1) Why should we see you?
I have many years of experience in pediatrics, extra years studying pharmacy (with a Master’s of Science in Regulatory Science from The USC School of Pharmacy, with a focus on pediatric clinical trials), and am a mother myself, with both professional and personal experience navigating the tough world of subspecialty pediatric care, including DBP and early intervention therapists and schools in Los Angeles. I keep up to date with the latest medical research every day. I keep my practice small, so I can give my patients the time they need. I have time to answer questions, explain, teach, learn, and have fun. I personalize each patient’s care, because I get to know them and their medical history. I keep meticulous records, for comprehensive care and accuracy. The office I work in offers same-day appointments, so I can always see my patients when I am in the office, and there is another board-certified pediatric physician available to see my patients when I am out.
2) What services do you provide?
I provide all regular services offered at an outpatient general pediatrician practice. This includes regular well check exams for infants, children, and adolescents through college (up to age 21), sports clearance exams, surgery clearance exams, same-day sick visits, chronic medical problem management and coordination, including for behavioral health, basic tests for well and sick visits, and medications that may need to be given in the office (e.g. albuterol, ceftriaxone, or dermabond).
3) Which insurance plans do you take?
Robertson Pediatrics accepts most major PPOs, including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross, and Blue Shield. To be sure you are covered, please check with your insurance if “Robertson Pediatrics” or “Samuel Sungwon Kim” is an in-network provider within your plan (sometimes the insurance plan will mention one of the physicians in the practice and sometimes it will mention the practice name, as long as it includes one of them, you should be covered), You can also call and speak to the office manager directly for more information. Or email info@robertsonpediatrics.com
The office does not take any HMO plans or Medicare/MediCal. If you have an HMO plan, or an out-of-network PPO, such as Oscar, you may be seen on a cash basis. Please call and speak to the office manager about prices.
4) Where can I see you, and when?
I see newborn babies at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. If you give birth there, just tell the person checking you in that Dr. Cigal Shaham is your pediatrician (you may have to show them my name, as I have heard of people getting confused and paging a Dr. Shah instead) and they will call me. If you give birth at another hospital or birthing center, ask the pediatrician who sees the baby there when you should follow up with your pediatrician – it is usually about 2 days after discharge from the hospital. Then just call our office during regular business hours for an appointment. Please come in sooner if there are any concerns. I work with Dr. Sammy Kim who offers in-home follow-up visits for the first week after delivery.
I see patients in person at Robertson Pediatrics, 150 N. Robertson Blvd. Suite 307, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Dr. Sammy Kim will see my patients if I am not in. I also offer telemedicine (video conferencing) visits for some problems, so you can be seen from the comfort of your own home, with a video appointment. Those visits are best for issues that do not require an in-person exam. If your child is coughing, having breathing problems, having abdominal pain, or similar issues, it is very important to bring them in for a full in-person exam, which is available with same-day appointments Monday through Friday.
5) What do I need to do before the first appointment?
It would be helpful to have your child’s medical records transferred before the first appointment so that I can review them. If you can’t have all the records sent over in time, please fax or mail the vaccine records. Any records you send ahead of time will be very helpful, so I can review them before your appointment and be prepared. If you are transferring from an office with a patient portal, log on to that and download their immunization records, growth charts, last check-up, and last problem-based visit notes. There may be a category in the portal to download a summary of your child’s chart as well. You can usually download these files in PDF form and e-mail them to the new practice. Please let Robertson Pediatrics know that I am your primary pediatrician, so I will be given your files to review and update the electronic medical record.
6) How do I transfer records between my old pediatrician and you?
Complete medical records require a signature for moving over (due to HIPAA) and there is a cost to print, copy, and mail the records (as per California law). Ask the administrative assistants at your old office for the form to sign to transfer records, or we can have you complete a form in our office and fax it for you.
7) What is the full contact information for your office?
Robertson Pediatrics
150 N. Robertson Blvd. Suite 307
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Office phone 310-659-8687
Fax number 310-659-2420
http://robertsonpediatrics.com
8) What about e-mail?
I can be reached at ShahamMD@gmail.com for non-urgent issues with which you don’t mind being on an open platform. You can also email me via Cedars at cigal.shaham@cshs.org. If your child is sick, or has an urgent issue, please call the office to speak to me or the on-call provider quickly. If you have a school form or other office-related matter, please email the office directly. Please include your child’s name and date of birth in all emails, as well as a phone number where you can be reached, in case a follow-up call is needed. Keep in mind that phone calls from the office sometimes appear as a blocked number. Thanks to everyone in advance for not abusing this privilege.
9) Social Media Connections
My Blog (try scrolling through “old” posts to see more topics)