Woodstock Pediatric Medicine Excellence, Consistency and Compassion in Pediatric Care By Kathleen Boehmig At Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, people find excellence in pediatric medicine, but also compassion, caring and a lot of laughter and camaraderie. This isnt just a group of doctors. Its like a family. Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, providing pediatric care to the area for almost twenty years, is a comprehensive pediatric practice, providing well and sick child care to newborns and children from birth through the age of 21. There are six providers, with combined experience totaling more than 50 years in medicine: Drs. Maren Bear, Jordana Heaven, Adriana Rzeznik, and Frini Shah; and Shannon Dobson and Melanie Sprung, Nurse Practitioners. All physicians are board-certified pediatricians and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as the Medical Association of Georgia. We believe our first responsibility is to our patients, their needs and overall well being, says office manager, Kelly Marulanda. We realize that patients are the reason we exist, and we treat them professionally, with compassion, respect and dignity. Our pediatric practitioners are dedicated to treating the illnesses of children, as well as promoting good health, wellness and disease prevention, Kelly continues. Ease of access, prompt, courteous service and responsiveness to our patients concerns will always be our primary goal. Other goals are to offer an uncompromising level of medical care to meet the preventive, acute and chronic medical and emotional needs of children, and to ensure that their young patients en-joy longer, healthier and more productive lives. Their website (WoodstockPeds.com) states: Woodstock Pediatric Medicine shall utilize all levels of medical technology to ensure the best medical outcomes for our patients. We strive to maintain the highest quality physicians by board certification and maintaining continuous medical education. The practice has privileges at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, as well as Northside Hospital Atlanta, utilizing the team of in-patient pediatricians to care for patients during their hospital stay. These doctors are dedicated and fun-spirited. They are a cohesive team, too. We have each others backs, Dr. Bear declares. We are here for each other, as well as for our patients. If someone needs help, such as another pair of eyes or any kind of assistance with a difficult case, we know we can depend on each other. This combination of dedication and friendship is award-winning. Woodstock Pediatric Medicine was twice-voted Best Pediatricians in Woodstock by Family Life readers. Dr. Heaven, with the longest tenure at the practice (13 years), says one great advantage of Woodstock Pediatric Medicine is that its privately owned. So many pediatric practices have been bought out by hospital systems, and they are bound by rules that hinder their autonomy, she says. We dont have that problem. We all bring different skills and characteristics to the practice of medicine. We are able to treat our patients to the utmost of our abilities, to spend time with each one, talking with them and taking into account physical, as well as emotional issues and to establish long-term relationships with them. She continues, Our patients hold special places in our hearts, and I think the feeling is mutual. We go through major life events with them; we get invited to graduations and weddings. Its very rewarding. Its obviously rewarding for the patients, too, because Dr. Heaven sees over 100 second-generation patients. Dr. Bear agrees. Were very old-school here, she says with a smile. Sometimes we receive really sweet gifts, like glitter pinecones, homemade fudge or bags of vegetables. That sort of thing means a lot to us. Their reputation for excellence is far-reaching. Parents bring their children from all over the region, including Ellijay, Atlanta, Tucker and Paulding County. One family comes in for annual physicals during their summer hiatus from their missionary work in Thailand. Dr. Jesenko Vukotic bought the practice in 1998 and hired several of the doctors who still work at the location. His vision of high quality, compassionate care is still currently followed by the practitioners. Sadly, Dr. Vukotic passed away in 2011. The doctors and staff strive to live up to his ideals. In November, the office will begin their annual fundraising for lung cancer awareness to honor Dr. Vukotic and will be accepting donations. These pediatricians not only work hard to help their own patients, they gladly give back to the community and to the world. Each year during the holidays, they adopt families through Cherokee County schools, and donate meals and gifts to those in need. They participate in mission trips, providing medical supplies and services in Guatemala. Nurse Practitioner, Shannon Dobson, participates in fun runs, which benefit The American Lung Association, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, The American Cancer Society and The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. In addition, for 16 summers Dr. Heaven has run Camp Kudzu, which is a three-week-long diabetes clinic/camp for kids. Two hundred kids typically participate in Camp Kudzu. Sometimes were up until the wee hours, getting only three to four hours of sleep. Its exhausting, she says, eyes twinkling, but totally worth it. Kelly says, Our doctors continue to do their jobs well. We continue to provide consistently great service. We keep learning in order to be knowledgeable about the latest in medical advancement, while staying grounded and focused on each patients well-being. If theres a way we can help, we do, Dr. Heaven says. Seeing a need and being able to serve, and sharing our patients milestones and accomplishmentsthat reminds us that what we do is important. Woodstock Pediatric Medicine is providing an important service. They are helping their patients enjoy happier and healthier lives, while making a difference in their community and the world. Woodstock Pediatric Medicine2000 Professional Parkway, Suite 200Woodstock, Georgia 30188770-517-0250WoodstockPeds.comFollow them on Facebook: Facebook.com/pages/Woodstock-Pediatric-Medicine
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