Hirsch Clinic, Viroqua

The receptionist, Sandy was extremely helpful! She took the time to research my questions! Sandy is truly an asset to Hirsch clinic. Thank you, Sandy!

A clinic whereby the word
care, in Health-Care, is actually practiced.

My children have been seen by two providers at Hirsch. Shayna Pankratz, NP and Dr. David Chakoian.

Shayna is generally kind and attentive at well child checks. However, when my children had croup and were unable to breathe at night, she was very unsympathetic and refused to make any suggestions about symptom management. Her only advice was elderberry syrup. I don't object to that kind of advice, but it was insufficient for a child with breathing trouble. Surely she could have advised elderberry syrup in conjunction with something to target the breathing issues. She essentially told us that until the child was in crisis (respiratory distress while in her office, retractions, etc) that she could not/would not recommend additional interventions.

Additionally, at another visit, my four-year old worked up the courage to ask Shayna if he would have to have shots at his next well check. It was a difficult question for him to ask, and instead of taking him seriously, she blew him off. He has asked to return to his previous doctor instead of seeing Shayna again.

We only saw Dr. Chakoian once, for a sick visit, but we were very happy with his care. He was attentive, knowledgeable, up to date on the most recent recommendations, and aware of how symptoms might vary at different times of day. He provided clear, concrete advice and assistance, listened well, and was thorough but efficient in his assessment. If we continue with Hirsch Clinic, we will seek him out again.

The nurse line at Hirsch is absolutely useless. Every call results in "You better have them seen right away and/or bring them in to Urgent Care or the Emergency Room." After two sick visits in one week (again, the croup situation), I called in again for help with the same symptoms, and the nurse line would not provide any advice or help "without assessment" despite having been assessed twice within the last week and having received a diagnosis by one provider and then had it confirmed by a second provider. I was floored that they would find it reasonable to say that my children had not been seen or evaluated.

I am used to a nurse help line that can provide at least basic suggestions and a symptom threshold for non-emergency and emergency care even before a child has been seen. To provide no support AFTER a child has been seen is shocking. A major purpose of primary care is to intervene BEFORE things reach a crisis point, but this does not seem to be the policy. Perhaps there is a conflict of interest in visiting a clinic that is operated by the same organization (company) that runs the hospital.