White Chad, MD

When I discovered I was expecting, I turned to friends for recommendations for an OB/​Gyn. One of life’s necessities if you get in a certain way is not to be left to random walk-​ins. Chad White, one of the four doctors at Comprehensive Women’s Care, was enthusiastically recommended for helping a friend through a higher-​risk pregnancy and very challenging delivery. She cited his excellent bedside manner, gentle encouragement, and expertise as reasons for Mom and baby coming through with flying colours and no complications.
I reserved judgment until my first visit at the office in St. John’s Medical Centre in Grosse Pointe. Comprehensive Women’s Care is located on the third floor of professional building #2, connected by a walkway to the free parking structure. A bit of walking is required, nothing too undue for highly pregnant women, and assistance is only the press of a button away. CWC’s office is located on what I fondly call the «Ladies Wing,» along with the in-​house St John’s ultrasound clinic, other OB/​gyn offices, and the whole nine yards.
The ladies here are organized, set up with a packet of paperwork for your first visit and a battery of goodies to walk out with including those essential prenatal vitamins and a journal to record your experiences in. They’re a mostly paper office still, which comes as a shock for a Canadian used to near completely electronic records. Nonetheless, materials are transferred smoothly between Moross/​Detroit and their offices in Chesterfield and Sterling Heights.
Staff is largely made up of women, a bevy of sweet, patient souls happy to answer all and any questions. Pregnancy and the other aspects of womanhood we see specialists for are no mystery to them and they take away the taboo or unfamiliarity with unfailing good cheer. There’s one person on staff who I like much less than the others for a curt, sour lemon attitude, but my interactions with her are pretty much limited to a cursory hello and goodbye, so it doesn’t reflect on the practice. All the rest are complete gems who know how to put you at ease, dandle a baby or distract a cranky toddler. They draw blood and give instructions with gentle hands and professionalism.
Doctor White himself immediately set me at ease with his genial, lively manner. Nothing like the stiff white labcoat professionals sometimes portrayed on TV, he strikes me as a very happy Dr. House or much younger Dr. Cosby. A dynamo of energy, he takes great delight in working in a field he is clearly passionate about. I came away with the immediate impression he loves children and babies, and wants all women to have the healthiest pregnancy they possibly can. His manner really is fantastic, never rushed, answering all questions with great charm, patience, and a quick grin. He calls people friend and dude with infectious enthusiasm.
But don’t doubt that if the going gets tough, he can draw upon a catalog of experience and shift to a caring, knowledgeable demeanour. I encountered something I thought might be problematic, and despite my anxiety, he took the time to allay all my fears and explain every step of basic treatment. Fortunately the situation was just fine, but I remember his kind assurance that helped me calm down. I have no doubt that he’s just the sort of reassuring and certain presence wanted in the delivery room.
Doctor White is great about making accommodations for different schedules, even if his office hours aren’t generally extended. His staff will do their darnedest to get you in if they can. He is a fantastic doctor for informing patients of options in clear, plain language. I feel he’s engaged, listening, and foremost interested to know we’re on the same page and I am a happy, healthy patient. His care for our welfare is clear.
The only downside (other than his popularity and hours that coincide with work) might be the waiting time. You won’t necessarily get in the instant you show up for your appointment. On the other hand, I never feel rushed or needlessly abandoned in an examination room. For his personal manner and the great service I’ve received so far, I give him five stars. This is the man I want at my bedside when the going gets tough and the doctor I want to laugh with as I learn about another unexpected mystery of pregnancy making its appearance.