Grow Up Healthy
From birth to early adulthood, we pride ourselves on caring for your children as if they were our own. We offer progressive care and are affiliated with Chicago’s leading hospitals and teaching institutions.

Summer News

As our long awaited summer approaches, it is not too early to think about planning for the sunny days ahead. In order to accomodate your busy summer schedules, we will be offering extended hours on Mondays beginning after Memorial Day. Please us call for more details. Many camps and summer programs require updated physical exams, so please take a moment to make sure your child has had a check up in the past twelve months. This is also the time of year to be certain all of your spring allergy medicines are up current and well stocked. And of course it's never too soon to plan for the next academic year. Remember that Illinois now requires an exam for entrance to all levels of day care and preschool as well as kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade. Immunizations may also be due at these times. A new Illinois law requires an updated ADAcell (Diptheria-Pertussis- Tetanus) for all children in sixth grade or above. Many colleges and universities also require current physical exams as well as a meningitis booster. Please call us if you have any questions. We are also pleased to announce that we are now All Kids Insurance providers. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Last but not least, on June 9th a new era of care for children will begin in Chicago as the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago opens it doors. We are proud to be part of such an amazing institution and we are confident it will continue the standard of excellence set by its predecessor Children's Memorial Hospital.

About the Practice

As one of the most established practices in the area, we still offer the accessibility and ease of a small town doctor’s office. Conveniently located at the cross roads of Chicago, Evanston, Lincolnwood and Skokie we see children from all around the City and the North Shore. For more than 80 years, we have provided a caring environment your family can call home. As your child’s medical advocate, we seek to ensure their physical, emotional and developmental well-being. Founded in 1923, by Dr. Traisman’s grandfather, Alfred Traisman, M.D., we continue his legacy of compassionate care. All of our doctors are board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and are faculty at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine where we shape policy and standards of care of all children. We are also active staff members at Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and NorthShore University Health Systems Evanston Hospital.

Meet the Doctors
Dr. Edward Traisman

Edward Traisman, M.D.

Dr. Traisman graduated from the Honors Program at Northwestern University Medical School in 1981. After completing his pediatric training at Children's Memorial Hospital in 1984 he joined our practice. His area of interest is pediatric rehabilitation medicine and the care of the chronically ill. Dr. Traisman is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Medical School. Away from the office, he likes to run for exercise and enjoys creating clay figure sculpture.

Dr. Irwin Benuck

Irwin Benuck, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Benuck received a Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology in 1974 and undertook two years of postgraduate work in human and behavioral genetics before graduating from Northwestern University Medical School in 1979. He completed his residency at Children's Memorial Hospital in 1982 when he joined our practice. He is the Divison Head for Community-Based Pediatrics for the Department of of Pediatrics at Children's Memorial Hospital and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Unversity and is the attending physician for the Preventive Cardiology Program at Children's Memorial Hospital. His interests include preventive health and cardiology. In his free time, Dr. Benuck enjoys spending time with his wife of 35 years and spoiling his two grandchildren.

Dr. Teri Merens

Teri A. Merens, M.D.

Dr. Merens received her MD from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in 1986. Previously, she received an M.S. at The Ohio State University in Microbiology. She completed her residency at Loyola University Medical Center in 1989 where she served as Chief Resident of Pediatrics and joined our practice in 1989. Dr. Merens enjoys providing well child care for patients of all ages but has an added interest in adolescent health issues and gynecology. In her free time she enjoys cooking, various outdoor activities and following the youth and high school sports careeers of her children. Dr. Merens is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University Medical School.

Dr. Valerie Kimball

Valerie A. Kimball, M.D.

Dr. Kimball received her MD from The University of Illinois, Chicago in 2001 and completed her Pediatric Residency at Loyola University Medical Center in 2004. Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Kimball earned a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1993 and worked in a muscle physiology research laboratory at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Kimball is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her medical sphere of interest is the care and development of infants and young children. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her three active children and is also an avid runner.

Meet our Staff

Martha MartinezMartha has been with our office since 1996. She is a member of our cheerful front desk staff and is always happy to assist you. Martha speaks English and Spanish.

Patty HarrisonPatty has been a member of our laboratory staff since 1987. As our laboratory technician she offers families compassionate and friendly care. Patty speaks English and Greek.

Cindy RiveraCindy is a member of our cheerful front desk staff and has been with us for two years. She speaks both English and Spanish.

Marilyn TokarskiMarilyn is our office manager and has been with us since 1988. She is our insurance and billing expert and keeps our office running smoothly.

