Pediatric Health Associates

I came to PHA a few years ago. We do not live close to this practice but I followed one of the pediatricians who joined this group. I have a special needs child and this pediatrician, Dr. Margaret Chalson («Dr. Maggie»), previously practiced in Bayside near my home. I patronized the Bayside practice before Dr. Maggie joined them but found that the physicians dismissed the early signs of my child’s developmental issues. They also had a difficult time dealing with him, his sensory issues and phobias. Dr. Maggie was a godsend for a short time before her maternity leave. I later found out that she had moved and followed her, as did other Queens patients. Many years later we not only continue to see Dr. Maggie for well visits but we adore any doctor we’ve seen in this practice. Dr. Fierstein was wonderful when treating my son in the hospital for an adverse medication reaction. She was so kind, understanding and patient with a nervous mom. Dr. Goldstein was fabulous with my son when he had a bad leg injury, keeping him calm the entire time. My son requires kind, patient, tolerant attention and all the physicians we have seen at PHA have delivered above and beyond. On top of this, the office staff is phenomenal and extremely helpful and expeditious!!! Absolutely the best!!!

This is the fourth pediatric office I have taken my kids too. Yes, I said fourth. I am finally happy with all aspects of what a group of pediatricians should be. They are thorough, accurate with paperwork, responsive, patient, and fair. You can get an appointment in a timely manner and be called back when needed. The doctors never make you feel like you are overreacting, which in my case always feels like the case. We have been going there for about four years. I am so grateful that I listened to a local group’s recommendation, considering that I don’t live locally to this office but it doesn’t matter. They are also accessible through Facebook and give an answer in a fair amount of time. They are excellent at communicating through e-​mails too. I am constantly recommending them and will continue to.

We have been very happy with this practice. Dr. Chanson is out primary doctor, and she is a pleasure to work with. Whenever we need to come in for a sick visit, any doctor or NP who sees us has been fantastic. The Facebook page is also a fantastic resource for parents, and Dr. Fierstein is fantastic about quick responses.

We have been going to this practice since we moved to Woodbury 12 years ago. I have nothing but wonderful things to say and my children and I always have very positive experiences. The doctors are very patient and always professional, especially our primary physician, Dr. Chalson, who always puts my children at ease.

Where do I begin? I am a mom of three and PHA is an amazing practice! Open 365 days a year. Kind, caring, knowledgeable staff and doctors! When I was pregnant I had asked my doctor for a referral for a pediatrician and she told me she takes her kids to PHA… That was all I needed to hear. It turns out 2 of my doctors use this practice.
In addition, the practice has a non emergency FB group, where you can ask general questions! To me this shows they really care about their patients!
My first experience there was when my 3 week old was coughing and it was very emotional … Dr. Read had checked him out and I was a nervous wreck! Later on that day Dr. Read called me to check in on my son and ME!!! I knew we were in good hands. Dr. Read is like a celebrity in our home. We talk about her often and my kids just adore her. She’s always available and I love her down to Earth personality… Very easy to talk to. Amazing doctor! Dr. Maggie stayed late on an eve of a holiday waiting for us to arrive so we would not have to go to an emergency place and was able to diagnose and treat my son for pneumonia! Drs. Samuel and Dr. Goldstein have always given my children excellent care and my kids get a kick out of Dr. Goldstein’s great sense of humor. Dr. Firestein was the dr who gave me the best advice on how to get my baby to sleep thru the night and has great bed wetting prevention strategies! Dr. David with his kind ways was able to put staples in my daughters head and made her feel like such a super star she forgot she was hurt!
Drs Lippmann and Keschner we have seen on occasion and they have been nothing but wonderful!
I have referred many, many people here and all I have heard are rave reviews and awesome feedback. Honestly, make the appointment and go in and see for yourself! You will be happy! My husband and I always say how thankful we are for this practice!!!
5 stars is well deserved!!!

When our first son was born 3.5 years ago, we started going to PHA. They have been wonderful to our family and are always very helpful – we love that you always can speak to a doctor and get an appointment every day of the year (including late hours during the week for working parents). Dr Fierstein, Dr Samuel, and Dr Chalson have been great and we value their opinion – this was especially important when we were first time parents and again when our second son was born this spring. Our older son actually likes going to the doctor’s office! :)

PHA is the best! All of the physicians are warm, knowledgable, and patient. They will fit you in whenever your little one needs it, and they are extremely responsive to all questions and concerns. You will be in great hands with this wonderful practice!

