We've picked a pediatrician...

After an interview and such we have decided to go with Dr. Mari Smith-Evans at Pediatric Associates of the NorthwestThe clinic is great and we really like Dr. Evans-Smith. Here are the questions we asked and the answers that we got from her:
1. What are your hours? Do you offer evenings or weekends?
The office is open Monday – Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm and on weekends in the mornings (though this is mostly for sick children only, well-baby appointments are to be scheduled Monday-Friday). Dr. Smith-Evans is in the Portland office 2 days a week and in the Lake Oswego office 2 days a week. Dr. Pilar Buerk is her partner doctor and they always have one of them in each office and work very well together. Dr. Buerk would be the one to help if Dr. Smith-Evans is on vacation/busy/in the other office. For after hours calls late at night the clinic’s office sends their pediatric RN’s to Emmanuel Hospital to answer calls.

2. Do you offer same day sick appointments? How far in advance should well baby appointments be made?
If your baby is sick the office will make sure to get you in that day. If it sounds urgent they will get your baby in within the hour, if getting your baby in within the hour isn’t possible but sounds necessary then you would be sent to another doctor in the practice or (emergency only) to the hospital. Most appointments in the first year at at predictable increments and you will be asked to make those appointments when checking out from the one that you are at (for example if we are at our 2 month appointment we would be asked to make our 4 month appointment upon checking out) to ensure that we get a time and day that works. Summertime (July & August specifically) are the busiest times of year.

3. Do you respond to email questions? Do you accept calls for non-emergency and/or routine questions? If I leave a message how long does it take you to respond?
Yes she has email that she responds to. If an email is sent a response will be given by the end of the day. If the matter is urgent or if there is time please call instead. If a message is left then either the doctor or an RN will call back within an hour unless the message states that it is not needing an immediate response.

4. Will your initial meeting with my baby be at the hospital or at the 1st check-up? If it will be at the hospital, how soon after birth will you arrive?
If it is a normal vaginal delivery and the baby does not have complications then Dr. Smith-Evans will come for a check up the following day and Dr. Buerk will come by the day after. The first well baby check-up will be on day 5 or 6 at the clinic. If you have a c-section or the baby has complications then both Dr. Smith-Evans & Dr. Buerk will come to the hospital 3-4 times (total) as well as the follow up well baby appointment at the clinic.

5. What is your schedule for well baby check-ups? How often do you typically see a baby in the first year & why?
5th or 6th day, 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, and then yearly from then on for general check-ups and immunizations. Obviously this is a generalization and there may be more appointments if your child needs to come in due to illness or something unexpected.


6. What is the normal length of an appointment? Are they 15-20 minutes apart or 20-30?
There is not a general length. When you make your appointment the receptionist will ask you if you have a lot of questions or will need extra time to speak with the doctor and will block out the time accordingly. If you want a longer than “normal” appointment then you will easily be accommodated and if you are running behind and need to be quick this will also be accommodated.

7. Is there an extra charge for advice calls? No. Is there an extra charge for after hours calls? No. Medication refills? No. Filling out forms? No. Are immunizations extra or part of the visit? This is based on your insurance and you would need to ask them.

8. How often do you send patients to the emergency room? How often do you prescribe antibiotics? Do you support natural and/or homeopathic alternatives?
A child is not sent to the emergency room unless the doctor truly believes that it is an emergency that cannot be handled in clinic. Antibiotics are NOT the first line in defense but are prescribed if they are deemed necessary. Dr. Smith-Evans supports homeopathic and natural alternatives but having no training in them specifically she would suggest an outside homeopathic practitioner.

9. What are your views on breast feeding? Do you have a lactation consultant that you refer people to?
Yes she VERY STRONGLY supports and suggests exclusive breast feeding for at least the first year, however, if for some reason that should not be an option she will not put unwarranted pressure or judgment on me and would help choose a formula that would come as close to breast milk as possible. There is a certified lactation consultant who works full time at the clinic (she’s one of the RNs that works at Emmanuel).

10. If I suspect that I have PPD do I bring that up with you?
You may, as a pediatrician Dr. Smith-Evans wouldn’t be able to help MUCH but she has several people that she could/would refer me to.

11. What tests are handled in office and which are handled outside of the office?
With a full lab in office all blood work can be done right there, other tests would go through St. Vincent’s or Legacy Good Samaritan.

12. How long have you been at this practice and how long do you plan to stay here?
Dr. Smith-Evans has been at this practice for 17+ years and plans on staying for another 20+.