Pediatrics FAQ

Getting to us

What are your hours?

  • Our hours are Monday and Wednesday 9am – 6 pm; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 am – 5 pm.
  • We are open until 6 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays to allow children to attend the full day of school, and to help accommodate parents’/guardians’ work schedule.

Do you offer walk in visits?

  • Yes, we offer walk in visits from 9-10am and 1-2pm Monday through Friday. You can walk in during other hours, but if we are busy, we may not be able to see you.

Are you open on the weekends?

  • Not yet! But we do have plans to provide additional access for our patients.

What insurances do you take?

  • We will see any patient with any insurance plan. We also see patients who do not have insurance. Patients without insurance are placed on a sliding scale (which means that we may charge a fee depending on your income and family size). We can help you apply for insurance.

Will you see someone without insurance?

  • Yes! We are a designated Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This distinction allows us to see children regardless of insurance status.

What should I bring to a first appointment?

  • Just bring your kids and your questions! …but also you should bring your ID, your insurance card (if you have one), your vaccine records, a list of all medications, and a knowledge of your family’s medical history.

Are you accepting new patients?

  • Yes! We would love to see your child. Call or email to make an appointment today (215-525-8600; pediatrics@fight.org ).

I am pregnant/ have a newborn. When should I make my first appointment?

Newborns should be seen within 3 days of leaving the hospital, even sooner if you are breastfeeding and do not have a home visit scheduled. This is so that we can support you with any questions that you may have in those important first few days.

Can we take a tour before we join?

What it’s like at FIGHT Pediatrics:

What can I expect from a well visit?

  • After registration we’ll check the weight and height of your child. Depending on the age we’ll also measure the head size and check vision and hearing. Next we’ll ask you to share your questions and concerns with us so that we can focus the visit on those specific issues. Next we’ll perform a full physical exam and perform any necessary blood tests (like anemia and lead testing). Here is a schedule of the various screening tests that are performed at different ages [ MIA, THIS SHOULD LINK TO THE ATTACHED PDF].  We’ll also check for developmental and behavior problems (like speech delay, autism and ADHD), and check for anything that might be causing stress for your family (like housing problems or running out of food). Families who are experiencing significant stress will be offered the opportunity to meet with our family support specialist. We will also review your child’s vaccine records and offer catch up vaccines for those who are due.

What can I expect from a sick visit?

  • This will vary based on the reason for the visit, but generally speaking you can expect a full set of vital signs (Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Temperature, Breathing rate, and oxygen level). We’ll ask very focused questions and perform a physical exam to identify the reason for your child’s illness. If your child needs lab work or medications we will order them. We will of course answer all questions that you have. Know that after the visit you are able to call us 24/7 if issues get worse (215-525-8600).

Can I get forms filled out here, such as school, camp, and sports physical forms?

  • We want you to leave our office with all the forms you need in hand. If you call us to request forms our goal is to do that by the end of the day. There is no fee for forms.

Do you speak any other languages?

  • We have a provider and front desk staff member who speak Spanish. Additionally we have access to most languages through a telephone interpreter service that is available in each exam room.

Will you see families who choose not to vaccinate?

  • Yes. Although we recommend that all patients be fully vaccinated in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ schedule, we also recognize that parents have a legal right to refuse to vaccinate for religious, medical or strong personal convictions. We will not shame or “kick out” families who have made these decisions, and we will never be confrontational about the issue. However we do ask that you be open to having conversations about this subject. We will recommend catch-up vaccines at every visit and will work with you to ensure that your child is as safe as possible.

Do you do developmental evaluations?

  • We assess the developmental abilities of all young children using a screening tool called the SWYC, as well as observing and asking parents questions. We refer patients to Early Intervention services in Philadelphia depending on their needs.

What evaluations and screening tools do you use?

