When your child is sick, you want to talk with a nurse right way, get an appointment fast, and barely sit down in the waiting room. When your child is well, you want her to get her shots on time. We're here to make sure it all happens.

Same-day Appointments
When you call, you can talk with a clinical staff member right away about what's wrong with your child.

For acute problems, such as fever, flu, ear pain or ongoing cold symptoms, we will find your child an appointment the same day you call. One of our locations is open each weekday evening, and our Oshtemo location is open on Saturdays for urgent appointments.

It is helpful to have the following information ready when you call:

• Highest temperature, current temperature and how long it has lasted
• Symptoms and how long they have lasted
• Medications: types, doses, when they were taken
• Chronic illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes
• Allergies, including drug allergies

If the provider you request is not available or your child's problem is urgent, another Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics provider will be glad to see you. One of our providers is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emergencies.

For your convenience, X-ray and lab services are available on site weekdays during business hours.

Well Child Visits are Important, Too
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends frequent visits for infants, and annual visits for all children age two and older (except healthy seven- and nine-year-olds).

Well Child Visits are especially important if your child has an ongoing health condition or takes medication regularly.

At these visits, we check your child's growth and development and give immunizations. The immunization rate for Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics patients (birth through age two) exceeds the state of Michigan goal to have 90 percent of children immunized by 2010.

Safety and Academic Readiness
We partner with Safe Kids Kalamazoo County to offer:

• Bell bike helmets-with a fitting by our clinical staff-for a minimal charge
• Car seat safety checks every month from April through October

We participate in the local Ready-to-Read program to make sure our patients get six free books by age five. It's part of the National Reach Out and Read initiative to promote literacy.

Quality
Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics received the 2005 Certificate of Superior Performance from the Medical Group Management Association.

What that means for you is faster appointments, shorter wait times and better care for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pediatrics really a specialty?
Yes. Pediatrics is a branch of medicine dealing with the development, care and diseases of children from birth through the teen years. Pediatricians are doctors with specialized training who are considered primary care doctors for children and adolescents.

We also have nurse practitioners and physicians assistants specializing in the care of children.

Our practice is affiliated with The Children's Hospital at Bronson-the only children's hospital in southwest Michigan. There, infants, children and adolescents get the special care they need from experts in just about every area of children's health.

Bronson has children's specialists in such areas as surgery, cardiology, oncology and neurology, and staff trained to understand the unique ways illnesses and injuries affect children.

Should teens see a pediatrician?
Yes. Children can establish trusting relationships with their care providers by having regular Well Child Visits through age 18. We recommend that parents come with teens to our office and encourage parents to discuss concerns with us. But we suggest that teens see their provider alone. This builds upon the positive relationship they have established and allows a private, open discussion of concerns.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

One of our locations is always open each weekday evening, offering urgent care for our patients.  Please call to verify location.  In addition, our Oshtemo office is open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays for urgent care appointments.