Sunrise Pediatric Assoc

We found Sunrise Peds. by chance; we hadn't chosen a pediatrician before our (now 7-month old) daughter was born 3 1/2 weeks early. Then I learned the single-doctor practice recommended to me by a friend wasn't taking new patients. The receptionist at that practice recommended Sunrise because I was looking for a small practice. Dr. Fennell was the doctor who took on our daughter as a patient. My husband and I have been so happy and relieved to have found Sunrise and Dr. Fennell; he is very caring, takes a great deal of time with us, is easy to talk with, and has a lot of expertise and experience. The office is a comfortable environment. They have a lactation room which I've used to comfort nurse my daughter after vaccinations, as well as a lactation consultant on staff. When I've call the advice nurse with a question, I've almost always gotten a call back very quickly, usually within 1/2 hour (the only exception being recently when I called about a normal fever reaction to vaccinations, at a time when the office was probably overwhelmed with swine flu questions.)

Others on this board have noted the personal attention given by Dr. Fennel, and I agree. When my daughter was about 2 months old, I called the advice nurse about something I'd noticed, and received a call back quickly. However, Dr. Fennel reviewed the call notes and called me less than an hour later because he didn't agree with the nurse's assessment - and he was right. It was not a critical or alarming health condition, merely something to keep my eye on, but I was impressed that he was reviewing the advice calls almost as they were occurring, and took the time to call me personally.

I am very happy with this practice and would recommend it to anyone.

Posted 10/26/09 | Report Abuse

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Dr. Murnane is the best doctor i have ever dealt with. She is patient, kind, smart and the kids love her. My aunt is a nurse at Rex hospital for 25 years and she referred me to Dr. Murnane 10 years ago when my son was born. She actually treats my entire family as well as extended family members. I work for a government ran insurance company. Allot of providers wont accept the insurance for the low allowed amount they are paid. But Sunrise Pediatrics doesn't discriminate. When ever my son has a problem or needs a Rx, there is never any problems. They accept everyone with open arms, hearts and big smiles.

Posted 08/25/09 | Report Abuse

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We did the whole interview process and wasn't sure if we were going to find a doctor that we really liked. Then my husband's friend told him about Sunrise! We fell in love the office and Dr. Fennell! The staff is always so nice and Dr. Fennell is the best! He has done some late night calls with us and was so reassuring and great. Everyone there is wonderful! We have a now five year old and a two month old and we wouldn't go anywhere else! In fact, we now live in Wake Forest and I drive back and forth!

Posted 03/16/09 | Report Abuse

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I have been taking my daughter (8) and son (5) to Dr. Murnane since their birth. I really believe she is a wonderful, caring and extremely knowledgeable doctor. I am away from the area temporarily for two years and need to take my children to other doctors- I now I know how amazing she really is! We were never rushed in their office- We always meet with her never just the nursing staff- She really listens and provides outstanding care for my children. Dr. Fennel is wonderful as well- I remember getting a call back in the middle of the night after having him paged and he helped me through one of my sons sicknesses- he calmed me down since I was a bit frightened and talked me through it and gave me excellent information. They are wonderful doctors.

Posted 02/17/09 | Report Abuse

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We had used both Dr. Fennel and Dr. Murnane for several years. Both are very caring and the kids liked them. The office staff is also friendly. However, they do keep you waiting a long time for appts. Sadly, we left because I was concerned that this clinic was being run too cheaply. You can't get stitches or even a immunization record sent to you without paying for the postage in advance. But the most serious offense was they don't seem to carry the needed equipment for older kids, i.e. IV's and they don't do stitches (evidently the thread is too expensive).
When my daughter became very ill, the dr. was hesitant to admit her to the hospital, and instead kept her in the office for several hours while she provided fluids/antibotics with a too small IV. After 2 of these visits (within 24 hours) and with my daughter showing no signs of improvement, we eventually overrode the dr. and went to the emergency room (and yes I was willing to pay the high insurance deductible for emergency room treatment) she was immediately admitted and then spent 3 days in the hospital. It was very scary. And I learned a lesson. A capable and caring doctor is not enough, you need to know what the office can provide. Kids often need stitches and kids often have broken bones. Why visit a clinic that doesn't offer the basic care needed for these incidents?

When your kids become older, ask your dr the question, do you have the eqpt. to care for my child? Also consider what their criteria is for hospitalization -- which is really what is the criteria for admitting you cannot provide the care this child needs in your office. Other ped offices will do stitches and xrays. Even urgent care offices do that, so why can't the doctor's office? It is a question of where they want to put their money.
Again, it was with regret that we left this office. Both doctors were good with the kids, we used them both when they were with Kaiser and joined them when they went into their private practice with Dr. Smith (also very good). So consider your needs for older teenagers and your tolerance for visiting strangers for those other incidents.