  • Vanderbilt – This is a tool that is used to screen for ADHD whenever there are behavioral concerns. There is a version for parents and another version for teachers.
  • SWYC – This screens for your child’s developmental abilities and behaviors, as well as the well-being of the parents.
  • PSC Y and PSC- We use this tool to screen for behavior problems in children and adolescents beginning at age 6.
  • SCARED- This is a tool that we use to screen for anxiety in children and adolescents.
  • PHQ-9- We use this questionnaire to screen for depression in children and adolescents

Can my child get bloodwork done?

  • Yes- we have skilled medical assistants who are able to do bloodwork onsite in the office, so there is no need to go to a lab. We try to order bloodwork when only necessary to minimize any discomfort for the children.

Can my child get a dental screening?

  • Your medical provider will perform a brief exam of the teeth and we will apply fluoride varnish to children from age 12 months through age 5 years. At Philadelphia FIGHT we also have a dental clinic that is able to see children for routine dental care. They are located on the 4th floor (1 floor below us!).

Do you do X-Rays or EKGs?

  • No, we do not perform pediatric X-rays or EKGs.

Do you support breastfeeding?

  • Yes! By the end of 2018 we will have two on-site certified lactation counselors (One pediatrician and one of our Medical Assistants). We also work to get the newborns into our clinic as quickly as possible (within 2-3 days from hospital discharge) so that we can support you through any breastfeeding difficulties or questions that you may have. We also recognize some people just cannot or will not breastfeed, and those parents deserve our support as well. We will support you no matter how you decide to feed your baby.

Beyond the Visit:

Can I call after hours or on weekends with a question about my child?

  • Absolutely! Call us at 215-525-8600. You will hear a long message. Afterwards you will be connected with a nurse who will either answer your questions or connect you with one of our on-call providers. This service is available 24 hours/day.

Can I send an email with a question about my child?

  • Definitely. Feel free to email us at pediatrics@fight.org for non-urgent issues only. If you have an urgent issue please call us at 215-525-8600.

What is the best way to get in contact with your practice?

  • The best way to get in contact with us is by calling our front desk at 215-525-8600. You can also email with non-urgent issues, pediatrics@fight.org.

Do you have a patient portal?

  • We do not have a patient portal yet, but we are working to have one in the future!

What’s the best thing about your practice?

  • We like to be known for being kind. We will treat your child as we would treat our own. There is a difference between niceness and kindness. Kindness comes with empathy, caring and respect.

Common questions about who we see:

What ages do you see?

  • We see children from birth through age 18.

Do you see children with special needs?

  • Yes, we have skilled providers who can manage the medical needs of most children. There are some medical needs that so significant that collaboration with a pediatric specialist is required. If you have questions whether or not we’d be a good fit for your child’s specific needs please feel free contact us

Do you see children with HIV? (Isn’t Philadelphia FIGHT an HIV prevention and treatment organization?)

  • We are not pediatric HIV specialists so we recommend that children with HIV be seen at St. Chris or CHOP as both of these sites have well-established pediatric HIV programs.  We are able to see children living with HIV if they are co-managed by an HIV specialist. For several decades, Philadelphia FIGHT has been (and continues to be) at the forefront of HIV prevention and treatment. In recent years Philadelphia FIGHT has expanded its scope to provide internal medicine, dental, and pediatric services for any patient, regardless of HIV status.

Do you do medication management for children with behavior issues like ADHD, Depression and Anxiety?

  • Yes, children with mild/moderate behavioral health needs that require medication can usually be managed in our office.  However, we strongly encourage all children to receive additional services, such as therapy and school accommodations. We have a social worker who can help connect families to behavioral health services in the community and advocate for children through the school system.

Do you take care of children with autism?

  • Yes! The medical setting can be challenging for any patient so please feel free to let us know what would make your child’s visit experience most comfortable. For example, if there are there any particular likes or dislikes that your child has.

Do you offer family planning and sexual health services for adolescents?

Yes, we offer robust family planning and sexual health services through our collaboration with the YHEP Health Center. Call the YHEP Health Center for an appointment at: 215-344-1632. They also have walk-in hours, which you can find on their website.