Healthy Visits

We provide well child care for all children from premature newborns to older adolescents. This includes growth and developmental assessments, advice on important pediatric topics such as sleep, feeding, and behavioral issues as well as all routine immunizations and laboratory screening tests. Dr. Bernstein is often asked if being a pediatrician makes him a better parent? The answer is no, but being a parent makes Dr. Bernstein a better pediatrician. "When a parent tells me that their infant is not sleeping I know exactly what that is like because I have experienced it myself."

Chronic Illness

Both Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Huneycutt have extensive experience caring for children with chronic illness. We provide guidance and treatment for common illness such as asthma, allergies, recurrent ear infections, as well as many other common pediatric diseases. For other complex illness such as cardiac defects, neurologic disorders, or surgical problems, we will work closely with your pediatric specialist to make sure you get the best care possible. We will always be an advocate for you and can help coordinate your care when necessary.

For children who are ill

We will always be willing to see your child if there are concerns about health. We will be able to perform diagnostic studies such as throat swabs, urinalysis, blood work, and x-ray when appropriate. We can arrange for any other diagnostic studies needed and will arrange for specialty consultation when appropriate. We will provide the most up to date and appropriate treatment available. We will always assure you get proper follow up.

A special note to parents expecting a baby

We have extensive experience dealing with newborn issues such as breast feeding problems, jaundice, sleep issues, and common newborn medical problems. Choosing a pediatrician is an important step in your child's future. If you are expecting a baby, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your future delivery, anticipated pediatric care, and answer any questions you may have. Please call our office and ask the receptionist to schedule a pediatric interview. There will be no charge for these visits.

Childhood Immunizations

Over the past several years there has been increasing controversy about possible adverse effects of childhood vaccines.  This has prompted some parents to withhold immunizations for their children.  We have a policy at Asheville Medicine and Pediatrics that we will care for children who are not immunized.  However, we will have a discussion with parents about the controversy to ensure that parents have a full understanding of the benefits of vaccination and the potential risks of withholding them.  We will also request that parents review the literature on the controversy and read some of the primary data themselves.  We offer altered vaccine schedules if parents are more comfortable with this approach. 

“We believe in shared decision making and because of this we want to empower parents to make their own decisions regarding vaccines.  Having said this, there is no greater accomplishment in childhood health than the use of vaccines to prevent disease. During our residency training we frequently cared for children with presumed meningitis.  Today this is highly unusual thanks to the vaccine for Haemophilus Influenza type B (HIB) which has decreased invasive HIB infections by 99%.  We have reviewed the primary data on the effects of vaccines, especially the studies of MMR, Thimerosal,  and links to Autism.  We want to educate parents so that they can feel as comfortable vaccinating their children as we have been vaccinating ours.  In the end, the medical care of a child is the responsibility of both the Pediatrician and the parent and we support this fully.”

ASHEVILLE MEDICINE AND PEDATRICS RECOMMENDED VACCINE SCHEDULE

Vaccine Related Links
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/autism/
http://www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/thimerosal/
http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm

Patient General Information and Links

AAP - wonderful source for all types of patient education material.
CDC - best source for travel medicine. If you are planning a trip overseas this can be of great value. Click on Travelers Health and choose your location. We can provide travel advice and immunizations. Please call our office to inquire.
WebMD - patient information