Pediatrics

161 Riverside Drive, Suite 206
Binghamton, NY 13905

(607) 798-6176

Hours of Operation:
Mon- Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday appointments are available from 8:30am to Noon.
24-hour telephone coverage. Appointments are required.
Evenings/Weekends:
An on-call physician may be reached by calling the office telephone number. The answering service will assist you.

This group practice has been established to meet the health needs of your child. We treat your child not only when he/she is ill, but we will also assist him/her in maintaining the best possible state of health. Our emphasis for your child is on health promotion and preventive care. Information about financial assistance is available by calling (607) 798-5506 or 798-5229.

Our services include:

Same day sick call
Well and sick child care
Immunizations
Lead screenings
Asthma treatments

Appointments

To make an appointment with us, please call during the office hours listed above. If you need a question answered over the telephone, we will be happy to record the information and have a nurse or physician return your call.

If our office is closed, please call and leave a message with our answering service. The physician on call that evening or weekend will return your call. Please remain where you are or inform the answering service as to where you can be reached. The doctor will contact you as soon as possible. If you have a routine request, or a prescription refill, please call during weekday office hours.

Missed Appointments

Your appointment is important. If you cannot meet your appointment please call our office number above to reschedule. A rescheduling of 3 missed appointments may result in a discharge from services.

Here are a few things to have before calling the office:

Age and approximate weight of child
Always take your child's temperature before calling, saying he or she "feels warm" is not enough
A list of symptoms
Names and dosages of any medications taken
A list of any allergies to medications
Name and telephone number of your pharmacy
Please inform our staff if you are a member of a local HMO or managed care plan

If It Is An Emergency

We will refer you to a local emergency room or walk-in center for an evaluation. Please identify yourself as a patient with the Lourdes Pediatric Group. This helps to ensure our ability to maintain close contact with the emergency department staff.

What To Bring To Your First Office Visit

We begin a permanent file on your child during your first office visit. Please bring records of your child's immunizations if you have them. We will also ask your permission to transfer any previous doctor records to our own files. Our office personnel will help you fill out the appropriate transfer forms.

Gathering this information together for a permanent record will assist us in determining the best health care for your child. The detailed medical history we keep will prove valuable throughout your child's youth and adult life.

Specialist Referrals

As pediatric practitioners, we are trained to deal with the majority of your child's medical problems. In the event a specialist consultation is needed, we will be more than happy to arrange a consultation, forward all pertinent information and act as your representative. Part of the consulting specialist's responsibility is to inform the physician, that is, Lourdes Pediatric Group, of their recommendations to you. In this way, we have direct knowledge of those recommendations and how we can aid in your child's care.

Prescription Refills

What About Phone Prescriptions?

Asking your provider to make a diagnosis over the phone and prescribe appropriately is usually not in your best interest. There are, of course, exceptions but this is the general guideline we like to follow:

Please plan ahead. Try not to run out of medications at night or on the weekend. If you need refills for certain medications, please ask your provider during a scheduled office visit.
If you need to obtain a refill by phone, please give us at least 24 hours to take care of it.
Medications are limited for good reasons. Patients taking medications regularly must be periodically reexamined in order for prescriptions to be filled.
You can also request a prescription renewal online. Requests are handled on a Mon-Fri 8am-5pm time frame.

What if Hospitalization is Required?

Our doctors admit their patients to Lourdes Hospital. If for some reason you prefer that your child be admitted elsewhere, discuss this with your doctor and arrangements will be made. If hospitalization is necessary, the decision will be mutually made between the physician and the family as to which facility to use. Be sure to contact your insurance plan, especially if you belong to an HMO.

Patient Satisfaction

As a medical group, we cannot overemphasize the importance of close communication between patient and physician. Please report to us any complaint you might have about our services or failure to meet your needs. We will do our best to correct the situation. We are here to serve you with the best medical care possible. Please let us help you!

Meet Our Providers

Renato A. Abueg, MD Dr. Abueg graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, college of Medicine in the Philippines. He did his internship and residency in Pediatrics at The Brooklyn Hospital Center affiliated with New York University, New York. He did one year of Fellowship in Pediatric Ambulatory Care at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York City.
Michael L. Kirsch, MD, PhD Dr. Kirsch graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, where he did his internship and residency in Pediatrics. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from University of Illinois. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Board Certified Pediatrician.
Mukesh Rao, MD Dr. Rao graduated from Kasturba Medical School, affiliated with the University of Mysore, India. He did his Pediatric Residency at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He joined Lourdes Hospital in 1993 to form Lourdes Pediatrics. Dr. Rao is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Director of Pediatrics at Lourdes, and Clinical Assistant Professor with SUNY Clinical Campus. His special interests include: Neonatology, Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Rao is a Board Certified Pediatrician.
Sha Zhu, MD Dr. Zhu graduated from Suzhou Medical College in China. She did her residency at Harlem Hospital Center in New York City. She is a Board Certified Pediatrician.

Renato A. Abueg, MD
Dr. Abueg graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, college of Medicine in the Philippines. He did his internship and residency in Pediatrics at The Brooklyn Hospital Center affiliated with New York University, New York. He did one year of Fellowship in Pediatric Ambulatory Care at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York City.

Michael L. Kirsch, MD, PhD
Dr. Kirsch graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, where he did his internship and residency in Pediatrics. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from University of Illinois. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Board Certified Pediatrician.

Mukesh Rao, MD
Dr. Rao graduated from Kasturba Medical School, affiliated with the University of Mysore, India. He did his Pediatric Residency at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He joined Lourdes Hospital in 1993 to form Lourdes Pediatrics. Dr. Rao is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Director of Pediatrics at Lourdes, and Clinical Assistant Professor with SUNY Clinical Campus. His special interests include: Neonatology, Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Rao is a Board Certified Pediatrician.

Sha Zhu, MD
Dr. Zhu graduated from Suzhou Medical College in China. She did her residency at Harlem Hospital Center in New York City. She is a Board Certified Pediatrician.