Dr. Michelle Palella

Choosing a pediatrician can be a challenging task for parents. You want to find someone with the background and experience they need to provide the best care for your child, and someone with whom you and your child are both comfortable. There are many talented providers in our area, and you need to find the provider that feels right to you.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents ask the following questions when choosing among the pediatricians in their community:

• Is this pediatrician accepting new patients, and do they accept your insurance plan?

• What are the office hours?

• Is emergency coverage available 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week?

• Do nurses screen phone calls?

• Does the practice have an after-hours answering service?

• Where are patients referred after hours?

• Is there access to specialists and intensive care if needed?

• How does the office handle insurance and billing claims? Is payment due at the time of the visit?

They also recommend that parents ask about the pediatrician’s background. Does he or she have a subspecialty or area of pediatric interest? To what hospital does he or she admit patients? Is he or she board certified through the American Academy of Pediatrics?

The answers to these questions should help you to choose the right provider for your child. And finding that perfect fit can be the beginning of a long relationship during which a pediatrician can care for your child’s healthcare needs as they learn and grow.

If you are looking for a pediatrician in the Lakes and Twin Rivers regions, please call HealthLink at 527-7171. Our staff can help answer your questions, and connect you with the provider who is best for you.

DR. MICHELLE PALELLA

Dr. Michelle Palella joined Lakes Region Pediatrics last year, bringing to our community a wealth of educational background and experience. Dr. Palella earned her master’s and Ph.D. in cell biology from New York Medical College before continuing on at the school to earn her medical degree. Her choice to specialize in pediatrics was a natural one. She says, “most medicine focuses on the changes in the human body that occur because of aging or the disease process. I was always more interested in growth and development, and pediatrics is about helping to encourage the best possible development of children’s minds and bodies.” Today, Dr. Palella is spending two days each week in Boston fulfilling her clinical requirements to earn one more specialization—in two years, she will be fully certified as a pediatric pulmonologist.