How to Find a Reliable Doctor for Kids in Philadelphia

A reliable doctor for kids is board-certified in pediatrics (look for the "FAAP" credential, which stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics), trained through an accredited pediatric residency, affiliated with a children's hospital, and part of a practice patients can reach quickly when a child is sick. Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics, in Philadelphia's Center City, has a team of physicians and nurse practitioners meeting these standards.

Two children hugging and smiling in front of a fish tank with colorful plants

The 4-Point Provider Checklist

Before trusting any doctor with your child's care, verify four things. Use this checklist when evaluating any pediatrician.


1. Board Certification (FAAP)

Only pediatricians who have passed board certification exams and maintain current standing can list "FAAP" after their name, signifying Fellow status in the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is widely considered the baseline credential for trustworthy pediatric care. All physicians at Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics are board certified.


2. Accredited Residency Training

A pediatrician's residency, which typically three years after medical school, determines how they were trained to handle everything from newborn jaundice to adolescent mental health. The doctors at Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics completed residencies at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University/duPont Hospital for Children, UCLA, and the Boston Combined Residency Program.


3. Hospital Privileges

A doctor with hospital privileges can follow your child into a higher level of care if needed, rather than losing continuity at the moment it matters most. Every physician at Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics holds privileges at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Pennsylvania Hospital.


4. Accessibility and Patient Experience

Credentials matter, but so does whether you can actually get your child seen. Any pediatric provider should have same-day sick child visits, after hours triage care, and telehealth for certain acute concerns.

Meet the Pediatricians at Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics

Dr. Cynthia Ann Hill, MD

Dr. Cynthia Hill joined Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics in 1990. Earned an honors degree in microbiology from Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College and her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, where she was inducted into AOA, the medical honor society.

Dr. Janet A. Crino, MD

Dr. Janet Crino graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1987 after a bachelor's degree with honors in chemistry from Boston College. She completed her pediatric residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, including a year as Chief Pediatric Resident and joined the practice in 1991.

Dr. Erin McArdle, MD

Dr. Erin McArdle is board-certified pediatrician and Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She earned her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine after a B.S. in Biology from Penn State and completed her residency at Thomas Jefferson University/duPont Hospital for Children.

Dr. Katherine Warther, MD

Dr. Katherine Conn Warther grew up in the Philadelphia area. She studied Spanish Literature at Kenyon College, served a year with AmeriCorps, completed a postbaccalaureate premedical program at NYU, earned her medical degree at the University of Vermont, and completed her Pediatrics Residency at UCLA.

Dr. Isabelle C. Tersio, MD

Dr. Isabelle Tersio earned a B.S. in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania. She received a medical degree from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and joined Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honor Societies. She completed residency at Boston Combined Residency Program, focusing on nutrition and health equity.

Credentials at a Glance

Provider Medical School / Training Residency
Dr. Cynthia Hill Jefferson Medical College -
Dr. Janet Crino Boston University School of Medicine Yale-New Haven Hospital (Chief Resident)
Dr. Erin McArdle Temple University School of Medicine Thomas Jefferson/duPont Hospital for Children
Dr. Katherine Warther University of Vermont UCLA
Dr. Isabelle Tersio Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth Boston Combined Residency Program

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does "FAAP" mean after a pediatrician's name?

    It means the doctor is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, only physicians who have passed board exams and remain current with pediatric medicine can use the designation. 

  • Should I choose a doctor or a practice?

    Both matter. Look for a practice where multiple doctors are cross-covering, so you're never without care if your regular doctor is unavailable. Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics is a multi-physician practice with shared triage coverage. 

  • How do I verify a pediatrician's board certification myself?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org "Find a Pediatrician" tool lists only board-certified AAP Fellows, and can be used to independently confirm credentials for any Philadelphia pediatrician. 

  • How do I schedule with Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics?

    Call 215-545-8188, or email infosocietyhillpeds@advocaredoctors.com for future (non-same-day) appointment requests. Same-day needs should be handled by phone.

Location

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