We are absolutely blessed to have this practice in our community. MD's with a holistic view on health and illness, i.e., they don't just throw a pill, cream, inhaler at every problem, they try to get to the root cause. I always recommend this practice to friends whose children have autoimmune issues (allergies, eczema). There is an emphasis on nutrition which I think is sorely lacking in other practices. The fee to join the practice allows them to stay in business. These aren't wealthy doctors driving fancy cars. read more

We switched from a more "mainstream" practice after our son had a bad vaccine reaction and we wanted someone to talk with us honestly about what our options were. Couldn't be happier with the care. We use our FSA funds for the membership fee- we just got a letter from PA explaining how it was for the physician using the Electronic Record. They apparently have a standard form letter for this now. Other reviewers said they didn't but those reviews must be old. read more

The doctors are incredible, the front office is horrible. They do not return phone calls - ever. I've experienced this is since we joined 2.5 years ago. Their billing department is a mess and a nightmare to work with. They have continued to charge me monthly $72 for the membership after I had cancelled it. It took 3 months (!) to get Sandrine on the phone to finally cancel our membership. I asked for a confirmation email, where she replied, "No need, it's as easy as a click of a button." Well, she couldn't even execute the click of a button, because I was once again, charged the monthly fee. I never received the confirmation email either. I've been calling about this for a week now, the front office again, sent me to Sandrine's voicemail, where I left another pointless message. The front office gal, said I should get a call by the end of the week, and if not, to call back. Way to have a solution to the problem, office staff. If I could simply walk into the facility and get this handled, I would, but I no longer live in the state to be able to do so. Hence the cancellation of our membership. My question for the staff is - Why is this so hard? Why is it so hard to take care of your paying patients and their needs? Isn't this the essence of your job? You gladly take our money and take up our time with the runaround, but when a request for you to remedy a situation that's fairly simple and straightforward, there are nothing but unreturned voicemails and unauthorized charges on my credit card. read more

I can't say enough great things about Pediatric Alternatives. The doctors are brilliant, amazing and nurturing. Exactly what I want in a physician for my children. They consistently go above & beyond taking such good care of us, we feel like family. We are so lucky to have them. read more

Dr. Lindy Woodard is amazing! We have known her for over 17 years. She is a licensed M.D. focused on true health. Our sons have special needs and I am amazed at the dedication she has always given to them. I can't say enough. This world needs more doctors like her! read more

While some of the doctors in the practice are good, some are are not. Dr. stacia is a great pediatrician but is clueless when prescribing herbs. She gave my daughter an herbal tincture for her cough and the dose given made her lethargic within 5 minutes. I knew something was wrong so I researched the amount given, and it was a toxic dose. Luckily I only gave her half of what was recommended as I have studied herbs on my own extensively and felt the dose was incorrect. When questioning Dr stacia in the office, she saw nothing wrong with the dose prescribed. The next day, I ended up seeing the naturopath in their practice who confirmed that the dose of the herb prescribed was at a toxic level. Thankfully my daughter was fine, but pediatric MDs should stick with prescribing pharmaceuticals. A few classes on herbs or homeopathy do not make MDs experts in alternative medicine. Also, their fee for membership in their practice is ridiculous. Really? A fee for the mere privilege of seeing their doctors. The racket is that they are the only pediatricians In the area who do not push all vaccines on the California schedule. What happened to ethical medicine? Caveat emptor! read more

I grew up with a doctor who prescribed antibiotics at almost every visit. Today many of us know the harm that this can do and I'm so thankful that educated, intuitive medical pioneers like the doctors of PA are available and accessible for my children. The doctors we've seen (Stacia Lansman and Lindy Woodard) have an extensive knowledge of effective, alternative care which will not compromise your child's overall health. Although they have the ability to prescribe antibiotics, it gives me comfort to know they will not do this unless absolutely necessary. Emphasis is also placed on keeping the child healthy through proper diet and supplements.They look at the whole picture, rather than just treat the illness. read more

i wish there were a 10-star option. i can't imagine having to take my children to another pediatrician's group! the doctors at PA have pioneered an incredible model for healthcare and i applaud them for their vision and diligence in delivering preventative care while empowering parents to advocate for their children. i have learned so much about keeping my children healthy from the doctors here. in 11 years, we have never ONCE been prescribed antiobiotics for an ear infection. the entire staff have never been anything less than extremely kind and incredibly responsive. read more

