Pediatric Associates of North Atlanta PC

I used to work at the pharmacy of the CVS right next door. Unlike most doctors, this place will either get you an answer to any questions right away, or call you back in short period of time. All the nurses and doctors that I had spoken to on the phone over the years were all extremely nice and knowledgeable. So when I had a daughter of my own, the choice of which pediatrician to use was a no brainer. When she was born they checked on her daily in the hospital and came in to talk to me about things. Every time we have gone in for check ups and the occasional sick visit the wait time is minimal and the staff if very friendly. We have only seen Dr. Allen at the practice and she is amazing. She doesn’t rush the visits and really listens to any questions and concerns. I wish I could take them all with me when I move to Seattle!

We went to PANA because of its location, it’s still probably the closest place to our home. We saw Dr Allen, and if you do choose to go to PANA, I would definitely say that she was fantastic and I’d recommend her. If I was rating the doctor only, I’d give her 5 stars, we never once felt rushed, she was very laid back — by which I mean, I didn’t feel like she was looking for a diagnosis, and therefore I felt confident when she did tell us there was a concern.
However. The practice on its own I’d probably give 1 star, and is the complete reason that we will never go back. Partially the wait times, which can be fairly extended, and partially the billing. I’ll go into detail. It should be noted that it takes PANA 90 days to do their billing, this is only relevant when there are surprises, but I had a big one that resulted in like $ 90 of copays owed for things I wasn’t expecting. And that’s when we stopped going to PANA.
First, they ask for your insurance card as soon as you walk in the door every time. I’m pretty sure your kid could be bleeding in the lobby and they would still ask for the insurance card before they’d see him.
So we took our newborn son to PANA a day after he was released from the hospital (so like 3 days old) and met Dr Allen. They had to do some test that was state mandated because we left the hospital early, so they stuck his little foot over and over and over again (they only needed to do it once, but sometimes you botch a needle stick. several times.) and filled this card with his blood. Anyway, they told us to come back for a free weight check in a few days. Ok. Came back, my son, who was 10lb 6 oz at birth weighed 9lb 10 oz or something like that. They called in the doctor. She said «I’m sure it’s fine, do you have any questions?» I said no, AND I GOT A BILL FOR $ 30 FOR THAT INTERACTION. But I didn’t get the bill for 3 months. I talked to the office manager and they said that we saw the doctor, so we owed a copay. I said I never asked to speak to the doctor. They said the nurse has to call the doctor if his weight drops. this is completely ridiculous. I told them the nurse should pay my copay, but somehow that didn’t work out.
But that’s not all. That test they did, where they botched the needle stick several times, well, it was returned because they had oversaturated the test strip. great job guys. So I had to go back in and do the test again. AND I GOT A BILL FOR $ 30 FOR THAT INTERACTION. That was just it, I decided we’d never go back after that. They screwed up the test and I got to pay for it.
No, I just can’t recommend PANA, I have no confidence in their office staff, their billing, their procedures… this is a profit-​maximizing machine, not a caring pediatric practice. And other than the doctors, they’re just not that good at what they do.

I moved to the area and was hoping to move my kids to this practice because of the close proximity to my house. But after a sick visit and a couple phone calls I will drive further to stick with my old practice. Reasons: the dr was nice but the wait was 1.5 hours, and he said just call back about a symptom if it got worse — well, I did, but when they finally called back the office was closed and I called in the morning, and they said they would not call it in I had to come back though I had just been there the day prior and was following dr instructions! Also, the nurse was unfriendly and cold to my sick and wary toddler. And one of my calls was never returned and the other not in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t add up to somewhere I feel good about.

We have used Dr. Julian Gorvy at PANA for our pediatrician for 3 years now. Both our boys see him and we could not be happier! We knew when we met with Dr. Gorvy during our search for a pediatrican before the birth of our first son that we found our doctor. He is kind, understanding, very knowledgable and great with our boys! I can’t imagine getting through the early years as new parents without him. We have seen Dr. Gorvy for all our appointments except one and Dr. Zager was also great. The nurses are great. You know a pediatrician is great when our oldest pretends to call Dr. Gorvy on the phone and tell him how great he is! They are great to get you in the same day you call for a «sick appointment’ and are so helpful. I hope Dr. Gorvy has no plans to retire anytime soon! He is a gem!