By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
PALM CITY - When it comes to taking care of the area's smallest patients, little things count to the staff at All About Kids Pediatrics.
The Palm City office is an independent practice that delivers personalized care in a setting designed for comfort.
"We don't have straight-up exam tables, because we don't want kids to be scared when they come to the doctor," said office manager Patricia Cassidy. "Each room is themed to the community, with skate boarding, horse-back riding, school bus, fire truck, western, ocean and sports. It's great for children of all ages, from birth to adolescence."
Opened on Feb. 1, 2008 by 16-year pediatrician and mother of two, Dr. Kristen Walker, the practice's mission is to deliver superior care to children in Palm City and surrounding communities.
The practice has since tripled in size and welcomed onboard Dr. Amanda Peck and nurse practitioner Joan Gautreau.
Its physicians have previously worked for Martin Memorial Health System. But what they bring to patients is the ability to deliver personalized care in a small setting, the office manager said.
"We're a small practice. We're not hooked into to a huge corporation. This gives the pediatricians more freedom to practice medicine as they want to," Ms. Cassidy said. "We can perform circumcisions, frenectomy, treat attention deficit disorder and perform other medical procedures Other doctor offices might send patients to emergency rooms or urgent care cents. Our mission is to provide care to all of the adolescents and newborns in our community. We wanted it to be a smaller practice with more intimate relationships with the people in Palm City and the surrounding communities."
When it comes to payment choices, the practice accepts many different insurance plans and all state insurance programs are welcome. Patients seem to be taking notice.
The practice continues to grow and has increased its staff from three to 12, with hopes of adding another physician next year.
The doctors believe their practice's policy is simple: patient care comes first. For instance, the practice doesn't use a nursing service to field its after-hours calls, like some larger groups.
"If you call you will get one of the doctors. And if they have to meet you in the office on the weekend they will," Ms. Cassidy said.
All About Kids Pediatrics is located at 3573 S.W. Corporate Parkway, Palm City. For more information, call (772) 283-5431.