FAQs
Q: What are my options for After Hours Care?
A: The Healthy Hotline answers all your healthcare questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (903) 315-GSHS (4747) or Toll Free (888)315-GSHS (4747).
Urgent Care services are available a short distance from Henderson at the Good Shepherd Family Health Center in Kilgore.
Open Late and on Weekends
Monday – Friday 8 am to 7 pm
Saturday 8 am to 6 pm
(903) 984-1394
In the event of a true emergency, please go to your nearest Emergency Department.
Q: Why should I choose a board certified pediatrician for my child?
- Pediatricians are specially educated and trained in diagnosing and treating illnesses in infants, children and adolescents.
- Pediatricians are not just about shots and growth charts. We are concerned with your child’s entire spectrum of development – physical, mental, social, and emotional.
- Pediatricians have a great deal of education and training about infectious diseases in children.
Q: Why is there sometimes a wait to see Dr. Pai?
A: No one likes to wait at the doctor’s office. We don’t want patients to have to wait. We continuously monitor wait times and try to improve our office workflow. Unfortunately, with pediatrics, there are always things that come up unexpectedly in our schedule. We can be running right on time, but one patient is all it takes to fall behind. Please be patient with us! Remember if it is your child that needs the extra time, we will take that time.
If it is important to you to have less of a wait time, avoid late morning or late afternoon appointments (more time for us to get caught up in something), and avoid busy Mondays and Fridays, as well as the day before and after holidays.
Q: How do I change my child’s doctor to Dr. Pai?
A: Any transfer of medical records must be requested in writing and include the full name and birth date of the patient, along with a signature from the legally responsible parent or guardian. Please include addresses and phone numbers of the other office. Our office provides a form to fill out to make this process easy, found on our Forms page.
Q: Who is a Pediatric Hospitalist?
A: A pediatric hospitalist is a doctor specializing in providing medical care to children in a hospital setting. Dr. Pai has retired the hospital side of his practice and uses the services of a hospitalist to provide inpatient care for his patients. In Longview, at Good Shepherd Medical Center, a pediatric hospitalist provides medical care to the children who are admitted. As a dedicated pediatric hospitalist, this doctor works closely with Dr. Pai to provide hospital-based care. Upon discharge, patients will followup with Dr.Pai for continuity of care. If you prefer to use ETMC-Henderson, the hospital will designate the hospitalist for your child.
