Newburyport Pediatrics: Merkrebs Alice MD

21 Highland Ave, Newburyport, MA 01950, USA

Category:	Pediatrician
Address:	21 Highland Ave, Newburyport, MA 01950, USA
Phone:	+1 978-462-7108
Rating:	3.3

Location

Photos 1

Reviews 7

Tim Smith

Though we had positive interactions previously, our experience with this practice is defined by one incident. After pulling a deer tick off of our daughter and hearing TONS of first-hand horror stories (literally, when we mentioned Lyme disease EVERYONE had a story) about the (permanent, mind you) neurological and joint issues associated with undiagnosed Lyme disease, not to mention the notorious ambiguity in Lyme disease tests, we preferred to err on the side of caution. Dr. Merkrebs subscribes to (I believe it was) the CDC playbook which advocates not testing and withholding treatment if no symptoms are present. My wife asked the nurse practitioner about this CDC protocol and if there was any flexibility as time seemed to be of the essence with Lyme disease and we preferred to treat immediately (which the majority of doctors agree with in our experience) if there has been tick exposure. Apparently the NP took this personally and began to rudely explain the importance of the protocol: not helping her argument or our confidence in the practice was the fact that she needed to consult Google multiple times during the conversation. My wife asked the NP to please have Merkrebs call her back to discuss further. Merkrebs never called. Instead, she took it upon herself to call our previous pediatrician and berate him for prescribing antibiotics sight unseen! Which he had not done! It was hard for us to decide which was more unprofessional: letting a questionable protocol delay treatment of a potentially devastating ailment, not calling my wife back, an NP consulting Google for medical advice or Merkrebs berating a colleague. We have since switched to a more open-minded (and Lyme fluent) family practice. I will also be writing a letter to whatever regulatory board governs private practices. UPDATE: Unfortunately I have to continue the review as the office has, due to either spite or gross incompetence, taken over two months to transfer my childrens medical files to our new doctor. Now, this may seem trivial but my children are attending summer camps and with the medical records in limbo we cant provide the proper documentation required by the camps. Only with the threat of legal action and significant intervention by our new doctor did the records arrive (one day before camp begins). Keep in mind the request was made over two months ago and the required payment was provided at that time. My opinion is that folks should look elsewhere for a family practice unless they are interested in care being subordinate to dogmatic adherence to rigid and questionable protocols. FURTHER UPDATE: One of my children has tested positive for Lyme using the Western Blot. Had we followed the CDC protocol, and more importantly, the advice of Dr. Merkrebs, we would never have known as she was the only one of our three children for whom symptoms NEVER presented...the CDC suggests no tests be conducted until symptoms present. My fear is that this protocol is largely penned by insurance companies and most doctors lack the courage to do the right thing and adhere to their Hippocratic oaths. EVEN FURTHER UPDATE: Initially, my review was the only one available. It seems somewhat likely this was noticed and a little encouragement was given to prod some patients into providing reviews. Not saying their experiences were not positive, but the reviews (except for the ear issue) are puffy and lack substance. Our experience was a real-world example of this practice in action, we werent interested in rainbows and unicorns, only performance in a potentially serious situation.

Rena Taber

Dr. Merkrebs is an amazing, kind and caring person and Doctor. She is very thorough in all she does. She listens to and answers all questions and concerns making sure we feel comfortable with every situation. My son suffered from chronic ear infections and everyone in the office was very helpful. With sporadic times of unbearable pain the office staff was very flexible with fitting us in quick to get relief. Many nights and weekends Dr. Merkrebs reached out to us to check on my son after being seen in the office. She has continued this caring professionalism for the past 8 years. I continue to have the pleasure of having Dr. Merkrebs care for 3 of my children as well as my granddaughter and I would never go anywhere else.

Tess G

They rush through your appointment misdiagnose. When a patient says they have had a 103 fever for 5 days there a good chance its more then a head cold like they told me. I brought her to the er it turned out to be pneumonia ear infection and the flu. They generally dont take enough time to listen. as well as miss read files, and they gave my daughter a immunization when it wasnt needed then when they realized it they said it was fine and rushed off to there next patient with no apologie for there mistake. I didnt give them a third shot to mess up I move my children out of her practice

megan stockbridge

As a first time mom picking a doctor for my little one was scary and I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. When we had our first apt everyone was excited to see her and get to know not just her, but her father and I as a family. Dr. Alice took the time to learn as much about us as possible and made the experience amazing. At our second apt we were given a personalized gift for our baby and we sat and talked for a decent amount of time. I have no intentions on going anywhere else with our baby as long as shes still practicing.

Jasmine MacDonald

We mostly see the NP Joan, and can I just say-she is FAB! The most caring and thorough experiences we have ever had. We left CHC to come be a part of this awesome small practice that takes their time with each child. Old school office with old school values but new age approach on treatment. Cant thank all of the women at the practice enough for getting my 3 girls through the last few months.

Lyssa Lacey

Unhelpful and lazy staff, I had to continue to hound them for a week to fax over immunization forms for school and was never confirmed when it was finally sent over. Also very frustrating they do not communicate though emails with sending forms, you have to send it through the mail or fax, as if everyone has a fax machine handy and has time to wait for the postal service!! Ugh

Aimee Chinyanga

I see Joan now....she is so amazing and caring to my boys.....never wanna see anyone else...