Posted 12/09/08 | Report Abuse

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My teen age boys have been patients of Dr Fennell for many years. He never seems rushed with them and takes time to answer their questions. No problems getting appointments, and his partners are great as well.

Posted 11/19/08 | Report Abuse

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I too was recommended to Dr. Fennell by a friend after being very dissatisfied in the care my son received from a very large & well-known pediatrics office.
Dr. Fennell takes time to explain things to you, answer questions, and is very thorough. He cares very much about your child resulting in much more individualized, appropriate and least-invasive treatment measures. He respects that as a parent you want was is best for your child and treats you like an equal in the process, respecting your concerns, etc. His support staff also are great.

Posted 09/17/08 | Report Abuse

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We first were introduced to Dr. Murnane over 11yrs ago we fell in love with her, she is GREAT with children. We were debating on getting a peds office that was closer to us ( we live in Sanford) but then, Dr. Murnane and Dr. Fennel set up thier own practice we had to follow. We have loved going to Dr. Murnane. She goes out over her way to make sure all of her (KIDS) are feeling good. She will call after the week that she has prescribed for them to see how they are feeling. Not many Doc's do that in this day and time. It reminds me of the down home practices. And if you can''t get in to see Dr. Murnane, Dr. Fennel is also a very good doc.The kids love everyone at the office, even they nurse that give them their shots. LOL

With much love for our docs,
The Perkins Family
DJ, Lizzie, Cat and Alex

Posted 09/10/08 | Report Abuse

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Dr. Murnane has been my daughters doctor since her birth seventeen years ago. Dr. Murnane sincerely cares about "her kids" and always goes the extra mile to make sure my daughter's health issues were taken care of. I can recall on one occasion when I called the advice nurse over the weekend and she reviewed the reports on Monday and insisted I bring my daughter in and she in fact did need medical attention. I don't think too many doctor's would take the time to follow up. I have also had several occasions when she would call on a Friday night to check up on my daughter to see if she had improved. We love Dr. Murnane and when our daughter leaves for college she will certainly miss her.

Sincerely,
Kay Mead

Posted 08/12/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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This practice was recommended to me by a friend with three boys who all grew up with Dr. Fennel as their doctor. I am so happy for that recommendation. Everyone has always been incredibly friendly and caring. We ended up with two rare infections in my sons first three months. Both times they diagnosed the problem quickly keeping minor what could have developed into a bad situation. On at least two occasions the doctors called us as a follow up to a visit to check in and make sure the problem was resolved. I was amazed! Really - the only way we could be happier is if they would take adult patients.

Posted 03/23/07 | Report Abuse

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My son saw a doctor at another practice, but this practice helped him out with weekend call. Once we had a sickness on a weekend and Fennel stayed on the phone with me for 45 minutes explaining the situation to me. He also called back later to check on my child. He has such a caring nature that I haven't found anywhere else. Most doctors won't even talk to you on the phone and want to get you out of the office in 1 minute or so. He takes the time and talks to you like you're a person. He also has none of the superiority crap that a lot of ped's have with parents of their patients.

Posted 02/21/07 | Report Abuse

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I went to Dr. Fennel when I was a child when I had a child I knew exactly where to take her. He is always attentive and remembers everything from the last vist

-the office is immaculate with enough reading materials for you and your child

-the staff is friendly and they will do anything to help you out

-It is easy to get a same day appt. and there is never any insurance hassle

So if you are lookng, they are the BEST!

Posted 12/28/06 | Report Abuse

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I have been taking my 2 sons now 12 and 7 yrs old to Dr Fennell for about 5 yrs and i wouldn't go anywhere else in Raleigh , or Cary . we love this place , he is so great with my kids and I'm sure all kids ! He is absolutely the best doctor in the triangle for my children ! I differently recommend this practice to all parents .

PROS: Everything
CONS: Nothing

Posted 10/25/06 | Report Abuse

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I selected this practice while pregnant with my first child, not having any other recommendations from friends or family. I initially chose one of the female doctors in the practice, but when I delivered, Dr. Fennell was the attending physician, so he performed the initial visits. I was hooked by his caring and gentle nature. He is a cautious dr but very thorough. I really trust the health of my child to this doctor and practice. The practice is practically across the street from Rex Hospital, so if you are looking for a great ped - look no further.

Posted 11/21/05 | Report Abuse

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