We have been using Pediatric Health Associates since our almost six month old daughter was born. The entire staff is wonderful! They are all so sweet, very knowledgeable, and a pleasure to visit monthly. They have squeezed me in when I needed an appointment a few times, put me at ease when I was a nervous new mother, and soothe my baby. My daughter doesn’t mind visiting the Dr’s office AT all, and hardly even cries when the nurses give her her shots. I would highly recommend going to this wonderful group of physicians!

We moved to Plainview 4 yrs ago and use to go to another Dr’s office in the area… they misdiagnosed my daughter twice! I finally took my SIL’ s advice and went to PHA… WOW! They were and continue to provide my daughter with the best care. Dr. Kerry F is awesome and has never rushed us or made us feel that she didnt want to provide my daughter the best care possible. All the Dr’s we have seen in this office have been AMAZING and caring and patient. My daughter is not easy she has a fear of needles and the word blood freaks her out but these Dr’s and please lets not forget the amazing nurses, have always shown patience and care and understanding.

I can’t say enough about this practice. My three kids have seen all of the doctors and they are all very caring and listen to your concerns. There are no stupid questions with them and you can always get a same day appointment. The doctors call our house for follow ups in certain situations and genuinely care about their patients. When you walk in there you always feel at home because all of the doctors know your children. They have eased my concerns many times and helped us through more serious health issues working with specialists.

When I was pregnant, I put at least three local offices through the paces and chose this practice and have raved about them since. We couldn’t be happier with the care our two children receive and my daughter even asks for Dr. Chalson by name! The doctors in this practice take the time to create bonds with both their patients and their parents (sometimes the parents are harder than the patients!). They take the time to be there for their families and you always get the sense that they really feel the patients are their children. We also love the convenient hours and have never been turned away with a sick child.

I moved to Plainview over 6 years ago from Queens. I really loved our pediatrician and was worried about finding anyone as wonderful. I was so very lucky that my kid’s pediatrician, Dr Maggie Chalson, moved to PHA about the same time we moved to Plainview!
I have never had a bad experience with PHA. All the doctors we’ve seen have been great, and every nurse in there is sweet, patient and kind to the kids and to the parents. I would certainly recommend this practice to anyone looking for a doctor for their children!

I have only positive things to say about PHA. As a new mom three years ago I was a paranoid mother as every new mom is. I called several times with questions and the doctors would call me back right away and never dismissed my concerns or questions. They always reassured me that It was no bother I called and made me feel more comfortable. Every time I have been there they take their time talking to you and to your child and the exam is complete and never rushed. I have never felt rushed or that my questions were never answered.
Last year my daughter developed a peanut allergy and broke out in hives. I called the office and they had me bring my daughter right in to be seen. A few weeks later I brought her in to have the blood test done and the nurses were fantastic. It’s not easy taking blood from a two year old but they did it with kindness, love and as quickly as they could. After the finished taking the blood they sat and played with her and her doctor lot she had brought with her. I left there with the doctors and nurses apologizing to me that they had to take the blood from her. Dr Goldstein called me a few days later from his car on the way home at 8pm to give me the results and had me come in the next day to go over the test results more thoroughly and to give us a lesson on how to use an Epi-​pen.
This year I had another child and she ended up in the nicu after she was born. Even though PHA couldn’t examine her in the NICU Dr Samuels came in anyway to see me and to get more information about my daughter. As soon as she was released from the NICU one of the doctors from PHA came up to see my daughter to examine her.
I will only trust PHA with my girls. My sisters and brother all bring their children to PHA and they too, only have positive things to say. Every doctor truly cares about each one of their patients and gets to know each one. In fact, I ran into Dr Chalson today and she knew my oldest daughter by name and started to talk to her. She was with her family and she didn’t have to stop to say hello to us but that’s how she is. I don’t know where else you would find that.
I thank PHA for being professional, loving and for being so wonderful.

