Need your opinion on docs
Need your opinion on docs
As we search for an new surgeon, I have received a couple of names and would like input from those who have experience with them. Has anyone been under the care of Dr. Scott Kozin or to the Brachial Plexus Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital? Please give me the good and the bad. Thanks for you help, it's priceless.
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Tanya in NY
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Mon May 03, 2004 10:51 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am Mom to Amber, injured at birth. I serve on the Board of Directors for UBPN, and am a labor/delivery nurse, too.
- Location: NY State
- Contact:
Re: Need your opinion on docs
Hello. If you do a search, I'm sure you'll find many posts on this particular topic as this question has been asked many times before by individuals. Here's our opinion of Dr. Kozin.
Our 4 year old daughter has been under his care since she was about 18 months old when I first heard him speak at a conference. I knew right then that I had been down the wrong path up to that point with our daughter's care and needed to switch to Scott, so we did. He's treated our daughter, my husband, and myself with respect, patience, and honesty right from the beginning. I am a tough person in my own opinion since I am a RN, so he's had to answer many questions over and over again because I take so long to make a decision regarding surgery when it comes to our daughter's care. Our daughter has had only one surgery because an MRI showed her shoulder was subluxed and would need some intervention. We chose the anterior capsule release after getting 2 more opinions besides Dr. Kozin's. Dr. Kozin kept us informed, was extremely patient, his staff was very knowledgeable, patient and caring, and I don't think we could have asked for more from any of them. He even offerred us his cell phone number in the recover room because the ACR surgery had just recently become an outpatient surgery instead of an overnight stay and we would be staying at a hotel that night with a follow-up in the clinic in the AM. He wanted us to call him if we had any issues during the night. What surgeon does that? I work with doctors, and the ones I work with are extraordinary, but I know they would not do that! Of course we didn't need to call and all went well. Follow-up visits have all been smooth. Our daughter has gained function and ROM. We are very happy and grateful with our experience with Dr. Kozin and his staff. He has made a difference in our daughter's life. When she is older, I know she'll be appreciative as well. That's our experience.
Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 4 years old
Our 4 year old daughter has been under his care since she was about 18 months old when I first heard him speak at a conference. I knew right then that I had been down the wrong path up to that point with our daughter's care and needed to switch to Scott, so we did. He's treated our daughter, my husband, and myself with respect, patience, and honesty right from the beginning. I am a tough person in my own opinion since I am a RN, so he's had to answer many questions over and over again because I take so long to make a decision regarding surgery when it comes to our daughter's care. Our daughter has had only one surgery because an MRI showed her shoulder was subluxed and would need some intervention. We chose the anterior capsule release after getting 2 more opinions besides Dr. Kozin's. Dr. Kozin kept us informed, was extremely patient, his staff was very knowledgeable, patient and caring, and I don't think we could have asked for more from any of them. He even offerred us his cell phone number in the recover room because the ACR surgery had just recently become an outpatient surgery instead of an overnight stay and we would be staying at a hotel that night with a follow-up in the clinic in the AM. He wanted us to call him if we had any issues during the night. What surgeon does that? I work with doctors, and the ones I work with are extraordinary, but I know they would not do that! Of course we didn't need to call and all went well. Follow-up visits have all been smooth. Our daughter has gained function and ROM. We are very happy and grateful with our experience with Dr. Kozin and his staff. He has made a difference in our daughter's life. When she is older, I know she'll be appreciative as well. That's our experience.
Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 4 years old
Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 13 years old
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 13 years old
Re: Need your opinion on docs
I agree with everything Tanya said. Juliana has not had surgery with Scott. She is 7 and we did all of her surgeries with the late TCH team.
But a testiment to his quality as a man and a physician: we had decided to try a de-rotational osteotomy on Juliana (due to her injury and other surgeries she has no internal rotation). We were pretty much set on doing this, as two other doctors agreed that we had a good chance of getting enough return from the surgery to make it worthwhile. We said yes to the surgery in June and put her on the schedule for October (he didn't want to ruin her summer). I wanted one more opinion. I called Michael Pearl in LA and talked to him and decided to go and see him and his group. After a long visit with Pearl, we were doubting the surgery. Pearl and Kozin know each other and when I told Scott that I was going out there, he said "Oh good, tell me what Mike has to say." I emailed Scott when we got back and gave him a ReadersDigest of what transpired. He told me to come down to Philly. He and his staff looked at her again, and we talked about the trip to LA and what Pearl had said. He looked at me, looked at my husband...took Julie's hands in his and said, "we're not doing this surgery. Let's wait. Let's see what happens in the next few years." We took Juliana off the surgery sked.
I continue to be impressed with his intelligence and his desire to learn the best ways of dealing with this injury.
We also go and see Peter Waters at Boston Children's. He is also a wonderful guy and a great doctor. I hate, hate, hate the wait. But I understand the Waltham location is better.
As for Cinci Children's... I have met some of the people there and talked to Carrie Schmitt extensively. I think they are a quality center. As I live in NY, Cinci doesn't make much sense for us as a treatment center.
good luck,
I know this is difficult.
claudia
But a testiment to his quality as a man and a physician: we had decided to try a de-rotational osteotomy on Juliana (due to her injury and other surgeries she has no internal rotation). We were pretty much set on doing this, as two other doctors agreed that we had a good chance of getting enough return from the surgery to make it worthwhile. We said yes to the surgery in June and put her on the schedule for October (he didn't want to ruin her summer). I wanted one more opinion. I called Michael Pearl in LA and talked to him and decided to go and see him and his group. After a long visit with Pearl, we were doubting the surgery. Pearl and Kozin know each other and when I told Scott that I was going out there, he said "Oh good, tell me what Mike has to say." I emailed Scott when we got back and gave him a ReadersDigest of what transpired. He told me to come down to Philly. He and his staff looked at her again, and we talked about the trip to LA and what Pearl had said. He looked at me, looked at my husband...took Julie's hands in his and said, "we're not doing this surgery. Let's wait. Let's see what happens in the next few years." We took Juliana off the surgery sked.
