"Signing up with Child's Light is the best parenting decision we have made so far. A friend told us about how fantastic they are and they have lived up to every word of it. Both doctors visited us every day in the hospital after our son was born and it was magical how our baby would immediately grow calm when either of them held him. Since then they have made housecalls on weekends and answered phone calls and emails in the middle of the night. I still can't figure out how they manage to spend so much time with all of their patients. Between the time it takes to make a housecall and the time they spend with us when they're here, it amazes me they can have more than a handful of patients. And they are so incredibly pleasant when they are here. If you haven't already signed up with them, I encourage you to right away since they will need to cap their patient list."

If you are looking for pediatricians... you should have a conversation with Dr. Steve Martel [415-265-4448] and Dr. Oded Herbsman [415-265-4449]. They will come over to your house and explain all about what they do. It will seem too good to be true because we are so accustomed to bad service when it comes to health care. But trust me, they deliver even more than they promise.... My husband and I have just loved the great service and personal care our baby boy has received from Dr. Oded and Dr. Steve. They are not simply better than the other doctors that we interviewed/used - they are so much better that you cannot even begin to compare the experience. We don’t have family here and, because of their care and comprehensive “doctoring”, they have essentially become “family” to us in many ways. What you get with Dr. Steve and Dr. Oded is not a "pediatrician" but rather amazing 7 day a week/24-hour care. They come to our home for all visits, so we avoid the hassle and germs of a typical doctor's waiting room – and the hour it takes to get there and the hour it takes after arriving to actually see the doctor! They are available 24 hours a day by phone or email. And they are always patient and happy to hear from us whether it's a diaper rash, cradle cap or a funny "cough".... They respond to our calls and emails nearly immediately. When they need to - they come right away. Their average visit is an hour or so. And again, they are patient and kind and thorough. All of your questions will be addressed. And you'll get lots of interesting information that you didn't even think about asking about... In the course of the visit they will ask you questions and talk to you about things and before you know it you will have a very good understanding of the problem and the solution… Their practice is booming but I think they are still accepting patients. With that said, they have a cap on the number of patients they will accept [it’s part of the plan that they will keep the number of patients down so the service remains top notch] so you should contact them soon if you think this might be something you want to explore. Dr. Steve Martel can be reached at 415-265-4448 and Dr. Oded Herbsman can be reached at 415-265-4449. They will come to your home to introduce themselves and to tell you more about what they offer. You have to meet them to really understand what I'm saying.... Here is an email that I sent to a new mom that asked for information…. I'm a first time mom of a 4 1/2 month old baby and I call them daily with questions! They NEVER rush me or make me feel stupid. They ALWAYS listen and converse as if our baby is the most important thing they are going to think of all day. They are gifted and talented doctors - on the cutting edge of all things children - and they are sweet and funny too. I think that one thing that makes them such good doctors is that they are actually really interested in children and families - intellectually curious about medicine and life. And they are into the holistic stuff too which was really important to us.... The telephone numbers that I gave you are their cell phone numbers! They will either answer the call or call you back. You'll never hear the phrase "this is the help desk" again! even at nite - one of them is always available :) Also you can ck out their website at http://childslightpediatrics.com/ If you want more information…. read on… As an example of how amazing these doctors are.... I called Dr. Steve Monday night because my milk supply has dropped and I was concerned that my baby wasn't eating enough... Dr. Steve offered to come over right then and there.... but we decided that it could wait till Tuesday at 1 so that I could meet him at our house during my lunch hour at my CONVENIENCE! He came over yesterday to weigh my baby and felt that the baby was indeed not gaining enough weight.... he spent over an hour with us and FED MY BABY A BOTTLE! He was sooooo sweet. The nanny was about to give the baby the bottle when Dr. Steve said - hey, can I do that? I can't tell you what a doll he is and how much help he was to me yesterday – on an emotional level as well as on a doctoring level. We worked out a breastmilk/formula plan that will help my baby while my milk supply rebuilds. And you can be sure that he will be checking in with me via email and cell phone to make sure that everything is getting better – if not, he’ll adjust the plan. He came armed with information about herbs etc that have already helped to boost my milk supply by 10 - 20% in less than 24 hours. And he's coming back on Friday to weigh the baby again to make sure we are out of the woods. As you can see, I just can't say enough great things about these doctors! If you still need more – email me and ask me @ rewindgirl@gmail.com Stay healthy and happy! Rebecca

Concierge Pediatricians?! Now there's an idea. Drs. Steve and Oded showed up during our sixth day in the pediatric ICU at CPMC and we have never looked back. Being in the hospital was hardly comforting vindication after weeks of insisting with our previous pediatrician that something was wrong. We were referred by one of the more knowledgeable nurses at CPMC that Dr. Herbsman, who was then director of the pediatric ICU, was starting a new service with his colleague Dr. Martel. We would be hard pressed to sign up as adults for a concierge internist, but Child's Light Pediatrics is by far the best healthcare money we have spent. Impeccable clinical credentials (my husband is a medical investor and made multiple reference calls to understand this) and fantastic service (call their mobile phone and get an answer, a follow-up email and a visit when appropriate). No time wasted in a waiting room - they come to our house. Vaccinations and weigh ins - at our house. This is the way medicine was and should be practiced. Steve has spent most time with us and knows everything about our son, Oded has access to the same electronic records on his laptop. After six months, we consider them friends as much as our physicians. Both doctors are enthusiastic, accessible, supportive and smart. They were rare advocates in follow up procedures after the initial hospitalization and superb at navigating the SF medical system to find the best specialists. The old way is a $10 co-pay, this way is priceless.

We use Child's Light Pediatrics and LOVE them. Basically, they are two doctors that only make house calls. The deal is: you pay a nominal fee upfront (most of which is covered by insurance) and then you have access to them 24/7 (I only have their cell numbers) and they come to your house for everything (shots, well visits, etc.). It is amazing not to have to take my baby to an office where other sick kids are waiting to see the doctor! I can't tell you what a difference it has made having the doctors come to me. Additionally, if you have to go to the emergency room for anything they will meet you there. For example, my infant son had a rash after we got back from travelling and one of the doctors met us at CPMC, escorted us to a private area and 20 minutes later we were gone. We bypassed the entire process of checking in, waiting, etc. The doctors are extremely reputable - one is the former Chief of Pediatrics at CPMC and the other is the former Assistant Chief at CPMC - and they have an amazing bedside manner. They really take the time to know my son and won't leave my house without making sure my son smiles at them! I cannot recommend these doctors enough.

I can't say how much we love our pediatricians, Dr's Oded and Steve of Child's Light. We have 2 very young children - 14 months apart and have had many mid-night scares with temperatures through the roof and visits to the ER. I've been met at the ER and taken into a treatment room within minutes of our arrival, the doctor traveled with my son in the ambulance to Children's Hospital, left us at 3AM and was back at the crack of dawn to check on our little guy. It's the best care I have ever received or even heard of - I love having these guys come for well baby visits. Both Dr. Steve and Oded know my kids, they talk to them and spend time with them on visits. I will never, ever go back to doctor office visits again.