Howard County Pediatrics

Reviews

• JD

  Jocelyn Dulany

  Feb 18, 2026
  1.0
  I selected Howard County Pediatrics as my son‘s pediatrician before he was born. He is now three months old and we’ve encountered several alarming red flags, as follows. At my son‘s earliest appointment, a PKU test was administered in which his blood was sampled and then sent off. (This is a state-mandated test and should be handled in the first few days of a child’s life because the disease manifests quickly.) Over a month later, we go in for a routine check-up and are told the PKU test needs to re-done because it was mishandled. It struck me as curious that I hadn’t received a phone call about this. So ok, my son’s foot is pricked again. Two and a half weeks later I get a call that again, his blood was mishandled. My husband, furious, calls the office to review the course of events. He is told that the first blood sample was no good because the nurse who collected it was inexperienced and made a mistake, and the second blood sample was no good because it was “damaged in transit”. The following day I get a call from the office to reschedule the test for the *third* time, and upon reviewing the course of events I’m told a different story: that in fact the first blood sample was “delayed in transit”. So not only have two blood samples been mishandled, at least one person lied to us about the reason. I am horrified that human blood samples are being mishandled in this capacity and I’m disturbed that my son is now three months old and without the result for a very serious test. Beyond this, we are uncomfortable that we are seen by a different physician every visit. We are further put off that the office was unable to administer his vaccine schedule — they referred me to the Howard County Department of Health to get his routine vaccinations. We are actively in search of a new practice. These sort of mistakes are unacceptable. As an aside, Dr. Banks was extremely generous in her efforts to help with our son’s sleep schedule, so we thank her for that.
• SR

  S RW

  Jan 13, 2026
  1.0
  If I could give this practice a negative 10 stars, I would. The practice is negligent with following up for well visits of their patients and then have the audacity to question the parents for lack of follow up when it's a physician's responsibility to check in to schedule with their patients for what check ups are needed. The front desk staff is disrespectful and unprofessional. They clearly are not trained on how to handle high volume traffic and provide service below what you'd expect at a Fast food restaurant...Mind you, this is a medical office looking out for our children. Many times, we have called to make appointments to be left on hold for an extended period of time, hung up on, and then receive a negative experience when you do reach their staff for assistance. You aren't able to speak to a live doctor and initially were advised to place your concerns in a patient portal to be handled as if your child is a number that they will get to when they feel like it. This since has changed and their staff is trained to only provide consultation to patients when they are in the office which gives them the ability to charge for another visit. The disrespect towards parents and lack of professionalism this practice gives is unfortunate.  It's evident that they are truly only out for money vs. the well being of their patients...Churning their wallets with numerous tests and follow up visit requests before they can treat your child (even after they already saw your child for a sickness they treated) For example - one of our children has difficulty breathing and rely on abuterol treatment. They receive their medicine via a nebulizer and also has an inhaler that they use when needed. This practice will REFUSE to refill a prescription for an ongoing condition UNLESS they see your child to charge for another visit...and you guessed it...Pad their pockets . Medical freedom isn't respected for parents that may have differing views on what treatments or what care alternatives may be available for their children. While our family has been working through what's best care for our kids - All of children have been attending this practice with one of them not up to date with their immunizations, Our youngest has sensitivities to needles and we've been maneuvering what options we have for them. When we shared that we will be delaying their vaccinations until we're ready to administer them - the doctor's demeanor towards our family changed. They failed to be consultative to our concerns or youngest's unique care needed and gave the ultimatum to exile them from the practice within 30 days unless we have their vaccinations up tp date as soon as possible. Initially they said have them up to date by the age of 5...Then they said it'll have to be ASAP. They were okay with retaining our other children as patients due to their vaccination status being up to date. In an everchanging and evolving world with medical care alternatives and solutions available to keep all patients safe such as wearing masks to mitigate exposure to sicknesses or attending the sick section of the office, there are lack of options to tailor care to unique children that may need extra support. I will never recommend this practice to any new parent that may be looking for their child's first doctor. Not only are they not looking out for your children, they are only looking out for themselves and wallets. Unreal.
• YB

  Yookyeong Baek

  Dec 11, 2025
  1.0
  Called to schedule a well child visit for my 4 month old son who just immigrated from Korea. The receptionist straight up said they wouldn’t accept him without previous hospital records even though I told them we have immunization record and had only one vaccination visit prior to this. I guess they pick and choose their young vulnerable patients. Thank you for a great patient care.
• LP

  Lindsay Pulgar

  Dec 5, 2025
  5.0
  We can't say enough wonderful things about Howard County Pediatrics. When we selected them before our son's birth, they were incredibly helpful. We have been seeing Dr. Mailander for about 2 years now. I appreciate and trust their guidance and expertise and always feel my son is in great hands - wellness or sick appointments, HCP exceeds our expectations.
• KP

  Kristen P

  Oct 15, 2025
  5.0
  Wonderful practice and doctor. Dr. McKay is amazing! He's always so kind, knowledgable and thorough.I never feel rushed and he is always so patient with my many questions. He also always has great feedback and strategies to address common issues we parents face ie. potty training and picky eating. I feel strongly that my son's health and care is in great hands. Thank you Dr and hoco peds!