How to Choose a Pediatrician on the Upper East Side: 10 Questions to Ask

"Who's the best pediatrician on the Upper East Side?" is one of the first questions expecting parents in Manhattan ask their friends. The honest answer is that the best pediatrician is the one who fits your family. You'll be seeing them a lot: about a dozen well visits before your child turns three, plus every ear infection, rash, and late-night fever. Here's what we suggest comparing.

1. Are the doctors board-certified, and where did they train?

Look for board-certified pediatricians and check their training. At Uptown Pediatrics, every full-time physician is faculty at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Meet our doctors.

2. Which hospital are they affiliated with?

If you're delivering at a particular hospital, ask whether the practice visits newborns there. Our doctors have privileges at Mount Sinai and visit babies in its newborn nursery.

3. How fast can a sick child be seen?

This matters more than almost anything once your child is in daycare or school. Ask about same-day sick visits, walk-in hours, and weekends. We offer walk-in sick visits weekdays from 9:30 am to 3 pm and Saturday sick visits outside of summer.

4. Who answers the phone at 2 am?

Ask whether a doctor from the practice is on call nights and weekends, or whether calls go to an answering service. A physician from Uptown Pediatrics is on call 24/7.

5. Are there specialists in-house?

Many families wait months for a hospital specialist. Some practices have specialists on site. Ours include adolescent medicine, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric infectious disease, and child & adolescent psychiatry.

6. Is there breastfeeding support?

The first weeks are when feeding questions come up most. We have an IBCLC lactation consultant, Nurse Mesi, in the office. See newborn care and lactation.

7. Will you see the same doctor?

Ask how scheduling works and whether you can choose a primary doctor. Continuity matters, especially for teens.

8. How do they handle teen confidentiality?

As kids get older, they need time alone with their doctor. Ask how the practice balances privacy with keeping parents informed. Read what teen confidentiality means.

9. Do they take your insurance?

Call your carrier with the practice's NPI to confirm. See our insurance page for the plans we generally accept.

10. Is it easy to get to?

With a sick toddler, a short trip matters. We're at 1245 Park Avenue (entrance on 96th Street), one block from the 96th Street 6 train, convenient to the Upper East Side, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, and East Harlem. Directions.

Meet us before your baby arrives

The best way to decide is to visit. We offer prenatal visits so you can meet the practice and ask your questions. Call 212-427-0540 or see our new patient information.