Surf City Pediatrics

We used to go to Dr. Chen and loved her until she retired. We love Dr. Kasamasu! The only reason why I left one star out was because my daughter was very very sick and she was admitted to Choc in ER but the Dr.‘s did not communicate to Dr K until she was at Choc for 9 days.

This review is solely based on the fact that Dr. Mulgrew is so efficient and actually cares about his patients. He is a excellent doctor. We have seen two other doctors so far dr chau and the nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner is also great. The front staff is a little rude and not friendly but I can’t say enough about Dr. Mulgrew and the nurses!

I just wanted to take the time to say how much I love Surf City Pediatrics and everyone that works there. All three of my kids have been going to Dr. Pepek since they were born (8 years). Not only is she a patient, informative and kind doctor, but her staff is unbeatable. They always find a way to fit us in when my kids are sick and they treat us like we are family. I actually look forward to coming in because I get to see the office staff, especially the office manager Lori, Sonia and Jessica. They are so helpful and loving to me and my family and I can’t imagine going anywhere else.
I have to add that Cheryl, the nurse from the nurse advice line, is so helpful and knowledgeable and quick to return our calls.

My son goes to Dr. Kasamatsu. She a wonderful and caring doctor. The main reason for the two stars is because of the rudeness and inconsiderate behavior to the point of straight up arrogance displayed by the office’s front desk personnel. My son got into an accident and I contacted the office for appointment to see the his doctor. During the conversation, the front desk lady, her name is Lori, tried to cut me off several times to the point where I have to tell her to stop interrupting me while I try to explain my son’s condition. She repeatedly tells me she doesn’t need to listen to me further and that the Doctor will not be able to treat or see my son! She even attempted to claim that she is trying to give me medical advises! At the end of the conversation I’m not sure if this front this front desk lady or my son’s pediatrician is the doctor.

I am really surprised to see all of these negative reviews on Unilocal,and feel obligated to write a review. My kids have been with this office for 9 ½ years. I think the office has improved tremendously since Dr. Chang left. I was really ready to find a new doctor because I couldn’t handle waiting 2 — 2 ½ hours (with 3 kids) for Dr. Chang anymore. I don’t think a 30 minute wait time is ridiculous for a pediatricians office. Come on people!!! Honestly I normally don’t wait more than 10 – 15 minutes. Kids are on their own time. They don’t feel well and need a little more attention. The doctors are amazing!!! I have never had a problem with the front office staff.

I recognize my review was in regards to the office manager and not to my son’s doctor who is wonderful and very good. I do highly recommend Dr. Bennett and regardless of the office manager we have decided to continue to see her for his annual check ups.

Love Dr Kasamatsu and NP Claudine BUT HUGE disappointment with the RUDE front office staff!!! Every time we have gone from check in to check out. I get they are busy but they seem to always try to brush you off and make you feel like you are inconveniencing them by asking any questions. My last appt I talked to the woman during check out regarding the mailing address and she proceeded to tell me it was my fault because I must of filled out the form wrong without even looking at it … Yeah one look at it and she realized it was them and not me. NOT COOL. Didn’t even apologize for blaming me.
If it wasn’t for Dr Kasamatsu and Claudine I would not return. And even now I’m researching other offices.

Been going to this office since my daughter was born. 8 years ago. When it was Dr. Changs office. A year ago we switched to a different pediatrician.
When This place vaccinates They don’t tell you what’s being given and why. They don’t tell you about any risks. How about INFORMED CONSENT? every dr is supposed to do it regarding ANY medical procedure INCLUDING VACCINES. They don’t want to answer any questions. They just get those shots and start shootin away. Very weird. And very scary. Don’t trust them with my children’s health. No way
The last draw for me was when I took my daughter in and demanded a very simple test for something I researched since she was having some health problems. The dr said, noooo she doesn’t have that it’s very rare. But I’ll go ahead and do it anyway. Haha guess what? I was right! The Dr. Was wrong. My daughter did in fact have what I thought she had! She then said oh yeah she does have —- you ought to go to a dr. That specializes in that! Oh yea you better believe I went to another dr! Never looked back
Oh yea the office staff is beyond rude!
HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PLACE. I don’t trust Drs like this.

Our 3 kids have been with Dr Bennett since birth (oldest is almost 16 now). I met Dr Bennett while pregnant in 1999 and am so glad we then chose her to be our family’s pediatrician. She is caring, attentive, loving, and the most wonderful Dr ever! Being a mom herself, she absolutely understands the little things! My children adore Dr Bennett. Her assistant (Deena) is also wonderful and has known our children since they were babies. We’ve also seen Dr Kasamatsu numerous times through the years and love her too. Truly, I cannot say enough about Dr Bennett and would not dream of going elsewhere.

Love this place! Always get greated with a smile which puts me and my kiddo at ease. We see Dr Pepek, but on occasions when we cannot we have seen Dr Bennett. I love the fact I dont feel like we are just a number. The Dr’s, nurses and aids will answer any question you have thoroughly never making you feel dumb. That was big for me when my kiddo was a newborn, you know we all panic over silly things.
Highly recommend this place

Our family used Surf City Pediatrics for two years while we had an insurance plan that provided the flexibility to go wherever you wanted. We always paid the CO-​Pays and other charges as they came. We haven’t been to the facility in over 5 months and were just given a bill for services.
Medical facilities like this take advantage of people with good insurance and the ability to pay.
I would strongly recommend switching to Kaiser.

