What should I do when my child is sick?
Unless it is an emergency, call us first! Dr. Amy will get back to you the same day, not "in 2-3 business days". When you call, you won't get scripted advice from a triage nurse, you'll be talking directly with your Pediatrician. You can even call us if you are worried about a sick kid in the middle of the night. Our office has same day and next day appointments available - including on weekends.
Since you will always talk directly with your Pediatrician, you can be sure you are getting the best care.
Since you will always talk directly with your Pediatrician, you can be sure you are getting the best care.
When should I take my child to Urgent Care?
Our patients almost never need to visit an urgent care. We can provide same day services at our clinic with the benefit of seeing a provider who already knows your child, and without having to worry about co-pays or billing. We use shared decision making to ensure the judicious use of medications and treatments, in a setting where you and your child can feel comfortable.
Should my child still be enrolled in a health insurance plan?
Yes! While we can provide most office based care here at Awesome Possum Pediatrics, we strongly recommend having health insurance in case of more severe illness or injury that requires Emergency Department or hospital care. Insurance can also help cover the cost if your child needs to see a specialist or have surgery.
My family has health insurance, why become a member of your clinic?
Membership in Awesome Possum Pediatrics is an investment in your child's health. Members have direct access to their Pediatrician. Forming an individualized relationship with your child's doctor allows for unparallelled continuity and quality of care. When visiting us, you never pay an additional co-pay or deductible. There are no hidden or surprise fees - you know what you are paying up front. With direct access, our patients rarely need to visit Urgent Care or the Emergency Department. Since clinic care is covered, many families can switch to a higher deductible plan with lower monthly premiums. We encourage you to schedule a meet-and-greet and discover for yourself the quality, personalized care we provide.
What ages do you care for?
As a pediatric clinic, we see patients from 0 - 18 years old. We can start seeing newborns as soon as they are home and continue to see adolescents through the end of high school. Our goal is to be with your family long term, to develop the personal relationships that are so important for trusted, quality medical care.
How do I get started?
First, reach out and contact us! We are easily available by phone or email. We would love to talk with you about what you are looking for in a pediatric clinic and discuss if Awesome Possum Pediatrics is a good fit for your family. You can also schedule a time to come in to see the office and meet Dr. Amy.
Expectant parents are encouraged to contact us for a free meet-and-greet visit as well. We would love to start looking after your new little one as soon as they arrive home.
Expectant parents are encouraged to contact us for a free meet-and-greet visit as well. We would love to start looking after your new little one as soon as they arrive home.
Do I need to enroll all of my kids at once?
We recognize that each family has unique healthcare needs, so we do not require that all kids in the household be enrolled simultaneously. However, there are advantages to having your family's pediatric care centralized at one place - especially when more than one kid gets sick! There is also a significant discount when enrolling multiple siblings. Check out our membership page for more information.
Be advised that for liability reasons, we cannot provide medical advice for anyone who is not a current patient.
Be advised that for liability reasons, we cannot provide medical advice for anyone who is not a current patient.
What should I expect during the first visit?
After the initial meet-and-greet, we will schedule a visit to establish care. This is a time to review your child's medical history and go over office policies. We want to know about things like past medical issues, medications and allergies, but also want to learn about your family in general. Don't be surprised if we ask questions about who lives in your household, your child's school or daycare, how well siblings get along, or what your child wants to be when they grow up. All of these details help us understand your child's unique temperament and environment we are better prepared to help support them as they grow and develop. My goal is to meet children for an initial visit to establish care when they are relatively healthy and thus more comfortable with meeting a new doctor. However, I know that illnesses do not keep a schedule, so if we need to "take a look in the ear" during that initial visit, we'll do that too.
For families with multiple members joining the practice, or those with young kids who get restless, we can schedule an initial visit with just the parent or caregiver. That way, the subsequent office visit can be shorter and focused directly on the patient.
For more complex and long term issues, it is often useful to address those concerns comprehensively at a subsequent visit. I avoid prescribing medication at the initial visit so I have time to review your records and history to make the best recommendations. Don't worry though - with fewer patients to care for, we have flexibility to schedule another visit as soon as needed - next month, next week, or even the next day!
For families with multiple members joining the practice, or those with young kids who get restless, we can schedule an initial visit with just the parent or caregiver. That way, the subsequent office visit can be shorter and focused directly on the patient.
For more complex and long term issues, it is often useful to address those concerns comprehensively at a subsequent visit. I avoid prescribing medication at the initial visit so I have time to review your records and history to make the best recommendations. Don't worry though - with fewer patients to care for, we have flexibility to schedule another visit as soon as needed - next month, next week, or even the next day!
What is the expected wait time at your office?
Since our clinic focuses on high quality care for a smaller number of patients, our wait time is minimal. For most appointments, there is no wait at all. No need to schedule months in advance for a visit, unless that is your preference. We keep same day and next day appointments readily available to see sick kids and take care of other urgent issues right away. Dr. Amy is also available by phone or secure message, every day! Since we schedule longer appointments at a manageable pace, you are not asked to arrive early to fill out cumbersome forms or see a medical assistant, your valuable time is spent directly with your Pediatrician.
How often should we to come in to see you?
Visit frequency is individualized depending on your needs, situation, and preferences. While minimum recommendations are for patients over 3 years old to have a check-up once per year, that seems pretty stingy to us. Given how much can be done with preventative care, it is great to check in before problems arise. Because our clinic is not tied to insurance billing, we can see patients as often as needed, and in a variety of ways, with no additional cost. Some questions can be adequately answered over the phone and sometimes an office visit is better. At Awesome Possum Pediatrics, we have the flexibility to work with you to help keep your family healthy.
Do you see patients for a second opinion or consult type visit?
We are not set up for one time visits or consultations. The goal of our office is to be your child's medical home base for comprehensive primary care services over many years. Providing the best quality of care requires an ongoing relationship with our patients and and in-depth understanding of their unique circumstances.
What if we are expecting a baby and want to join your practice?
Congratulations! For expectant parents, we offer a free prenatal visit with Dr. Amy to start the process of getting to know each other.
What is your stance on vaccines?
Vaccinations are one of the most important things we do in pediatrics! By vaccinating, we are helping protect our kids and our community against potentially deadly diseases. We follow the national ACIP/CDC childhood vaccination schedule which is reviewed and updated annually. I welcome open conversations with caregivers about any concerns or questions they have about vaccines, for we all have the same goal - to keep kids healthy!
Do you accept Medicaid/OHP?
By law, we are not able to see patients with OHP medicaid at this time. However, we are hopeful this may be an option in the future, so please contact us if you are interested in getting on our wait list.
Why are opossums awesome?
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The only species of opossum that lives wild in the US is the Virginia Opossum, living in several states in the Eastern US, as well as along the West Coast, including in Oregon. They are the only marsupial native to the United States. Like other marsupials such as kangaroos, juvenile opossums are called joeys and mature in their mother's pouch. When they are old enough, the joeys leave the pouch and then are frequently seen hitching a ride on their mothers' backs. Opossums are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night and can often be seen out foraging for food.
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Opossums are omnivorous, eating a wide variety of foods including fruits, plants, eggs, insects and even human food scraps or pet food. Their appetite for insects, including ticks, helps to control these insect populations. Opossums are generally non-aggressive and not dangerous to humans. If threatened, they will hiss, show off their 50 teeth, or "play dead". Opossums are uniquely adaptable with an opposable thumb on their back feet and a prehensile tail which they can use to grab branches, collect leaves, or carry small objects.
What if I have other questions?
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Phone: (541) 229-5846
Fax: (541) 873-1733 |