Chi Ching-Hwa MD

I brought my newborn baby to Dr Chi based on word of mouth, everyone seemed to really like him. We had 3 visits with him, 2 we waited for over an hour – with a small baby!!! Unacceptable. I also had a very hard time understanding him. He is very sweet but has no time for questions, is in and out very quickly –after making you wait that long, I feel this is not acceptable.
Language barrier, long waits, and the third strike for me was (to be honest at this point, I had made up my mind that I wasn’t going back) I was handed a letter by the receptionist saying that if we didn’t follow his catch up shot schedule he would not treat our baby any longer. He went from being understanding with a delayed vaccine schedule to a very strict one with shots given every two weeks just to «catch up to the schedule» and all with out saying a word to us about it. The receptionist said «you might as well just do it because no other Dr is going to take you.» Unfortunately for my first baby and as a first time parent, I’d say this was a terrible experience. I am happy to say I am now at a much better Dr/​office!

Really disappointing. I had looked forward to Dr Chi after being recommended from Midwives of NJ. First strike was the space itself– the fact that it’s in an ugly Taco Bell looking building with zero curb appeal and zero toys. Strike 2-​No «meet the doctor» visits allowed. You must transfer over to the practice without even meeting the guy– should have stopped there. Strike 3 — not friendly staff. strike 4– pile of dumdum lollipops and big open trash in waiting room, combine that with no toys a toddler and twenty minute wait. Strike 5– he treats you like you are another kid, very strange comportment. And the last strike, most insulting: just received word that unless I comply with strictest APA vaccine schedule within 30 days my son is effectively expelled from the practice, not even alternate schedule will be considered. Going to Dr. jeff Merkle locally instead. Boo!!!

On Christmas eve in 1980 my parents took me to the emergency room. I was only eight months old. Dr. Chi was my doctor and met my parents at the hospital. I was very sick and not expected to live through the night. It was told to me that Dr. Chi left the hospital and on his way home pulled over to a payphone. He had called the hospital to let them know he was coming back. Upon arriving he asked my Dad if they could do an experimental surgery to check my intestines. With no other options my parents agreed and they did the operation. Dr. Chi had diagnosed me correctly, I had intussusception. 34 years later and I am doing great. Thank you Dr. Chi for saving my life. –Melissa

I rarely write reviews but I wanted to let others know about my experience. Older parents in the area rave about Dr. Chi and I understand in that he is a very nice, pleasant older man who has a nice bedside manner. You can see that he’s been in practice for years and is a good doctor. The problem for me was that I felt like the communication wasn’t there at all. He definitely has a busy schedule so I understand he couldn’t spend alot of time explaining to me what was going on with my child, but then again, isn’t that what a new parent needs? It was for me. When I asked questions, I would get very little in return of a response. As a new parent, I need someone who would explain what’s wrong with my baby, communicate with me about my daughters progress, what to expect, and any random issues that I, as a new parent, have questions about. And this was honestly really hard to do. I felt bad about leaving because he is a very nice, good man, but I needed something more than just standard measurements and vaccinations.
As for the older front desk lady, when I expressed my concerns to her about the communication issue, she said that she could answer any questions I had about the baby and that most peds don’t really have time to speak to the parents and just have the nurses do office visits, so if I went elsewhere it would be worse. She also threatened repeatedly that if I left, they wouldn’t take me back. Wow!
I ended up finding another pediatrician. And for me, it was the right decision.

Dr. Chi is a legend– ask anyone with kids within a 50-​mile radius. My wife and daughter and I live in a PA town about 35 minutes away. There is a pediatrician within walking distance but we make the commute because we love Dr. Chi so much. So do half the people we know in town. We have called on a Sunday morning, and Dr. Chi has told us that he was in his office, so we should just stop by! The greatest doctor we’ve ever had– I would even call him a hero of the profession.
Favorite quote (repeat in Taiwanese-​American accent):
«Your baby so smart. She go to Harvard, Princeton.»