We recently moved here from and excellent endo office in FL. We have seen the endo here in VA twice. He has not checked my son's feet, done the yearly labs needed - until I asked for them, not liked when I ask questions or adjust my son's bolus for the pump on my own as I have been trained. All the adjustments he makes throw my son's BG numbers off. He doesn't respond when I send in BG numbers for advice on adjustments. Basically feel like my son has fallen in the cracks.
I think it can be hard finding a new doctor. There are few "consumer reports" resources and when you ask a medical professional, often you don't get an answer. The staff at my diabetes center were under strict rules to not recommend or disparage any endo for fear that they would be "blackballed." I described some of my search methods looking for my current endo, perhaps my experience and comments from others will be helpful.
How old is your son? I would recommend getting to a children's hospital because they are going to have pediatric endos who are more familiar with T1 in children. There's a children's hospital in Richmond. There's one in DC too (not sure how far you are from DC) that has an excellend pediatric endo unit. If you're just going for regular check-ups every 3-6 months or so, the travel shouldn't be too difficult. They will also likely provide some remote support via email or phone when you need to make adjustments.
I agree, I think it unfair to ask anyone working at the doctor's office for information on doctors so as not to put their job in danger, or put them in an uncomfotable situation. I was hoping to find someone here that could help.
I might look into that. A trip to DC could turn into a great field trip, especially if we stay overnight. Could you give me the name of the doctor in DC?
There may well be better doctors in DC, but that is three hours away. It would be good to check out your local options. The link I gave you let's you look up specialists in the region. Sentara Hospital is also real close to you and has a find a doctor option.
When I looked, I found 4 pediatric endos at Children's Specialty Group Endo
Eric O. Gyuricsko, MD
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Childrens Specialty Group Endocrinology
601 Childrens Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507
Phone: (757) 668-7237
8.81
Reuben D. Rohn, MD
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Childrens Specialty Group Endocrinology
601 Childrens Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507
Phone: (757) 668-7237
8.81
Marta S. Satin-Smith, MD
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Childrens Specialty Group Endocrinology
601 Childrens Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507
Phone: (757) 668-7237
8.81
Shadi Tabba, MD
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Children's Hospital of King's Daughters
601 Children
Norfolk, VA 23507
Phone: (757) 668-7114
thank you!
Don't forget to follow the link I gave you and look up information on these doctors and see what reviews they have gotten.
I have no idea who is practicing there now, but if you call Children's National Medical Center, the can let you know. Went there as a kid, but it's been years. The good thing is that they have a whole team, CDEs, etc who are all knowledgeable in pediatric endcrinology. They also have satellite offices throughout the Metro area, so there may be someone in a NoVa office who is a little more convenient to where you are.
Personally, I think kids get the best care when they are seen within a "diabetes center" that can provide really comprehensive care specific to diabetes. These places can also become great resources for gaining access to other services.
Hi I highly recommend CHKD in Norfolk, They really have the rep of being a top notch facility. That and they are located very near to the Jones Institute here in Norfolk, which is one of the top Endo practices in the area.
Sentara is ANOTHER great option, my Endo is through SMG-Sentara Medical Group and they are a HUGE hospital in this area. I don't think however Sentara has any endo's specializing in Pediatric Endocrinology.
Also (sorry hahah can you guess Norfolk is "MY" city. Also CHKD and Sentara Norfolk General AND the Jones Institute are all located out by Eastern Virginia Medical School. So you really have a very good selection of very well qualified Dr's in the area. I do not think it is necessary to go to DC for health care.
Sorry not sure how familiar you are with the hospitals/groups etc in the area but the info bsc gave you for Childrens Specialty Group is the group of Dr's who practice with CHKD...or Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.
Just like SMG...Sentara Medical Group are the physician who practice directly with Sentara. Both are really great facilities with really good Dr's, just as I mentioned above if it were a child I'd go with CHKD. I do not believe SMG has a Pediatric Endo Specialist.
I've tried it a couple times, and the page is not working. I can google them though.
thank you!
the only pediatric ones I know of in the area are with CHKD. Thank you
I just came across this by doing a Google search. My son was diagnosed with diabetes last year, as was a coworker’s son. She has had a fantastic experience with CHKD Endicrinology, I am thoroughly disappointed with them. My son seems Nurse Practitioner Paula Raube at their Chesapeake office. They never answer the phone in person, never return messages, and consistently refuse to fax my son’s insulin regimen to me or his school nurse, and she needs that paperwork by law to administer his insulin. I even went there to pick up the forms, and they wouldn’t even come out to talk to me, instead had the receptionist put me on the phone with someone else, another voice mail line with no callback. I can’t find any other Doctors in the area who will treat a pediatric diabetic, so I’m going to take him to pediatric endocrinology in Richmond. Maybe they’ll be better. I hope.