For quality of care, access to the doctors and services, and the community programs they offer, you cannot get a better pediatric practice. Our son is likely more healthy because of the care he's received here. One caveat which is popping up more often these days with medical programs is the annual fee they charge to be part of their special programs. It may not be required. I don't know and this is of course a luxury for many but if you can swing it for your little ones, this is a great medical practice. AND, sometimes, they might even give you a little medical insight for your health and well being. read more

i have a somewhat limited experience with lindy woodard. my step-daughter sees her and given that we now have a one year old, it would have been preferable to keep all the kids under one pediatrician. in my time with LW, i can say that she's a nice doctor and that she's definitely alternative. she's not quick to prescribe a typical OTC or prescription medication. that i like about her. here's why she gets one star: BACKGROUND when i starting dating my now husband his five year old had been co-sleeping with him and his ex-wife for a number of years. it's obviously all water under the bridge at this point, but he was not an advocate of co-sleeping. he and his ex were definitely divided on this issue and from what i understand, sleeping in separate beds (ex and daughter in one bed and him in another) was a direct result. anyhow, after they split, he tried to remedy the issue both for his daughter's sake as well as his sanity. (try explaining to a date that your child has to be in the same bed.) Separately, they would both put her to bed in her own bed, but it was required that they stay until she fell asleep before they could leave the room. if she woke in the middle of the night, the process was repeated. my SD (step-daughter) has seen two certified child psychologists (in case she needed help with the divorce) and both recommended that the parents not co-sleep with the kid. "she has to be able to put herself to sleep, confidence issues will develop as a result, furthermore, sleep issues will arise from this and the fact that each household has a different rule". needless to say, nothing changed. DR. WOODARD: the ex then went to see LW. she has been caring for my SD since birth, so she was a trusted family advisor. LW gladly agreed that co-sleeping was a good idea. the next week when we saw my SD, she pronounced, "daddy, dr. woodard said it was okay for me to sleep in the same bed with you and mommy". how could LW do this? my husband thought there may be more to the story, so he tried to talk to LW to confirm. the request to talk on the phone or via email was refused. he was required to make a paid appointment ($75 ON TOP of the "secret garden" $450 membership fee renewal) with LW to ask her clarification on the appointment. her response: "your ex was going to do it anyway. she's going to do what she wants to do. she doesn't have the courage to stand up to your daughter." that is verbatim. PRESENT: three years later, at ten years of age, my stepdaughter has horrible sleep issues. but before that started, everything the psychologists said would happen did happen. my SD had confidence issues. she followed us around EVERYWHERE we went. she would wait in front of the bathroom if we were in it. about an hour or so before bedtime, she would start to get frantic and nervous. she would beg to sleep with us and if that didn't work, she would beg for us to stay until she fell asleep. today, my SD still sleeps with her mom (at ten years old, 5'1", 90 lbs!), but certainly not with us. my SD's sleep issues now manifest in various ways. one example is she runs to the bathroom three or four times at bedtime--diarrhea from nervousness, anticipating sleeping alone. RATIONALE: OK. obviously LW is nor responsible for my SD's sleep issues. her parents (my husband included) are. no young kid can succeed at anything if both parents have divergent points. it's NOT lindy woodard's fault. however (and this is a big however), is it medically irresponsible for her to contradict two certified psychologists? she knew about them and their opinions but she contradicted them anyway. she didn't have to say it was OK. there's a dozen variations on what she could have or should have said. she validated co-sleeping and contradicted two professionals. medically irresponsible. read more