Kaplan & Widelitz Pediatrics

I really love the doctors here. We have been seeing Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Shaw since my son was born three years ago. They are both very caring and professional doctors. We have been going to this office for all of my son’s well appointments and for the occasional sick appointment. The office is very good about getting us in for a same day appointment when my son has been ill. We love that they have a sick and well waiting room.
Recently we had the opportunity to see Dr. Fukami, and she is very caring and nice too. My son loves all the doctors we have met. We weren’t overly in love with Dr. Fallah when we met her, as she was a bit abrupt, but she may have just had a busy day. I’m sure it can be a very stressful and tiring job.
The reason for the four star rating rather than a five star is the front office staff. They can be quite rude and unhelpful. Recently, we were at the office for my son’s scheduled well appointment. The front office receptionist insisted that we had to pay a co-​pay for the visit. When I explained that under the affordable care act, we did not pay a co-​pay for wellness visits, she said that we had to pay it, and if we did not, she would cancel our appointment. She also demanded payment for a visit we had a couple weeks before. When I explained they had not yet billed us, she said it was due anyway. I said I would prefer to wait for the bill to make sure that both my husband’s and my insurance had been billed first. She then stated that they only bill one insurance, and it is up to us to bill the other insurance. That was news to me, as we have had both insurance accounts billed in the past, in fact they have sometimes triple billed each.
Anyway, long story short, we paid the co-​pay to avoid having our appointment cancelled. My husband and I had both taken time off work to be there, after all. I was able to get the co-​pay refunded the following week after calling their billing office. Time consuming and annoying, especially since the person I spoke with on the phone was there that day when the receptionist demanded the unnecessary co-​pay, and despite hearing the whole initial exchange, did not step in to help.

I just had to write a review. I am currently going in circles with my insurance company and pharmacies trying to get a prescription for Prevacid filled for my son and I just have to say that the nurses, Linda and Lori have been awesome in assisting me. They make me feel a little less crazy through all of this and I really appreciate their help and compassion no matter what the outcome is. So thank you!!! While I’m here I will say that I’ve never had issues getting in when needed and the front office staff is always friendly on the phone and in person. I’ve so far seen Dr. Fukami, Dr. Kallah, the Nurse Practitioner, Barbara and Dr. Kaplan briefly while in the hospital and you have all been phenomenal — very professional, thorough and caring. Thank you for making being a new parent much easier on the harder days :)

Very rude and awful staff! They act as if they do you a favor by answering the phone and making appointments. No matter when I can I may guaranteed to be placed on hold as they answer the phone. Usually the wait is anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes if not longer. If it wasn’t for the doctors I would never go to this place. The front office is cold and crude. You can tell they do not care about the patients. I wanted to file a complain but as expected no one got back to me to follow up. I am surprised they haven’t lost patients with their level of professionalism.

I love the fact that there’s a sick and well waiting room. The doctors are easy to schedule with when you have a concern or problem as in my case as a first time mom.
We like Dr Fukami. We did meet Dr Shaw too on another visit on a concern for colic and reflux but i’m told all the doctors are highly recommended from this group. So far so good.

I would have rated this place a 5 star if it weren’t for their billing tactics. As a new mom, when something comes up your immediate reaction is to call the pediatrician office. Instead of providing you information over the phone like most normal pediatrician offices, they like to schedule you an appointment. Then a month later, you get a bill for every single visit even if it’s for something simple non medical. Dr. Shaw was great from the get go but due to the numerous billing for every single visit for simple questions that could have been answered over the phone I had to switch pediatricians. If you have PPO insurance, I highly advise you go else where unless you are willing to pay.
To Dr. Kaplan Group: thanks for taking away the enjoyment of being a new mom for your financial gains.

I’m an absolute FAN of this office. I have twin boys and an infant girl. This is our regular pediatrician. Our primary is Dr. Kaplan. Very professional doctor. I am impressed with this office because they have TWO waiting rooms. Why? One for sick patients and one for patients getting checkups or non-​transferrable illnesses. It makes total sense. If ONLY my doctors office was like that. Always have had a good experience with this Pediatrician office. When Dr. Kaplan was not available, we would see Dr. Tosu and Fukami. Forgive me if I didn’t get the names spot on, but in consolation their service and knowledge are spot on. WE were recommended by others int he LLBMOTC, (twins club) and we are extremely happy. It is as good as it gets.

