Coquelet & Punger Family Medicine P.A., Ft. Pierce, Florida

Dr. Coquelet admits patients 18-year-old and above
to Saint Lucie Medical Center and Lawnwood Medical Center.

During the week, he holds the beeper folr C & P patients. On the weekend he is part of a call group of other physicians in private practice and another physician may respond to your call.

Dr. Punger sees patients of all ages including newborns. Patients under 18-year-old will establish with Dr. Punger. She really looks forward to having young patients in the practice looking for an alternative to the protocols of traditional well-child care. When making an appointment with Dr. Punger, you will see Dr. Punger--not an assistant or partner. Dr. Punger takes nearly 24/7 telephone call for under 18 years old in the practice and responds to appropriate emails. Despite not having weekend hours, her patients say she is available and respond quickly. She keeps the pediatric part of her practice low volume, so as not to get overwhelmed herself and to give you personal care.

She does not do pediatric hospital admissions. Formal coverage for pediatric patients who need hospitalization has been arranged with Pediatricians at Martin Memorial and St. Lucie Medical Center (see patient policy).

Our pediatric patients are also free to make their own hospital arrangements, especially those that drive a distance to see us, but want to use their local hospital. Currently babies have come in for well-child care from WPB to Cocoa.

Dr. Punger is pleased to have this arrangement with the pediatricians to free her from all the obligations call involves in order to have time for community advocacy, writing, and other awareness activities and, of course, to have time with her three sons. She can specialize in out-patient medicine and keep your well kids well, and refer to the specialist (pediatricians), who trained in hospital-type work when the rare needs arises. Many parents think that if they have a "pediatrician," then when the kids get sick, THIS pediatrician will be the one who admits the sick child to the hospital. In reality, you will still get the call group. And if you see a PA or nurse practicioner in a pediatric office, your PA or NP most likely will not do the admission. You will get the call group. So the point is-- don't be detered from choosing Dr. Punger to take care of your child in the office, when that is where most care of children takes place. The same local hospital call groups cover her practice just as they cover their own practices.