Karen L. Whiteside, MD

Dec 2019

When we were expecting our first, so many friends recommended Southwest Pediatrics to us! We went for a meet and greet with Dr. Shilpa and really felt comfortable with her. We also got great recommendations about their other doctors, too. I like that Dr. Shilpa is relatable (she seems to be around our age with a young kiddo as well) and she takes time to answer all of my questions (I come almost every time with a list of questions on my phone). She is patient in sharing her expertise and has a kind way of interacting with my child. Now after the birth of our second baby, Dr. Shilpa sees both kiddos. I like that the exchange is very accessible and easy to use. We've called many times during off hours to reach a nurse from Children's hospital. They'll either answer our questions immediately or they'll contact the on call pediatrician and then call us back. It's pretty straightforward to schedule a sick visit the same day, though if you call right at 8:30 when their phone lines open, you might have to wait on hold for a few minutes. The nurses and other staff are usually very pleasant and helpful. I highly recommend Southwest Pediatrics and especially Dr. Shilpa to anyone looking for a pediatrician in south city!

Oct 2018

Even though my children have seen Dr. Schmidt and then Dr. Spewak for 16 years, I continue to be impressed by the new generation of docs and staff at this office. My son recently hurt his hand playing football at recess; the NP saw us within the hour, splinted his hand with a metal brace and called ahead to Watson imaging, which we went straight to. The office called by the end of the day with a referral to an orthopedist. You won't find better pediatric care, from the receptionists to the doctors. I have several friends who've moved out of the city and continue their dr appts here. They're that good.

Mar 2018

We love Dr. O'Neil. He was referred to us by a neighbor where we used to live. When we moved I thought I would try to see if there were a closer pediatrician and asked a friend for a referral - guess who she referred - Dr. O'Neil! I knew then we wouldn't be switching. One great thing about Dr. O'Neil (and other dr's at the practice, I've heard) is that he knows care of proper child male anatomy. He knows that when a boy is left intact (non-circumcised, as nature intended) a boy should never be forcibly retracted as only the boy himself should ever pull back his foreskin. I know a lot of people with doctors who don't understand normal, unaltered male anatomy so this doctor is fantastic!