Pediatrics
Telephone: 203-432-0206
Fax: 203-432-0072
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 5:00 pm. During the academic year, extended hours are available on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00 - 6:45 pm.
Location: 17 Hillhouse Ave., 3rd floor
Our services | Appointments | Our staff | FAQs
Our services
We are here to help you keep your child healthy, as well as to provide high quality routine and urgent medical care. If your child needs medical care beyond the scope of our department, referrals are made by your primary care clinician to pediatric specialists at the Yale School of Medicine and other facilities in the community.
Because establishing a relationship with your primary care clinician (PCC) is the most effective way of using the services at Yale Health Plan you have been assigned a PCC upon enrollment. When you call to arrange care, if your primary care clinician is not available, you will still be able to receive care from the other physicians or nurse practitioners in the department. The nurse coordinator is readily available to assist in your care as well. If you would prefer to see a clinician other than the one assigned, you may request a change by coming in to or calling Member Services (203-432-0246). Please do not hesitate to contact a Member Services staff member should you have any additional questions about PCC assignment.
Advice
If you have questions or need advice concerning child care, illness, or other issues, please call 203-432-0206 and press 4 for the nurse during regular business hours. Nights and Weekends please contact Urgent Care at 203-432-0123. Many routine needs can be handled over the phone and we are happy to help.
Sick visits:
If your child needs to be seen due to an illness or injury, call 203-432-0206 to schedule a "sick visit." Your child will be seen within 24 hours and usually on the day that you call. If you are not sure whether your child needs to be seen, please call for advice. A pediatric nurse will call you back promptly.
Early Morning Phone Consultations
- Phone consultations are available beginning at 7:30 am on weekdays.
- Nursing staff is available to provide assessments and can offer same-day or next-day visits when needed.
Weekends
- Pediatricians see our patients in Urgent Care on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
- During other hours and on holidays, one of our pediatricians is always on call 24/7/365 for the care of our pediatric patients and families.
- Call the Urgent Care Department (203-432-0123) to contact our clinical staff.
Appointments
- Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- During the academic year, extended hours are available on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 6:45 pm.
Classes
We offer Newborn Education and Breastfeeding classes for our patients and their partners.
Our staff:
| Chief: | Douglas Idelson, MD |
| Manager: | Cheryl Carden, RN |
| Clinician staff | Nurses |
| John Blanton, MD | Cheryl Carden, RN |
| Michelle Brei, APRN | Cris Donovan, RN |
| Joanne Burger, MD | Susan Dougherty, LPN |
| Jane Milberg, APRN | Kathy Scholz, RN |
| Carol Morrison, MD | Susan Surdykowski, RN |
| Michelle Serlin, MD |
Administrative Support
Maria Foley; Mary Mulqueen, Receptionists
Kimberly Marcarelli, Senior Administrative Assistant
FAQs
- When do you recommend children have check-ups?
We recommend regular checkups at the following ages:- 1 week / 2 weeks
- 2 months / 4 months
- 6 months / 9 months
- 12 months / 15 months
- 18 months / 2 years
- Yearly through adolescence
More frequent visits may be recommended by your clinician.
- What should I do if I am transferring your child's care to Yale Health Plan?
Please bring in a copy of your child's past medical and immunization records on or before your first visit. We will include the information into his/her medical record here. Immunization records are vital for school attendance and we can facilitate form completion if we have them at the time of the office visit with you. - Do you offer appointments before delivery of a newborn?
We are available to talk with you before delivery and encourage the expectant couple to make an appointment with one of our clinicians before delivery. We can answer your questions regarding physical and emotional preparations for your baby, care of your newborn in the hospital and the expected plans for office visits in the first few months. - I jusy had a new baby. When should I come in?
When you have a new baby, we ask that you call our office within a few days after the birth to schedule your first well-child visit, which is between 7 and 10 days of age. Fell free to call us before that day regarding your questions about issues such as breast feeding and newborn care. Thereafter, well-child visits should be scheduled at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months of age as well as yearly aged 3 through adolescence.
A number of vaccinations against serious illnesses are given to children beginning at birth. We generally recommend immunizations based on the American Academy of Pediatrics, which are subject to change as new vaccines and vaccine combinations are available. Please ask us any questions you have about your child's immunization program. - A period of adjustment
Parents of newborns have many questions and we encourage you to discuss your concerns with the Pediatrics staff. Some common concerns of new parent include: - Adjusting to parenthood, including time management and sleep issues
- Understanding your infant's temperament
- Appropriate responses to a crying baby
- Breast feeding , infant nutrition, and healthy weight gain
- Basic safety issues inside and outside the home
- Making decisions about and evaluating infant care
- Can you give me tips about my toddler?
The world is an exciting place to a toddler. We can give you tips on keeping your child safe and healthy as he begins to move around and explore. Talk with us about: - Child-proofing your home
- Toy and care seat safety
- Developing healthy attitudes towards food
- Monitoring development, including motor and verbal skills
- Toilet training
- My child is getting ready for elementary school, what should I know?
As your child starts school and spends less time at home, you will want to make sure that he/she stays safe and healthy in both places. Some common concerns for school-aged children include:- Monitoring hearing and vision
- Dealing with separation - both for the child and the parent(s)
- Developing healthy relationships with peers
- Riding the bus or walking to school safely
- Sports recreation and after-school safety
- Healthy approaches to television and computer/ Internet use
- Developing healthy eating habits both at and away from home
- What are issues that you can assist me with my adolescent?
This is a time when children can begin to take some responsibility for their own care but still need the support and guidance of parents and other adults. Members of the Pediatrics staff are available to facilitate parent-child communication about the challenges teenagers face, from dealing with rapidly changing bodies to confronting issues such as substance abuse. In addition, you may want to talk about: - Workplace health and safety issues (including hours) for teens working after school
- Driving safely
- Developing healthy attitudes about sexuality
- Discouraging risky behaviors
- Encouraging positive behaviors - such as health diet and exercise patterns- that can minimize adult-onset illnesses
- Planning for college and/or career
- Separation issues for adolescents and parents
- Making decisions about gynecological care for young women
- Do you perform camp/sports physical exams?
To enroll in many camps require a physical exam within the previous 12 months. Please schedule these exams 3 to 4 months in advance so we may update all necessary information and immunizations on the required camp forms. Many sports programs have the same requirements. - How much time do you need to complete a health form?
The Pediatrics Department handles hundreds of forms each year. While we try to have the forms completed within one week, the bulk of our forms come during the summer and it may take up to 2 to 3 weeks to process them at that time. With each form please include: the child's name and address, your daytime phone number and how you want the forms returned to you and by what date you need them. - Are there any internet resources for more information?
