2: Do you provide well child services? I can do check ups and provide well child services, but I do not encourage blind obedience to protocol. If you have questions or concerns about your child, I am happy to address these, but you should not feel obliged to visit a medical professional simply because your child is 6 months old, for example. If you want your child immunized, vaccinations are available through Rayford Medical, 281-419-1599.

3: How are your services different than regular pediatric health care? In some ways, they are not. I am, after all, a pediatrician. But our focus at HEAL is on education and empowerment. I prefer to present options and informed opinions, and to then encourage families to play a major role in health care decisions. In addition, there are some services that we do not offer that are standard in other medical practices such as infant circumcision. We do not offer any hospital based services, and we do not guarantee emergency availability; in other words we do not have a doctor "on call". This does not mean that I cannot be called or reached after hours or on weekends; usually I can. Rayford Medical does have 24 hour phone access and does admit patients, but I am only one member of that group, and I do not handle the in-patient responsibilities for the group.

4: What is the role of your other consultant, Maria Frontis Stowe? Dr. Maria Stowe has worked extensively in the fields of family therapy and obstetrics, and her expertise and insight in these and related areas are unique and informative. However, Dr. Maria Stowe received her medical training in Mexico. She is not licensed to practice medicine in Texas. She functions purely as a co-consultant in areas of health education, never as a treating physician.

5. How does someone obtain services ? It is easiest to access medical consults with me through Rayford Medical (281-419-1599) since I have office hours there Monday-Friday. For home visits, appointments in Houston and other services, call 713-201-6704 or email through this web site.

6: How about workshops? The workshops are usually the second or third weekend of the month from 1-4 and will alternate Saturday and Sunday. Location will be the Wichita property once the building is usable. Temporary workshop location is 5702 Council Grove Ln,. Houston 77088. I have decided to have the workshops be more of an ongoing conversation about our children. My goal is to have an alternative perspective on child health out there for the larger community on an ongoing basis.

7: What do you charge for services? Fees at Rayford Medical are set by that practice. Call 281-419-1599 for information. Fees through HEAL are negotiable, but standard fees are as follows. Individual consults are $60 for up 15 minutes, $100 for up to 30 minutes, and thereafter $200/ hour. I charge $200 (plus mileage/tolls) for newborn and well child home visits which usually last about 45 minutes-1 hr.. Fees for acute care home visits made after hours or on weekends will be negotiated on a case by case basis.Workshops are offered as a community service; contributions are welcome and much appreciated, but not required. The suggested minimum contribution is $20; there is no maximum. Telephone consults are an option, and will be charged on a case by case basis.

8: What forms of payment do you accept? HEAL accepts cash and checks. All payment is due at the time services are rendered unless prior arrangements are made. HEAL does not accept any form of insurance as a matter of principle and philosophy. You may be able to submit charges to an insurance company for reimbursement yourself, since I am a licensed physician and board eligible pediatrician. Families with insurance also have the option of consulting with  me at Rayford Medical; phone 281-419-1599. This facility accepts most forms of insurance.