Dr Kaplan is truly great at what he does, he knows when to be empathic, and when to cut the fat… He also has a great staff. We have worked with many of the nurses, as well as two of the other doctors that work in the practice. there is a great level of professionalism and kindness, which is perfect for what they do. The staff is gracious, and we haven’t had a visit that didn’t meet our expectations.
The office is clean, the service is actually quite quick if you have an appointment, and they are extremely thorough.
Just remember to be your own advocate. I think people have unrealistic expectations of medical practitioners sometimes.

This is the best pediatric group we’ve tried so far — short wait times, separate sick and well waiting rooms, and KIND doctors. We especially like Dr. Tosu. She’s down to earth, patient, and not quick to medicate, which I appreciate. Highly recommend this group. The only thing that keeps me from giving them a 5 is paid parking…

I LOVE Dr Kaplan. The best Dr ever! He is very good with kids and answers all my questions and take his time and you can see how much he loves babies. I am so happy that I found this place.

I have been going to Dr. Kaplan since 1990. When my daughter was first born. Dr. Kaplan is very good Dr, he is straight forward and as a new mother then, very comforting, he didn’t dismiss my fears as much as bring them down to where they belong LOL (new moms get alarmed about everything — all those fears where put aside).
My daughter saw him all the way up to 18 (and once returned at 19 for shots). My son is a patient now also– and though the practice has grown, he remembers my son each visit. my son is now 16 and been going since birth. He has ADHD — the DR did not prescribe him anything at first, he ran tests wanted school evaluation and still i was not wanting him to be on medication. Until 3^rd grade was obvious to all, my son had difficulties. Again Dr. Kaplan assured me, as i was upset in his office, he was kind and caring and told me, i would not suggest this if not needed. Every 6 months, like clockwork he evaluates my son, gives us forms for school to complete on their evaluation of his condition and school progress. They wont even give you a prescription unless you attend the meeting with the reports. Doesn’t just put them on meds. And best of all my son loves the office, he has even called the DR directly to speak to him. They have Sat. appointments — and a separate sick waiting room. Which i like, who wants to come in for a routine exam and get sick from going. There are toys and books and a health line. When i first started going there was just the 2 Dr’s practicing, i cant comment on other Dr’s, i have not spent sufficient time. The true testament is not only me feeling good about my children’s health provider, my children really liked them too. Only draw back is sometimes front desk folks seem indifferent. Dr’s excellent.

Always great service. Today was so quick. Sat down, waited about 4 minutes. Took us into room #7, gave my daughter a shot and we left. Just like that.

Was not impressed by reception. Called to make an appointment and they said they had no openings today and then basically hung up on me. This place isn’t my normal provider but my daughter has an ear infection and we are away from home.

Finding the right pediatrician is a challenging task. . we have experienced a few incompetent yet pompous pediatricians who have no clue what they’re doing especially with children who need more than the average attention and medical expertise. Having found K&W clinic was a relief! Dr. Kaplan and Widelitz are both capable pediatrician who listen to our concerns and provided support without coming off as condescending. Their bedside manner is also terrific with the little ones.
I have a different opinion regarding the younger female doctors in this office. Perhaps it’s the lack of experience or patience, but they tended to brush off our issues and were hurry to get on with the next patient. Bedside manner is also lacking for little kids. They tend to be more serious and uptight. Sorry, they work in the kid business so my expectation is for them to be kid-​friendly, while being respectful to the parents. I probably would not take my kids here if Dr. Kaplan or Widelitz were not available.

My son is 2 and a half, and we’ve been coming here since he was born. The office is pretty efficient. I like the fact that they have separate sick and well waiting rooms. The have special flu vaccine clnics annually. The docs are pretty accessible, easy to leave a message or get a prescription refilled. Our doc is Dr. Kaplan, and I find his «old-school”-ness endearing. The practice is up to date w the latest guidelines. They probably could use a remodel, tho!