Delia CastineirasDelia has recently joined our front desk staff. She has extensive experience in the medical billing and insurance fields and we are pleased to welcome her to our practice.

Make an Appointment

We look forward to getting to know your family. All of our doctors are currently accepting new patients, and we invite you to call us at (847) 869-4300 to schedule a visit for your child today. It’s best to schedule routine examinations and follow-ups as far in advance as possible so you may arrange a time convenient for you. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call to reschedule 24 hours in advance. It is our policy to see all children who need immediate attention on a same-day basis whenever possible and one of the doctors is always on call 24/7 in case of emergency.

FAQs

Are your pediatricians board certified?

All our doctors are board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and maintain yearly continued medical education.

Are you taking new patients?

Yes, we are accepting patients that are new to the area, transferring to us with records from the previous pediatrician, and/or newborns.

Is there a doctor available 24 hours a day?

If there is a life-threatening emergency please call 911.

In case of poisoning call the Poison Control phone number 1-800-222-1222.

If the office is closed and you have an urgent problem, call the main number of our office 847-869-4300 and follow the prompts. Calls concerning medication refills or appointments should be made during normal business hours.

What services are available during weekends and holidays?

We offer all our customary services whenever our office is open (see office hours). When the office is closed, urgent problems will be handled by our on-call physician.

Do you take walk-ins?

We ask that you call the office to make an appointment for your child. If you come without an appointment, we will try to work you into the schedule which may involve some waiting. If your child is ill, it’s best to first call to speak to a physician.

How long must I wait for an appointment for a sick child?

We see sick children the same day that you call if the severity of the illness necessitates immediate care.

What is the schedule for well visit check-ups?

We schedule well-child care according to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. We recommend visits at 1-2 weeks, 1,2,4,6, 9,12,15 and 18 months of age. Check-ups are also recommended for 2 and 3 year old children; then once a year, usually near the child’s birthday. The doctor may change these recommendations depending on the child’s condition.

What years are school physicals mandatory?

Before the following grades: Pre-school, kindergarten, 6th and 9th grades. Annual exams are required for Jr. High and High School sports.

Do teenagers need to come in for physicals every year?

Yes. We recommend this per the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics. During these exams teens are able to get reliable answers to questions that may be difficult to ask other adults as well as counseling the teen on normal maturing and a healthy lifestyle.

What if my insurance requires a referral to see a specialist?

If your insurance requires a referral to see a specialist, please give our office 5 days advance notice for processing. We will be happy to assist you!

What age children does your practice see?

We see children from birth thru the college years.

What forms do I need for my first visit?

We ask that you bring your child’s immunization records, insurance card, Medical History and Patient Registration forms. If you do not have your child’s immunization records, you must fill out an Authorization for Release of Information form and send it to your child’s previous doctor. Patient Registrations and Medical History forms can be downloaded and filled out prior to your child’s visit. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your child’s visit so we may complete your child’s information for our billing system.

When do you expect me to pay my insurance co-payment?

You are required by your insurance company to pay your co-payment obligation at the time of service. To make your check-out easier, we collect the co-pay before your child is seen by the doctor.

Will my child always see the same medical provider?

Most patients in our practice associate with one physician; however, due to vacations, days-off, or physician schedules, your child may see another doctor during an urgent visit.

I need a form for daycare, school, camp or sports. How can I get one?

If your child has been seen within the last year, we can prepare a form from your child’s chart. If we have not seen your child in the last year, you will have to schedule an appointment for a check-up.

How do I get a copy of my child’s medical records?

We need a signed authorization to release records. Patients over 18 years of age must sign the release themselves.

Will the doctor call in an antibiotic for my child without them being seen?

NO. Your doctor needs to examine the child and determine what treatment is appropriate.

How can I get my child’s medicines refilled?

Medication refills are handled on an individual basis based on your child’s health and medication needs. Please call the office during business hours to request refills.

ADHD Medications

All children with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder on stimulant medicines require a medication check/visit every 4-6 months. Between these visits, monthly refills may be requested by phone with at least 24hrs advance notice. These prescriptions must be picked up at the office. By federal regulations we are not permitted to mail, fax or phone in these prescriptions.

Contact Us

Contact

Phone: (847) 869-4300
Fax: (847) 869-4330

Hours

Office hours are from 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday and from 8:30 am to 11:30 am on Saturday for both well and sick visits. Look for our extended hours soon!

Emergencies

We’re on-call for our patients after-hours, 365 days a year. Reach us at 847-869-4300.

Location

Our office is conveniently located in the Charter One Bank Building:
1325 Howard Street, Suite 203
Evanston, IL 60202

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