Lexington Pediatrics Assoc

We moved to Lexington and found a doctor at Lexington Pediatrics as it seemed most kids in Lexington went to this practice. It was also right near our house and seemed conveinent. I agree with the other posts that the office staff are awful. I think it takes a special person to work with children and I recognize that a pediatrician's office can often go hand-in-hand with anxious mothers, loud and cranky kids, etc. But, the front desk staff were just terrible. They always seemed annoyed that you were there checking in and the staff on the second floor acted as if you were bothering them when you checked in, despite the fact that there is a sign instructing you to check-in upon arrival on the second floor. One NP literally sighed and rolled her eyes at my two-year old who was crying due to a double-ear infection while waiting for us to walk down the hall (my daughter was nervous about having her painful ears checked again and wanted to be held...I was juggling a bag, my purse, our jackets and then went to lift her up and the nurse stood there rolling her eyes and sighing). This same daughter also had 6 ear infections in less than 6 months (more than 10 for the year) and I was the one who actually had to suggest that maybe it was time for tubes given some speech delays. I was told that she may not need it, but given our insurance I could follow-up myself with a specialist. I had her into the specialist and booked for tubes within two weeks. The surgeon came out to us after her surgery and let us know that she desparately needed the surgery and the fluid behind her ears was as thick as glue. It was really after I felt there was absolutely no continuity of care that we decided to leave the practice. My daughter's speech delays were identified months prior to her tube surgery and not one doctor that we saw for the ear infections asked about her speech or made any kind of connection between the ear infections and the speech delays. We literally were not sleeping in my house for months and they just kept prescribing antibiotics and sending us on our way. The practice is so large that the doctors never remember my girls' names and we hardly ever get to see their primary care physician (even for yearly physicals which are scheduled far in advance). My four-year old went in for a flu shot and was really nervous about the needle and the nurse giving the shot didn't try to comfort her with a smile or reassure her that it was only a small pinch. She just sighed and asked me to hold her arms down and left without telling her she did a good job. There are a few good doctors there (Dollinger, Berman (NP), Dr. Arthur, Gine-Nokes...but the overall treatment of patients and parents are not worth it when there are excellent doctors elsewhere. We left the practice after my daughter's tube surgery upon the recommendation of the surgeon who performed my daughter's surgery. He felt it was pure neglect that they did not consider tubes and kept brushing us off with antibiotics. She hasn't had an ear infection since, her speech has improved (with the help of her therapist, too) and she is a much happier little girl! more

I have been taking my children to this practice for 8 years and have been shocked and disappointed for all of those years by how bad the check-in staff is. Every time I need to call to make an appointment I have to brace myself to get past them. After each visit, I tell myself that it is the last! The doctors are fine, but we often have long waits with no apology. When we started going here there were coloring sheets for the kids, but I haven't seen them in years and there are very few books or toys to occupy the kids during the long waits. With out a doubt, the worst part of the practice are the receptionists who check people in. They are terse and treat you as though you are really a bother. No amount of friendly banter can wear their bad attitudes down. If you can find another practice for your children you should. more

This was a terrible experience for me. Not even the doctor's great attitude was able to make me feel good about this place. The receptionists (both of them) are absolutely RUDE- especially the one inside. I really tried to be nice, smile, be EXTRA polite, thinking they were having a bad day, we all have them, right? But no, I really thought they hated me! Then on my second visit, I was scared of going... God, again the rudeness. It's this bad, really. I don't expect them to give me candy when I go there, or even smile- just be polite. I'm out of there. I really think they are driving people away, and I don't know why the doctors don't do something about it. more

