Dr. Carlson is very old-school mainstream in most of her attitudes, but nevertheless she is respectful of parents wishes and opinions. In my experience, she didn't over-prescribe medications. In the office setting: while Dr. Carlson can be assertive about her medical opinions, she was not overbearingly pushy, even when we disagreed. I always felt quite respected in my position as my child's parent, best advocate and the final word on their care. I did not experience the typical arrogant god-complex so typical in too many pediatricians nowadays, which is why I kept coming back. I met Dr. Carlson when she attended the birth of one of my children. I had not planned on having a hospital birth, but my midwife forced the issue. I did not AT ALL like how I was treated by the combined forces of my midwife and Dr. Carlson during that birth. It didn't seem like Carlson was in any way comfortable with waterbirth. I don't think she trusts it or understands it. I feel like she even brought an element of panic into the actual moment of delivery. She ignored me when I said not to cut the cord, and instead cut it immediately. So I was instantly separated from my baby and furious at not being allowed to hold my child until well after the placenta had been delivered. However, upon examining my baby, Carlson totally reamed out my attending midwife, in front of everyone, for what she felt was an unnecessary induction. I was so impressed by that ballsy action that I forgave the rest, and retained her as our family's primary care provider while we lived in the Flathead Valley. Two years after our move, we returned to Kalispell have our last baby at KRMC. It was a nice hello-goodbye surprise and a relief to run into Dr. Carlson again with another newborn... but I was also glad that she hadn't been in the birth room again with us. read more