The Mailboxes Have Been Found—and So Has the Strep: My First Weekend at Direct Pediatrics

If you read my last blog post about my first day at Direct Pediatrics, you may remember that there were two very important things I had not yet located:

The dumpster.

And the mailbox.

Good news.

I found the mailboxes.

Even better news?

Apparently, the cleaners take the trash out.

So I can officially stop looking for the dumpster.

This feels like progress.

My first weekend at Direct Pediatrics

And then came my first weekend.

Not just any weekend, either.

A holiday weekend.

Because apparently starting a new pediatric practice wasn't enough of an adventure.

And, of course, we had our first cases of strep.

Two of them.

So I think we can officially say it now:

Direct Pediatrics has arrived.

There is something oddly reassuring about seeing the first few sick kids come through the door. This is what I came here to do.

Take care of kids.

Help parents.

Answer questions.

And hopefully make some of those stressful moments a little easier.

But here's the part I really want parents to understand

One of the things I love most about Direct Pediatrics is that pediatric care doesn't have to stop just because the office closes.

For members, you have my number.

You can text me.

You can call me.

And if your child gets sick at 7:00 PM on a Saturday night, you don't have to spend the evening wondering whether you should wait until Monday morning, head to urgent care, or sit in an emergency room for hours.

Text me.

We'll talk about what's going on.

Sometimes that conversation is enough.

Sometimes I'll call you back.

Sometimes your child needs to be seen.

And if they do, I can see them after hours or on the weekend when appropriate.

That's a pretty big change from the traditional pediatric office model.

And honestly, it's one of the reasons I wanted to make this change.

Kids don't always get sick between 8 and 5

As a mom, I know this.

As a pediatrician, I definitely know this.

Ear infections don't check the clock.

Strep doesn't care if it's Saturday.

Fevers don't conveniently wait until Monday morning.

And the stomach bug has absolutely no respect for your work schedule.

Parents shouldn't have to feel like they're bothering their pediatrician when their child gets sick outside of regular office hours.

If you're a member of Direct Pediatrics, you have direct access to me.

That doesn't mean every fever requires a visit.

It doesn't mean you need to text me every time your child sneezes.

It means you have someone you know and trust to help you figure out what to do when you're not sure.

Sometimes that's a quick text.

Sometimes it's a prescription.

Sometimes it's an appointment.

And sometimes it's simply reassurance that your child is okay.

What about nonmembers?

I'm still seeing nonmembers, too.

Nonmembers can schedule appointments with me during regular office hours, including sick visits and other pediatric care.

So if your child wakes up sick on a Tuesday morning, you can still make an appointment to see me.

The difference is that membership gives families something extra:

direct access to me outside of regular office hours.

It's one of the biggest benefits of the Direct Pediatrics model, and after this first weekend, I'm even more convinced of how valuable it can be.

So, what's next?

The office is starting to feel a little more like my office.

I know where the mailboxes are.

I know someone else is taking out the trash.

I've survived my first holiday weekend.

I've seen my first two cases of strep.

And I'm settling into this new rhythm.

There are still things to learn.

There are still systems I'm figuring out.

And I'm sure there will be plenty more stories along the way.

But the most important part is happening already.

I'm seeing kids.

I'm talking with parents.

I'm getting to know families.

And I'm getting to practice pediatrics in the way I've always wanted to practice it—with time, access, and an actual relationship between the pediatrician and the family.

That's what this next chapter is really about.

And I'm pretty excited about it.

Bring on the next sick kid.

Just maybe not another case of strep.

I've seen enough for one weekend.

Dr. Meagan Peek