New Pediatric Patients
Let our family serve your family!
What to Expect
Expect expert medical care from highly trained physicians and providers. Expect to talk to a person when you call, not a machine. Expect round the clock care from our doctors who answer your late night phone calls. Expect to be treated with kindness and respect. Expect short wait times. Expect same day appointments for your sick child. Expect your concerns to be heard and addressed. Expect us to help you when your child faces medical obstacles, and to celebrate with you as your child reaches milestones. Expect the best for your child.
Questions
You probably have some questions as you search for a pediatrician. Here are some things to consider as you do your research. If you have questions we didn't cover here, call us any time and we'll get you some answers! 515-255-3181
I'm New to All of This!
This is my first child and I'm not sure what to do. How do I even get started on all of this? You simply need to decide on a pediatrics office for your child before the child is born. We'll walk you through the rest, one step at a time. If you are expecting very soon, after your delivery in the hospital someone will ask you who your pediatrician is. Just tell them DSM Peds. That's it. They'll call us, we'll come meet you, and you've done everything you need to do. If you are expecting a little down the road, we invite you to meet with one of our caring doctors so you can see for yourself how we work. No pressure, nothing to prepare for the meeting. You can also speak over the phone with us at any time if you have a tight schedule and can't come pop in to meet us in person.
What happens after I decide that your doctors are the doctors I want to take care of my growing family? We're with you from Step One, at whatever stage in life you are in.
Expecting? We'll meet you at the hospital within 24 hours of your child being born. Not many pediatricians offer this service anymore. Other offices will send someone who works for the hospital, and not your pediatrician's office, to assess your child after birth. At DSM Peds, the same doctors who will take care of your child for years to come, will meet your child right after birth in the hospital. We are with you from Day One through to the young adult phase.
New to town? We'll help you get necessary records transfered from your previous location and will get you up and running in Des Moines.
Switching from another office in the area? You aren't alone. Some of our parents and families tell us they came here after experiencing long wait times in waiting rooms, inability to schedule appointments for several days out on the calendar, and just not feeling a good connection with other places. We are a family here, not a huge corporation, and you'll feel the difference from the moment you walk in to our office.
Concerns for Down the Road
How quickly can you schedule an appointment when my child is sick? Some offices will promise that you'll get in quickly, but then schedule your appointment for days out on the calendar. We will get your sick child in to see a provider at one of our locations on the same day you call, especially if you call in the morning.
What do I need to think about when it comes to the medical care of my child? Many things, that will vary depending on the stage of life your child is in, and your particular family and patient history. But one thing that can put your mind at ease - a Continuity of Care model. The same doctors that come to the hospital when your child is born, are the ones you'll see in our offices, AND they are the same doctors who will take your phone calls on nights and weekends when you have after-hours concerns and questions. This is important because our providers treat the entire patient, and not just the current symptoms. We know your family, your child, and your history, and can see where you have been and where you are headed next in your medical care.
How We Work
We offer compassionate, expert medical care in a comfortable environment with two locations for your convenience.
Our Mission
Des Moines Pediatrics’ mission is to deliver the highest standard of health care to children of all ages. Established in 1958, our practice has a long tradition of pediatrics in our community. All of our pediatricians are Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and are members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each physician receives continuing education credits well above the annual minimal requirements. We strive daily to deliver the highest quality of care, and to be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of both the child and the family. We are a family-oriented pediatric practice.
Continuity of Care
The practitioners at Des Moines Pediatrics believe that continuity of care enhances our ability to work with you to keep your children healthy and help them recover when they are ill. Our commitment to continuity of care means that we see your child for sick and well visits, in our clinic locations and at the hospital, and we are available by phone any time day or night. We are with you at every step. One of our pediatricians will see your baby in the hospital nursery shortly after birth. We also take care of our own patients when they are admitted to the hospital for an illness. The same doctors you see in the office will answer your phone calls after business hours. When necessary, we help you navigate comprehensive care with a wide variety of pediatric specialists. Round the clock care, inside and outside of our office, are the hallmarks of our continutity of care promise to you.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
To help expedite the first appointment, we ask that you please bring your child's immunization records and be prepared to complete paperwork regarding your family medical history, your child's medical history, and insurance information.
Patient Forms & Transferring In to Our Clinic
Want to save time when you get here and complete forms before you come in? Just click to download them, type right on the form, then print them and bring them in to your first appointment. You can also fill them in by hand if you prefer.
- If you are moving from a different location or clinic to our office, we'll need your child's previous medical records. Our medical providers need to see previous diagnoses, treatments, vaccines, etc. so they know where to start based on where you have been. Don't worry - we are here to help you through this process! When in doubt, call 515-255-3181 and ask for Nancy! She knows or can figure out anything, and is unfailingly friendly and great to work with. If you want to get started on your own, here are the steps to take when transfering records to us:
- Call us and tell us you want to switch to us. (Thank you for choosing us!)
- We'll get you an appointment for a couple of weeks out on the calendar to ensure we have enough time to transfer in your child's previous records.
- Call your previous place and ask if they need you to use their medical release form, or if you can use our request form. Also ask if we can submit the request, or if you need to. Offices policies can vary so we don't know what your previous clinic will need. If they want you to use their form and for the request to come from you, ask for the form, fill it out, and submit it to them.
- If they will accept our request form, download it here or swing by any of our locations and ask a front desk staff member for a copy. If you bring in the completed form to us, or come in and ask us for one and complete it in our office, we can fax it over to your previous location for you.
- And remember...When in doubt, call 515-255-3181 and ask for Nancy!
Medical Record Release
- Your child’s medical records are kept confidential, consistent with HIPAA.
- In the event you should need a copy or wish to transfer records, we require parent, guardian or patient (18 and older) written consent.
- Here is the medical records release form. Please print it out, sign it, and bring it to any of our locations. You may also mail the form in, but please allow more time for processing. We cannot accept an email version because we need your original signature.
- There is a minimal fee and 10 business days to process your request.
- We are happy to provide copies of well child exams and immunization records, complete sports and camp forms, and any other health related statements you require.
- Please provide us 24 hours’ notice to compete your request.
Directions
Appointment Request
Schedule an Appointment
Call 515-255-3181 to schedule an appointment.