We started going here a year and a half ago after moving from California. My kids have been sick this past year and we've never had a problem getting in on the same day, usually at a time that works for me and my part-time work schedule. Because we're often asking for a same day sick child appointment, we've been exposed to at least 5 of the doctors on staff and for the most part they have all been wonderful. Drs Palant, Worhnam, and Gine-Nokes are the best. They took the time to listen to me, thoroughly examine the children, and discuss treatment options. They've even called afterward to follow up and see how we're getting on I have also had a good experience with the nurses, particularly nurse practitioner Berman. As other reviews noted, there is often a long wait time, which can be nerve wracking when you have to pick up another child at school or get back to work, so I try to pad my schedule and allow extra time at the start to hunt for parking and at the end in case we run late. I have not had a problem with receptionist staff. I did have one issue where I called to confirm an appointment I thought was for the next day and was told ""it's today, in 45 minutes"" whereby I rushed out the door with my baby still in his PJs. When we got to the office, we learned the appointment was indeed for the next day, but they squeezed us in anyway (but I had to wait about 35 mins). Overall I have had a very positive experience. Oh, and I like that they are affiliated with Children's Hospital, so you can go to Lexington or Waltham hospitals if you need blood work or to see a specialist. Pros: Caring, professional doctors, always available Cons: Parking can be hard, office often running late more

My children have been patients of Lex Ped for 18 years--both with major, multiple problems. I have always been made to feel that they are a part of my family (especially Dr. Wornham) and that they care for the parents as well as the kids. They refer only to the top specialists. My children have always been seen the day I've called something I cannot say for my doctor. Are they perfect? No, but who is! Yes, this is a busy practice and the service may seem rough at times, but we've never been rushed in the examining room and all our questions have been answered. In addition, this practice cares about the Lexington community making themselves available at the schools when needed. Nuff said. I wouldn't have trusted by children to anyone else. Pros: Caring Doctors, Professional Cons: Busy, but you want them to be! more

Moved here about a year ago from out west with a 3 and 5 yr old and went to Lex Ped as it was easy and seemed like that is where people in Lexington took their kids. I should have read the reviews first. Terrible receptionists/staff, Docs that don't talk to your kids when they see them, that is if you don't get a nurse pract. as the docs are so ""busy"". I think the give away is that there are no toys or anything for kids to entertain themselves in the waiting room. We went to a different practice after 1 year. Pros: Location Cons: bad staff, docs not friendly more

I really want to bring them into court! Our time and efforts are nothing to them. They drove us crazy! I have never encountered such bad healthcare providers! more

I have been going here for 6 years. Most doctors are really good and err on the side of caution. Can't stand the receptionists. Agree with other review, that they are rude on the phone and talk about other patients while sitting in the waiting room. The gossip about families and its very unprofessional. I can here most things they are saying about patient's parents. Very unprofessional. In the last couple of years the wait time has become very long. Typically wait even with a scheduled appt. 30-45min to see doctors. There is not much of a wait if you see a nurse. I still go because I think the doctors are really good. Pros: great doctors Cons: Long waits, rude receptionists more

I was new to this practice and wasn't sure what to expect. The doctors have been very caring and thorough ( I have 3 children) but the admin staff is awful, really miserable. They act like they are doing you a favor when you call in. In fact, several times as I have been sitting in the waiting room, you can hear them talking about the how they were so annoyed with the phone call they just received- very unprofessional. Quotes like ""can you believe this mother?""....and then talking out loud about the patient. I am surprised that Dr. Palant ( the doctor that started the practice)-allows this. The practice needs some new energy in the admin staff for sure. Pros: love the doctors Cons: always seeing different doctors more

I have to agree with the other reviews, I wish I had read them before going to this practice. I am a working mom, and my schedule is very busy. Multiple times my appointments were rescheduled last minute- any working mom will tell you taking time off from work is hard to do, especially on short notice! I was very disappointed in the service that I received, there are so many other pediatric practices in the area that are very good. No need go through the hassles of this place! Pros: Location Cons: Unable to keep appointments, nurses not friendly, staff not helpful more

Terrrible pediatrics office: The doctors are just OK (not great, when they don't forget your child's name, even after you remind them, repeatedly), but worse still are the support staff of nurses and nurse practicioners and receptionists. The nurses are surly and don't even look at your child. And if you are unlucky enough to get one of the unprofessional receptionists on the phone, (after wading through the office mail system for 5 minutes), you get someone who barely knows her job. Avoid this place; it is a little bit of trash right in the heart of Lexington. Pros: Location Cons: Everything else more