Requesting an Appointment
If a relative or babysitter brings your child to the office for treatment, please have them bring a written Authorization for Treatment form signed by you, as parent or legal guardian. Or you may provide a written letter giving treatment authorization. This letter must be dated and witnessed by another adult. Please note that a parent must be present for immunization to be given unless an authorization for treatment form is signed.
Life-threatening Emergencies
If your child has a life-threatening illness or injury, call 911 or take him or her to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital or the nearest emergency facility.
Sick Child Visit
Call (616) 949-4465 as early in the day as possible or bring your child to the walk-in clinic.
Certain symptoms almost always require an appointment: earaches, sore throat, cough with difficult breathing, severe abdominal pain, frequent or painful urination and extreme lethargy.
Calls regarding same-day appointments are answered by one of our nurses, who is well qualified to give advice about common pediatric concerns. A physician is consulted whenever a nurse has a question and all calls are reviewed by our physicians.
When you call, please refer to your child using his or her legal name. Whenever possible, please have the following information handy when you call:
- Temperature—duration
- Symptoms—duration
- Medication— type, dose, how long
- Chronic illnesses—for example, diabetes
- Allergies—including drug allergies
- Name and phone number of preferred open pharmacy
We Want to See Your Child Before Prescribing Medications
Please understand that except in special circumstances, we have a policy not to call in prescriptions for antibiotics without seeing your child first. We are concerned about both over-and under-treatment of illnesses. If you feel an illness is severe enough to require antibiotics, we need to examine your child in the office.
We Want to See Only Your Scheduled Child (Not Siblings) During a Visit
Unless previously arranged with our staff, please do not ask us to work in other members of your family at the time of your appointment. We want to focus our time with your child and keep on schedule to avoid delays of care for all patients.
Late Arrival Policy
Please help us serve all of our families better by being on time for your appointment. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment you may be asked to reschedule the appointment.
Well Child Exam
If your child has a chronic childhood illness, please request that he or she sees their primary care physician for their well-child exams. Effective October 1, 2015, changes in legislation require that any care provided outside of a standard well check up will need to be documented and billed separately and will involve a copay. For more information, click here
A Team Approach
When you choose a physician at Forest Hills Pediatric Associates, you receive care backed by a team of physicians, nurses, medical assistants and care coordinators who work together for you and your child. This ensures that there is always a provider to meet your needs and care for your children.
Physician Teams
- Dr. Bush, Dr. Howard, Dr. LeCleir, and Dr. Downs
- Dr. Larson, Dr. Dyksen, Dr. Zokoe, and Dr. Enzenberger
- Dr. Meindertsma, Dr. Leja, and Dr. Brenders