Pediatrician Recommendation

[amberpcollins]

My children see Dr. Ferry at Sacred Heart Medical Group in Destin. He's also our family doctor but specializes in pediatrics and internal medicine. He's always very patient and listens to your concerns, doesn't rush you through the appointment and even called late one night to check on my (then 1 year old) daughter's high tempature. It's very rare to get a phone call from the doctor himself, much less after hours. Waiting times are never very long. He's great!

 

[Jdarg]

My children see Dr. Ferry at Sacred Heart Medical Group in Destin. He's also our family doctor but specializes in pediatrics and internal medicine. He's always very patient and listens to your concerns, doesn't rush you through the appointment and even called late one night to check on my (then 1 year old) daughter's high tempature. It's very rare to get a phone call from the doctor himself, much less after hours. Waiting times are never very long. He's great!

Yup, he is kinda awesome. He sees all of us as well.

 

[momof2kids]

Agreed. Also, Dr Viatore joined her practice back in the summer;he is an older pediatrician who recently moved to the area from Clearwater to be near his family. Since his practice is new, there are plenty of openings for new patients. For what it is worth, they both have privledges at Sacred Heart Hospital;none of the other providers listed above do. Their office is right next to Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, just a few miles from the west end of 30-A on HWY 98.

The down side to Sacred Heart though is it does not have a pediatrics unit. The peds doctors on Airport Rd in Destin are affiliated with FWB Med Ctr which does have a peds unit.

HOWEVER - if it's something major that is needed - Sacred Heart P'cola has an awesome peds program. Which is obviously associated with this local Sacred Heart...

Lots to consider...

 

[NSully]

welcome to the area!

We also have 2 girls and a (new baby) boy. I completely agree with the Dr. Fitzharris recommendation. We moved to the area in June '09, so I haven't needed her too much (thankfully but she is very relaxed and personable. Great location across from Sacred Heart Hospital.

 

[rblessed1031]

Thank you all very much. I would have assumed that all of the local doctors would have had rights at Sacred Heart, so that is a very important point to consider, even if it does not have a peds unit. I would think in an emergency, that would be the first place I would go. Lots to consider!!!

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

Yes, it has been very helpful that the E. R. doctors can consult with Dr. Fitzharris and then we can follow up with her later in her office. We've had a couple minor E.R. visits and a couple more serious where they considered admitting to the Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart in Pensacola. Keep in mind that most local hospitals in Panama City and Ft. Walton will most likely end up sending serious emergencies and illnesses to Pensacola because that is where most of the pediatric specialists are.

 

[Teresa]

We used Dr. Allen for a while and loved him. His office is in the heart of Destin - not my favorite place to travel for appointments of any kind - but our choice was limited just a few years ago. So, when Pediatricians started arriving in SoWal, I was more than thrilled. Now we have several excellent choices - and I've heard very good things about each of them.

Our choice is Dr. Patrick Ferry, Sacred Heart Medical Center at Destin/Miramar Beach on 98 - the drive is much shorter and doesn't go all the way in to Destin thankfully (and I can easily pick up Royal Orchid for dinner on the way home. haha)... I have been a patient at Sacred Heart Medical Center for many years - and have used several excellent doctors there - I place my trust in Sacred Heart for many reasons. Dr. Ferry joined the staff a few years ago - nice to have a Pediatrician on the staff who is also an internist for people of any age. we can all call on him! (also its important to note that Sacred Heart Medical Group is fully equipped with lab and xray facility. Many other local docs are associated with Sacred Heart Medical Group at several locations including our Sacred Heart Hospital - which is nice for women's health care and other specialties. Hospital lab is right there and so wonderful!

btw, when my child was in Dr Allen's care, we were referred to a pediatric specialist in Pensacola for a specific problem - and everything worked out beautifully. we're so fortunate to have such a range of local peds to choose from locally - plus outstanding pediatric specialists available just over an hour away. (Pensacola is also home to many outstanding specialists in the area of women's health (breast cancer) and other areas).


Patrick Ferry, M.D.
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Phone Number: 850-837-0032
Sacred Heart Medical Group at Destin
36500 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541

 

[30A Skunkape]

The down side to Sacred Heart though is it does not have a pediatrics unit. The peds doctors on Airport Rd in Destin are affiliated with FWB Med Ctr which does have a peds unit.

HOWEVER - if it's something major that is needed - Sacred Heart P'cola has an awesome peds program. Which is obviously associated with this local Sacred Heart...

Lots to consider...

True, no dedicated peds unit, however, pediatric patients who require surgery that requires an overnight stay are concurrently cared for by one of the Sacred Heart pediatricians. Also, many expecting parents like to meet their potential pediatrician before delivery...and those who select Fitzharris and Viatore can enjoy their postpartum care in the popular SH Emerald Coast newborn nursery which is far and away the nicest unit in this area.

 

[HelenM]

Welcome to the area!

I absolutely LOVE Dr. Sprenkle and her nurse, Denise (at White Wilson in Destin). They are both incredibly patient, and very reassuring. We have also used Dr. Allen a few times when Dr. Sprenkle wasn't available (our son has had some respiratory issues) and he was very professional and thorough. Dr. King at White Wilson in FWB is also wonderful -- he even made follow-up phone calls to the doctors in the Destin office.

One of the nice things about White Wilson is that they have 3 pediatricians in Destin, 2 or 3 in FWB, and 2 or 3 in Niceville, so you can usually get seen by someone if you have a sick child.

 

[Deli Love]

Agreed. Also, Dr Viatore joined her practice back in the summer;he is an older pediatrician who recently moved to the area from Clearwater to be near his family. Since his practice is new, there are plenty of openings for new patients. For what it is worth, they both have privledges at Sacred Heart Hospital;none of the other providers listed above do. Their office is right next to Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, just a few miles from the west end of 30-A on HWY 98.

We use Dr. Viatore with the girls. He sits down and talks to us about both girls and he listens. We had a rather bad time with Nevaeh early last year and he was the only Dr. near enough that we trusted. He listens and doesn't over medicate. That was a real selling point with us because she had to be on so much medication right after the accident.