I continue to be impressed with his intelligence and his desire to learn the best ways of dealing with this injury.
We also go and see Peter Waters at Boston Children's. He is also a wonderful guy and a great doctor. I hate, hate, hate the wait. But I understand the Waltham location is better.
As for Cinci Children's... I have met some of the people there and talked to Carrie Schmitt extensively. I think they are a quality center. As I live in NY, Cinci doesn't make much sense for us as a treatment center.
good luck,
I know this is difficult.
claudia
Re: Need your opinion on docs
just an fyi...we walked right in at waltham. was a dream
Re: Need your opinion on docs
i am curious if any one knows how many mod type surgeries he has done/kozin?????
Re: Need your opinion on docs
I truly appreciate your response. When you are deciding a person to do surgery on your child, you need to be confident in them and your input is greatly appreciated. My son has had 6 surgeries with Dr. Shenaq and looking for a new surgeon is a major decision. Thanks again.
Re: Need your opinion on docs
Mlynn,
Maybe you can ask Dr. Kozin and let us know what he says? I imagine he's done quite a few, even with being very conservative about surgery.
Kate
Maybe you can ask Dr. Kozin and let us know what he says? I imagine he's done quite a few, even with being very conservative about surgery.
Kate
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parent needing help
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:16 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 03/28/2000 OBPI. rc5-6 rupture, rc7-8 avulsion rt1 stretch. L humeral fx lc7 stretch
- Location: Huntington, West Virginia
Re: Need your opinion on docs
I realize Dr. Shenaq had surgery but was not aware that we needed to find new surgeons???
We have been to Cinn and while we liked the OT (Allison) we were concerned with Dr. Melman's (sp) bedside manner. I also was offended when he insisted that this is an ILLNESS not a birth injury. However, to be fair, others have spoken out and liked him. After our third visit we did not go back. That is not to say that should we need an opinion or perhaps a minor, minor surgery we would not consider him (skill wise I think he is ok) but kind of doubtful. He took the attitude that we should not be questioning him he was the dr. Phooey on that!
We have been to Cinn and while we liked the OT (Allison) we were concerned with Dr. Melman's (sp) bedside manner. I also was offended when he insisted that this is an ILLNESS not a birth injury. However, to be fair, others have spoken out and liked him. After our third visit we did not go back. That is not to say that should we need an opinion or perhaps a minor, minor surgery we would not consider him (skill wise I think he is ok) but kind of doubtful. He took the attitude that we should not be questioning him he was the dr. Phooey on that!
Christy & Katie Chapman
Re: Need your opinion on docs
I absolutely, 100% agree with what Tanya and Claudia have said about Dr. Kozin! My husband and I are so grateful for him.
Like Tanya, I also have a medical background - and pound Dr. Kozin with a thousand questions (both at our visits, and over e-mail.) He NEVER gets impatient, and is always willing to explain anything and everything regarding Aria's treatment. He is never arrogant or territorial - his only concern is that Aria gets better. I've got to tell you, since Aria's birth, he's the first doctor I've trusted, and I was a hard sell.
I think you'll also find that Dr. Kozin wears his heart on his sleeve, so to speak, with our kids. He truly gets excited when they reach a milestone, and he truly grieves when they don't. On the day of Aria's primary surgery, he looked nearly as upset as us when he found that avulsion. And, he worked until he was exhausted trying to give her the best possible chance at recovery - even called in another surgeon to see if he had any other ideas before closing Aria up. We were so impressed at his lack of arrogance - he didn't care if an idea came from another surgeon, he just wanted Aria to get better.
Really, I could go on and on. If you take your precious baby to Dr. Kozin, you will see why mothers like Tanya, Claudia and myself are so grateful for him.
Good luck in making this decision - it's such a hard one, especially after what our children have suffered at the hands of medical specialists. Please keep us posted.
mica
Like Tanya, I also have a medical background - and pound Dr. Kozin with a thousand questions (both at our visits, and over e-mail.) He NEVER gets impatient, and is always willing to explain anything and everything regarding Aria's treatment. He is never arrogant or territorial - his only concern is that Aria gets better. I've got to tell you, since Aria's birth, he's the first doctor I've trusted, and I was a hard sell.
I think you'll also find that Dr. Kozin wears his heart on his sleeve, so to speak, with our kids. He truly gets excited when they reach a milestone, and he truly grieves when they don't. On the day of Aria's primary surgery, he looked nearly as upset as us when he found that avulsion. And, he worked until he was exhausted trying to give her the best possible chance at recovery - even called in another surgeon to see if he had any other ideas before closing Aria up. We were so impressed at his lack of arrogance - he didn't care if an idea came from another surgeon, he just wanted Aria to get better.
Really, I could go on and on. If you take your precious baby to Dr. Kozin, you will see why mothers like Tanya, Claudia and myself are so grateful for him.
Good luck in making this decision - it's such a hard one, especially after what our children have suffered at the hands of medical specialists. Please keep us posted.
mica
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Re: Need your opinion on docs
I love Dr Waters and the care he has given our daughter for the past 5 + years...BUT the wait in Boston is terrible most of the time, like the others said, and at Waltham we waited almost 45 mins when I expected a short wait or no wait at all. Just thought I would share this info. And of course, it is well worth the wait or I wouldn't do it!
~Krista~
~Krista~
