Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which doctor I see in the office?
Yes, (at least most of the time).  Obviously, sometimes your doctor will be on vacation or already fully "booked" for a certain day.  One nice thing about Pine Street is that if your doctor is unavailable you can still see someone else within the group.

Can I always see the same doctor, even at night and on weekends?
On nights and weekends we do take turns "on-call" for emergencies for our patients.  Fortunately, we virtually always cover our own patients, so Pine Street kids do not need to go to other practices when their doctor is unavailable.

What are the advantages of a group practice?

• First is the increased coverage a group can offer.  We are in the office seven days a week, and a doctor from Pine Street is available for our patients for emergencies 365 days a year.
• Second is the issue of fast second opinions.  All of the providers at Pine Street enjoy discussing medicine in general and our complicated patients in particular. Often one doctor or Ms. Brown will call in another doctor (or two or three) to see a given child.  Every day we meet to discuss all of the hospitalized patients, as well as our other patients with challenging problems.
• Third, as a group practice we can afford the best and latest technology, including in office flow cytometry blood count analysis, otoaccoustic audiometry for newborn hearing testing, visual evoked potential vision screening for children as young as six months old, and much more.

Do you accept Medicaid patients?
Yes.  We accept Medicaid with no restrictions at all.

Is a doctor always available for a Pine Street patient?
Yes.  After hours and on weekends we usually have a nurse or nurse practitioner available to answer telephone calls.  Those patients who only want to speak directly to a doctor can always ask the nurse for the doctor on call.

I don't want antibiotics every time my child gets sick.  How do you prescribe?
Conservatively, but rationally.  We couldn't agree more that antibiotics are grotesquely over-used..  We do not give antibiotics for viral infections.  It is our general policy (with very few exceptions) to never "call in" an antibiotic.   For more information on the subject please see the free brochure in our office "Your Child And Antibiotics."

Which hospitals do you go to?
All of the doctors are on full active staff at Benedictine and Northern Dutchess Hospitals.

I'm adopting a baby. When should I come in for the first visit?
The sooner the better! Pre-adoption and pre-natal visits are encouraged. Request a Pre-Adoption Visit

I'm pregnant, when should I come to meet my pediatrician?
Same answer as above: The sooner the better!  Pre-adoption and pre-natal visits are encouraged. Request a Prenatal Visit

What can I expect at a well child check-up?
For a list of our current schedule of immunizations and routine tests click here.

Tell me more about Pine Street Pediatrics.
To read about our practice philosophy or provider's biographies click here.

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