Dr. Ahlstrom - reviews?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a teen girl with Dr. Ahlstrom at Chevy Chase Pediatrics? Any feedback, particularly if you had a bad experience? We have had to switch too many times because of cross continent moves and want to find someone great for my teen girl. I'd like her to develop a good relationship with a doctor so she has someone besides ourselves to talk to. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I had three two girls have Promise A for their ped (and have a 10yo now.) I think she is good - and I liked that she started seeing my girls without me in the room is they wanted (she asked and made it super easy for them to say what they wanted.)

I think if you have any issues the only caveat is that she is very laid back so may not be pushing and waits to see what is needed. For us - she was great

[Anonymous]

^^^ Sorry - 17:05 here. I have 3 girls - 2 were teens

[Anonymous]

I have boys so can’t speak to your specific need, but they’ve both been seeing Dr. Ahlstrom since birth and like her.

I agree with the PP about her being laid-back, although I think it’s intentional: she knows her audience—worried, over-involved upper NW parents—and wants to counter those impulses. I have heard from at least one parent who found this approach off-putting, but I’ve generally appreciated it.

She’s very conservative about prescribing antibiotics, which I like. She’s very progressive in matters of sexuality and makes herself open to teens to discuss sensitive issues.

She was also incredibly supportive through a couple of scary health situations when my kids were little; one of them needed surgery as an infant and the other had a health emergency when we were out of the country. She was completely available and incredibly helpful through both.

Finally, I’d note that one of the very best things about her practice is that all three of the doctors take patient calls for 30 minutes every morning. From what I understand from friends, this is VERY unusual. It’s a HUGE benefit and saved me from making quite a few unnecessary trips to the office over the years.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Cohen Pediatric and Young Adult Center in Bethesda. Cannot say enough good things about her and that center.

[Anonymous]

The entire practice is terrific--IF you have one of the few health insurance options they take or are self-paying.

[Anonymous]

She had been our sons pediatrician since birth. Agree she is verrrrry laid back. At times I might have wished she was a little more decisive with her instructions but probably because I was a new first time mom. When our son was born six weeks early she gave us her cell and urhed us to call her on vacation....so her availability and warmth more than make up for the slightly hippy dippy approach. I would certainly recoemd.

[Anonymous]

My girls have seen Promise since birth and she is the absolute best. We have been blessed not to have dealt with major health issues, but she is great at talking to kids, something I especially appreciate now as my girls are 9 and 12.

All of the drs there are great too, should you find yourself visiting one of them for a sick visit or talking to them in the middle of the night about a high fever.

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on the younger doctor in the practice - Dr. Delacroix? Is she also hippy dippy?

[Anonymous]

We've been going to Sabine de la Croix Vaubois for several years now. I love her and so do my kids. We see Dr. Ahlstrom sometimes when Sabine is out and also like her as well. Really appreciate the practice.

[Anonymous]

My 18 and 16 year old DD’s have been seeing Dr. Ahlstrom since they were born. She is terrific. Agree that she comes off as relaxed, but she is very smart. Over the years, she diagnosed each of my daughters with unusual health issues. When we later consulted specialists, it turned out that Dr. Ahlstrom’s diagnoses were spot on. She is also very available.

[Anonymous]

No teens yet, my oldest is 8, but we've been seeing Dr. Ahlstrom for years for our kids and love her. I am the least hippy, crunchy person ever, and I don't find her style off-putting at all. In fact, I quite like her and how she's not into just hearing two things and pushing you out of the room to move to the next patient. Our first pediatric practice felt like a factory - one where we almost never saw an actual doctor.

She's so patient - my second child had so much trouble eating as a baby and she called me several times from her vacation just to see how our new strategy was working and to help tweak it even from afar.

I also feel like she's been great about age-appropriate language regarding consent and agency and giving my oldest more opportunities for privacy and such as she gets older. She also never talks down to the kids or around them, which I think is really important as I want my kids to be able to talk openly to a doctor about anything that's going on. I feel like so many adults struggle with telling the full truth at the doctor, to their detriment.

[Anonymous]

We liked doctor Ahlstrom a lot but had to switch because we switched insurance companies.

[Anonymous]

I been to all the doctors in the practice for one reason or another (mostly timing of visits). It is a strong practice and Ahlstrom is amazing. The reality with peds is that the minute there is something more serious going on, you're out to a specialist. You need warm, comprehensive, on time, thoughtful and accurate. I find them all to be all of those things.