Having been with CMG since our daughter was born (she is now 3.5, and we also have a son who is 18 months old), I remember feeling pretty much not very positive about the practice when our daughter was a few months old. I thought it was too big, that I couldn't see the same doctor on consecutive occassions when my child was ill and I had to take her in for a follow-up visit. Having said all of that, now that we are "old" patients, I ALMOST ALWAYS get to see Dr. Shearin (who is our ped) even for sick visits. This is because I've learnt to ask to see the doctor that I would like to see ... in other words, I call and ask if Dr. Shearin is available to see my children and for the most part, we have been able to get an appt to see him. I think the entire experience when your child is a newborn is overwhelming in many ways, and a big practice like CMG is hard to get to grips with. My advice would be to stick with it - we have been VERY happy there, and you learn quickly which doctors/nurse practitioners you like and those you don't. There are certain nurse practitioners at CMG whose advice I totally wouldn't trust and so, I just ask to speak to someone other than Nurse X; similarly there are certain doctors that I don't like -- actually only one thus far - Dr. Jones -- and so if he is the first doctor they suggest, I ask if someone else is available. The front desk staff are very accommodating, particularly as they get to know you - as with anything, it works best for they get to know you!

On the subject of which doctor, I think it's personal preference at the end of the day. We LOVE Dr. Shearin - he is definitely more "old school" but that said it's what works for us - he has a great rapport with our kids, is a good doctor, sensible and practical, not overbearing or prescriptive and pretty relaxed about things - that's what works for us! AND he always makes time to see us if he knows that our children are sick ...