We’ve been using PHA for just about 9 years now. I have 3 children (ages 9, 7 and 18 months).
Often people ask me why I travel 25 minutes for a pediatrician when there are several practices 5 minutes away. For me there is no questioning it. The care, respect and comfort I feel at PHA is exceptional.
Open 365 days a years, I’ve never had a problem getting a sick child seen. Doctors never rush out of the room and make you feel to busy. There is something to be said for doctors that take their time in addressing my concerns.
Whether it’s after hours or 9am, calls get returned in a very reasonable time.
In today’s world of social media, a Facebook page is another outlet for getting questions answered… whether it’s sending a photo or asking about dosage.
Online appointments, forms and records are all available online, which makes getting what you need so convenient.

I hated this place! When i first went there, i thought wow, this looks like a really nice place. But it was HORRIBLE. The Doctor i saw called herself MAGGIE. I think her name is Dr. Margaret Chalson, MD. My son had a little cough and a runny nose. She held my 3 year old down and put a breathing mask on his face. My kid was screaming for his life. Mommy help me! HE couldn’t breath and it was covering his whole face. She wanted to keep the mask on and hold him down for almost 10 minutes!!! I asked her isn’t there anything else you can do. she said NO! and she wanted me to do this every 4 hours. I also went there for a rash. Not once did she ask to see it, or examine him. I thought it was the worst experience I EVER had!
Now my child is terrified to go to the doctors

I was unhappy with our former pediatricians office and moved to PHA many years ago — from day one we knew this office was amazing! With their friendly and helpful receptionist office, thorough pediatricians, proactive care and great follow up with ongoing issues, we knew our children were in wonderful hands.
We love their accessibility and weekend hours as well. We could not be happier!

Dr Kerry Frommer Fierstein has been HORRIBLE! She rushes us, is not knowledgable, has a condescending attitude and is just plain rude!
She told us my daughter needs vitamins and proscribed chewable ones. We bought them and they are ridiculously big and a choking hazard for an 18 month old! She also alarmed us since we went to a different practice and she said that the baby’s head measurements were off! Which was also not true! Also, asked her to fill out some forms for our daycare and she just signed the bottom without even taking the time to read! She was mad she had to do that! She asked us irrelevant questions such as «why not just having a babysitter?» «Why are you talking to her in Spanish, you realize English will be her dominant language?» Seriously??? Avoid this place and specially this woman!

About three and a half years ago I met with Dr. Fierstein because I read that I should «interview» various practices to determine which to use once our first son was born. After speaking with her and touring the office I decided to use them without ever speaking to anyone else. To this day I could not be happier with my decision. I LOVE them! Not only does it give me peace of mind knowing that they are available ²⁴⁄₇ with a doctor on call for emergencies, but they also have a private group on Facebook where patients/​guardians can ask non-​emergency questions and get a timely response from Dr. Fierstein.
They came to LIJ after both my boys were born and were so friendly, helpful and encouraging that it really helped me to relax knowing they were in my corner. Aside from the fact that ALL of the doctors are extremely knowledgable and thorough with fantastic bedside manor, they are also genuinely nice human beings who truly care about their patients. My kids are not scared of the doctor at all. In fact, my 3 year old likes going! I look forward to our well visits because I learn so much each time. My friends were very jealous when they saw that i receive a print-​out each well visit with information about the next week/​month. It includes everything from what to feed them (and how) to how to keep them safe. They even have questionnaires to help evaluate whether or not your child is hitting their milestones to help with early intervention if needed. They never rush me and are always so great with my boys and I am truly thankful for that. Every nurse is beyond sweet and the front desk staff are on their game and fun to talk to. I like all of the doctors, but my favorites are Dr. Samuel and Dr. Chalson. I am also a very big fan of Dr. David, Dr. Read and Dr. Fierstein.
I highly recommend them (I’m sure you can gather from the novel I just wrote!)
I hope this helps people decide to use them!
–Stacy

I have been seeing Dr. Chalson for over 4years with each of my 3 kids and cannot speak highly enough of her. She has a wonderful way of reassuring me and really listens and never treats my family like a number! I have also seen other doctors there and have had similar pleasant experiences. Although I moved half an hour away I still make the trip to see PHA! I’m hooked!

We’ve been very fortunate to find a group as good as PHA for our daughter. I recommend them to anyone looking for a doctor for their children.