John H. Beckerman, MD FAAP – Pediatric Care

Dr. Beckerman (and his staff) are great. My kids have been going there for 16 years. The kids love going (well, as much as they can) and I trust them. They’ve been there for us when the kids were sick. They work us into the schedule on short notice and are available via phone for advice when needed. We’ve been very happy with them.

I love Dr. Beckerman! Our first visit with him was for a 4 day old check up. He is always punctual and thorough. I’ve had to use the after hours on call service a few times and I’ve always gotten an immediate call back.
Dr. Beckerman once provided an antibiotic for a cough, that I thought seemed to be overkill. I filled the prescription nonetheless, and a few days later I had to take my son to the ER for breathing difficulties. He had pneumonia, if Dr. Beckerman hadn’t started him on antibiotics 3 days earlier we would have surely spent several days in the hospital.
He is great with our son, and is really a lot of fun.

We’ve used this office since my firstborn arrived at Good Shepherd 12 years ago, and I have nothing but the best things to say.
Dr. Beckerman and everyone else in this practice is professional, knowledgeable, and amiable, including the nursing staff. I very much appreciate that they do not demand that I haul my kid in for everything … they are willing to give advice about OTC treatments over the phone, and have never missed the mark for us. They’re also always happy to have an in-​person visit if I feel its warranted.
My kids are comfortable with everyone on staff there, and their offices are clean and well-​maintained. (A short stint on different insurance sent us to a different pediatrician’s practice for a while and we got a good idea about how nice it is here.) I unequivocally recommend.

Sadly… my review is negative for Dr. Beckerman. I will preface this with saying that I had high hopes for a solid relationship with my new pediatrician and it wasn’t to be.
In a nutshell, Dr. Beckerman, while having a positive and upbeat manner, completely missed a diagnosis of strep throat in my daughter. I went in on a Monday morning, my daughter had had a temperature of 101 – 103 for 3 days and coughing and a sore throat. He told me she was «basically fine» and that whatever she had, it was a virus and it would «play itself out». I was surprised by this and told him I was sure there had to be something, as my daughter was wanting long naps and telling me it hurt when she swallowed, etc. He laughed it off, gave me mini-​lecture on viruses and told me that she could go back to school the next day if she had no fever.
I thought, well, hell, he’s the doctor… ok.
So we went home and her fever did go away and so I sent her to school the next day, even though she still had a sore throat… but it’s the second week of school and she was dying to go back. On Tuesday, I called the doctor again and spoke to his nurse that assured me, that it was most likely still a virus and that if she still had a fever or sore throat by Friday, to give them a call. I was dubious, but hello, they are the professionals, right? By Wednesday, the sore throat persisted and she was starting to cry when she was swallowing… and she’d developed hives. Whoa…
Took her to immediate care, where they were baffled as to how Dr. Beckerman had missed the redness of the throat and swollen glands. I mentioned that he didn’t look at her throat and they shook their heads and suggested we talk to him about her having strep now.
I get that doctors aren’t God, of course not! But… Dr. Beckerman rushed through the appointment, didn’t really listen to what a mother was trying to say… we are the best advocates for our children, and we know them best. He ignored my suggestions and essentially told me that he knew better.
But he didn’t. And my daughter was sick for two extra days because he was WRONG. And she exposed all the kids in her class and on the bus and guess what? Now *I* have strep and my husband will probably be next. Frustrating
When I called him to talk about this, I thought I’d get empathy and consideration for what happened. Nope. Dr. Beckerman was defensive and talked over my comments. Even went as far as to say that I must not have said anything about her having a sore throat. I was agape at his rude tone and the fact that not once did he ask how she was and if she had improved. No… it was all about him and his repuation. Very sad. I told him that I fgured that we’d go elsewhere and he let me know that he was «fine with that» and hung up. Nice and gee, very professsional.
We’ll be on the hunt for a new pediatrician… Dr. Beckerman might be more suited to older kids, but I know that he won’t be getting our business or the business of anyone who asks my opinion on finding a new pediatrician.

We have been taking our daughter to Dr. Beckerman since birth… she is now 4 and she loves him — we all do! He takes the time to listen, he is always kind and funny, but he knows his stuff. He even went outside with our daughter at lunch time and fed the birds! The whole staff in his office is good, and the nurses are great. I will miss him when our little girl grows up!

Aw, sad to see there are no reviews on Dr Beckman here so I’m writing one! I decided on him becuase if you do a google on him, there are many great reviews– just not here yet it seems. He is a great doctor. First time I met him was in the hospital where he came to check on my little one the day he was born. He was such a sweet doctor and my other son, 5 year old, loved him. He’s funny and very upbeat with both parents and kids. Only reason I don’t give him 5 stars is I am one who started freaking out about the vaccine «topic» and asked him for his take on this. His advice there– well he was one sided on being pro-​vaccine (TOTALLY understand). I just, at that time, needed a doctor who was more neutral on the topic who saw both sides and might advise me and be open to a different more careful schedule. So, I found a different doctor who was more neutral… but, if you’re not someone concerned about the vaccine item– I do give him 5 stars!

We like Dr. Beckerman. I’ve been bringing my son here for about ten years. While his behavior can be a bit odd, and he does like to talk — he seems very intelligent, and I trust his judgement. I think he tries to educate his patients (and parents) while there, and let them know what he thinks is going on.
The office is full of nurses and ladies at the front desk. The ladies are usually friendly, and listen to what you need. The office itself is bright, and clean. There’s a series of small, private exam rooms.
The office has always been able to accommodate getting us in when needed.
I’m a bit attached to Good Shepherd Hospital and associated buildings. I have come to the Good Shepherd facilities since I was a kid, myself. My own pediatrician was in this same Doctor’s building.
I started bringing my son here when we lived in Algonquin. We moved to Buffalo Grove about 5 years ago, and I STILL make the drive out to Barrington to see him, which goes to show how much I like him — because it’s quite a drive to get there.
Would I recommend Dr. Beckerman? ABSOLUTELY.