Took our new son to this doctors office, after firing the doctor we had in the hospital because she was a little off center, her cheese slid off her cracker, the elevator didn’t seem to make it to the top floor, the light bulb seemed to fade.
We quickly scrambled to Unilocal to find another doctor and Surf City Pedriatics. We selected the doctors at surf city. The on call doctor from there practise came in and saw our new son, advised us to call the office first thing Monday and tell them it is a new baby appointment.
We called and were told that the doctor we selected was booked solid that day, and we could see another doctor. We said sure, when we arrived we were then told there was a cancellation and our doctor would see our son. Great

We LOVE Surf City Pediatrics. Dr. Bennett has been my daughter’s pediatrician literally since the day she was born — and she’s almost 16 now. Dr. Bennett is just fabulous, and we’ve also seen Dr. K several times, and the PA a couple of times, when we needed something last-​minute and Dr Bennett wasn’t available. The nurses are great — there is one in particular, Deena (sp?) who has been there for years and who is that perfect combination of friendly, helpful, and efficient, and she’s great with both little kids and teenagers. The front desk ladies are friendly and really helpful.
We had an urgent situation today that reminded me how much I love this office, so I finally thought to write a review about them!

I think Dr Chau is good, she was recommended by my OB-​Gyn. But I am just FRUSTRATED with their nurse line. My newborn was so uncomfortable with gas & being unable to poop for several hours, he fussed & grunted & cried all night and he looked anxious while his stomach grumbled, and the nurse, who called me back after 4 hours, said «your baby is not considered constipated until it’s been 3 days of no BM, there’s really no treatment until then». Hello?! i’m a geriatric registered nurse so i’ve been running things by then, but they would not recommend anything– i had to bring up gripe water or lil tummies or glycerin supp, which the nurse said «yeah if you wanna use them» but instructs vaguely on such products (i should’ve just used my own judgment). after another couple of weeks i called abt my baby’s face acne, that it seems itchy & baby’s rubbing his face against sheets, appears trying to scratch it, waking up uncomfortable and jerking/​vigorously rubbing his hands toward his cheeks for several minutes grunting before he settles down in exhaustion. again, «no treatment, it would look worse before it gets better».
i mean seriously, i feel like i’m just wasting my time calling them– there’s always no treatment, just let my baby stay uncomfortable right? i know it’s not life-​threatening, but can you imagine trying to sleep itching all over your face and cant do anything about it?
i’m so done with them. i’m switching my son to another office!

We love Dr. Kasamatsu! She has been nothing but fabulous for the last 2 years we have been with Surf City Pediatrics. Her office staff has been gracious and kind and very prompt with authorizations whenever we have needed a specialist. we have never had any billing issues. It says a lot when you get personal phone calls from a front office and Pediatric staff who genuinely cares about your child. I am very grateful for all who we have come into contact with at Surf City Peds.
As to wait time, we have never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a room and I think only one of the times we were there we did have a longer wait time because there was another family with an more urgent issue. And for that I totally understand.
Oh, and all of the women on the nursing staff there (that we have met) have been super great too. :) I dont know about any of the things the «negative» Unilocalers are giving because that has not been our case since we have been with this practice. everyone has their flaws and bad days. I get that… but for our family… overall we have had a positive experience.

Wish my wife would let us change, if you work and don’t have all the time in the world don’t use them. Always, always at least a half hour behind schedule. Front office staff is always rude, they always get the billing wrong, it is not hard. The Dr’s are ok but not worth the hassle, going to talk to the wife again tonight about finding a new Dr.

Dr. Bennet is just the best. She has been my daughters pediatrician since day one and she is amazing. She is the type of Dr. every mommy dreams of. You can tell she really cares. I’m a bit of a worrisome person and she is great at assuring me everything is ok.
She really takes the time to address your concerns and put your mind at ease. Helpful for this first time mommy. Also, her nurse is an amazing shot giver. We have also seen dr. Kasamatsu when dr Bennett isn’t working and she is also fantastic. The only dr I don’t care for is dr chau. Long story, wouldn’t recommend. If your a first time mommy this is a perfect place for you.

Moved from San Diego to Huntington Beach and needed to find a pediatrician. Google brought me to Surf City Pediatrics. I brought my son in for his flu shot but was told because he was new he had to do a meet and greet with a nurse practitioner before he could get the vaccine.
My son had a 4pm appointment and I checked him in promptly. The waiting room was empty. The nurse at the check in counter was busy talking. I waiting 10 minutes before I interrupted her conversation and asked that she check my son in. Otherwise I’m sure she would have gone on for hours chit chatting. Btw her back was to the front counter and the lady she was talking to was facing out but made no mention of patients waiting at the counter.
It is now 4:35 and we haven’t been seen. I’ve already called Beach Pediatrics to switch him.

The worst place I have ever been! Called before hand to confirm they accepted the insurance. Got to the office confirmed again they took the insurance. See the doctor, come out and get handed a bill for $ 130. If I could rate this place negative stars I would. If you can’t get simple things right what happens if it something major? Front office sucks!!! Take your kids somewhere else. There are alot better doctors offices out there even if you have to drive a little.
Our doctor is in Irvine and they are amazing! I guess I should thank this sorry place because if they weren’t so horrible I might still be dealing with them.
DON’T TAKE YOUR KIDS HERE!

2016: so, I had to drop the stars because of our experience with other doctors in this office. Dr Bennett and Dr Mulgrew are very compassionate and professional. However, the other doctors (we’ve seen them all) are somewhat abrasive and uncompassionate. Honestly, it’s almost not worth going if you get one of the other doctors. Although we would never leave the office, it is frustrating.
2011: Dr. Bennett is awesome. We have over 8 friends who also see her and we all LOVE her. My child is not a fan of strangers, but s/​he just loves Dr. Bennett. Their prices are fair, but we have insurance, so it’s not an issue for us. I can tell you that our old pediatrician in NPB was exorbitant on prices, so to us, surf city is cheap!
This office is well staffed, great nurses and they have both a sick rooms and a healthy rooms. Highly recommend this pediatrician office to anyone in the area!