When searching for a practice I wanted a place with great doctors, easy to get appointments and also with weekend options! This was it! I’ve never been to a group practice so I didn’t know what to expect. Will we still get the personal attention for our kids at a group practice vs. a solo practice? After going to this practice for the last 3 years… i would say Yes!
The advantage of the group practice is that you can always see someone! They are fast at getting you in to see someone when your kid is sick. They even have the Saturday morning options for the sickly so that you don’t have to wait until Monday. When you call after hours and have a question, a doctor will call you back usually within 15 min or less! fantastic!!!
They also have separate waiting rooms: regular check up and sick room. There are definite pros and cons to having two separate rooms. When your little one is sick, do you really want to sit in a room with all of the other sick kids? Not really, but you’re already sick. What more can happen? I looked at it as… if i’m going in with my girls for a healthy check up, I don’t want to be in the same room as other «sick» kids. So, it works out.
During flu season, they offer vaccinations in a separate room down the hall. Appoints can be made and you don’t have to wait in the sea of kids that are there for their reg/​sick appointments. Very fast. In and Out.
We’ve seen all doctors in the office one time or another. They are all great. Very good with the kids.
My favorite is Dr. Fukami! She always listens to our concerns and answers all of them kindly. Very sweet! She understands that parents can be over protective, nervous, and filled with tons of questions. Especially if it’s your first baby (babies in my case). She never makes you feel like your question is a stupid question… or that i’m being too over concerned. She makes you feel comfortable and is very great with the kids too!
The staff and nurse are very nice as well. Even with a place with over 10 exam rooms and a million sick and healthy kids running through the place, they seem to have this organized calmness. You would figure everyone in the office will be stressed or short with that many kids and concerned parents, but not this practice. Everyone is friendly (in person and on the phone).
I’m very happy with our choice and look forward to going to them years to come.
I would HIGHLY recommend this place!

Kaplan and Widelitz Pediatric group is great if you don’t mind getting to know the entire staff and trust them with the care of your little one. They have RN’s that intake the patients and assist with the care, which is much better than the medical assistants most offices have. The group always has last minute appointments and someone is always available 24 – 7 to take your phone questions no matter how trivial it may seem. I like that there is a range in age, gender, and years of practice among the pediatricians in the group because it provides a range of experiences since every child is different. I only wish they were around where I grew up!

I went here for about 16 years… Both Doctors are great and easy to talk to. I’d recomend them to anyone.

I chose Dr. Kaplan’s group because it was the closest pediatrician to home and it was also next door to Los Alamitos Medical Center where I delivered my first baby. I mentioned them to my OB and she recommended them as well. My husband and I interviewed Dr. Kaplan & Dr. Tosu before I delivered our son. They both seemed really nice & down to earth and so we decided to stick with them.
Dr. Widelitz saw us at hospital the first day, because my neighbor also picked them as the pediatrician for their discharge. I overheard the father saying that their baby is a second generation patient. Dr. Kaplan saw us the next day and signed off on our discharge. I had new neighbors by now, and he happened to be their doc as well! It’s either a coincidence or they must be really good. I felt both doctors were very knowledgeable and experienced.
On our first actual office visit, we met Dr. Fukami. She’s the youngest of the four pediatricians in the group. However, I feel she’s just as knowledgeable and I had a connection with her. My son has been seeing her exclusively ever since. We actually have an appt with her tomorrow, it’s my son’s 1 yr checkup.
The nurses there are very nice and so are the front desk girls. I have nothing negative to say about them. I actually referred two other mommy friends to them and they all seem to like all of them too. And as far as waiting time, there’s still a waiting period to get the ball moving but isn’t that how it is with any doctor’s office?! I have no complaints.

At the recommendation of my OB, I interviewed Drs. Kaplan & Widelitz before my first son was born, and decided to sign on with them for his pediatric care. You have to have a pediatrician come see the baby and sign them out before you can leave the hospital.
Overall, I was never really happy with the care here, especially as a new parent. Like underwear in a drawer, I went through both partner physicians, another doctor and the nurse practitioner and never got what I wanted, which was someone who would listen to my concerns and give me a sense of what I could expect in the coming months with a new baby.
While all of them are really nice people, Dr. Kaplan moves really quickly. He tends to step on what you’re saying and talk very fast without, seemingly, listening to what you have to say; it’s as if he’s planning what he’s going to say while you’re still talking, which is really frustrating as a parent when you’re trying to describe issues.
Joel Widelitz is the exact opposite. He’s slower, and more calculated, but the same result: I didn’t really feel like he was ever LISTENING to me.
Their nurse practitioner is a gem, Barbara, but I felt like I was more friends with her, on more of a social basis, than someone I could confide in and get sound, practical medical advice from. I needed her to be more clinical and less personal. We often spent the whole time talking about her grand kids and just how much «fun» the whole baby thing is, and by the end of our office visits, I didn’t feel any more prepared for the coming months with a new little one.
So, there you are. Their front office staff is abrupt and gives you that whole «doing you a favor» thing which is also very off-​putting, but I would have put up with that if I felt like my health care needs were being met.
I’ve switched over to Angela Rosetti at Harriman Jones (she doesn’t have privileges at Los Al Med Center, so if you have a baby there, I recommend having Kaplan Widelitz do the in-​hospital stuff and then switch over to Rosetti immediately after you’ve left the hospital, which is what I did with our second baby.)