Dr. Joseph Alfred Cannizzaro, MD

I don't even know where to begin...I'm so disappointed in my experience at Cannizzaro Integrative Pediatric Center. I paid almost $1000 (plus a $100 a month fee just to go to this place) to have lab work/blood work done on my child who has moderate eczema. I was told that these tests would help us determine what nutrients my child is lacking. So, I gladly came up with the money because I'm desperate for answers. My son's blood samples were sent to 3 different places...Spectra Cell Labs (for a micronutrient test), Florida Hospital Labs (to mainly check his iron and vitamin D levels but other things were included as well), and Dunwoody Labs (to test for food allergies and sensitivities). When the lab work came back, the ARNP explained to me that the Spectra Cell results showed that my son was deficient in calcium. I was told that my son would need to start taking a supplemental calcium shake which they CONVENIENTLY sold right there in the office. I noticed at the bottom of the lab… work it said that the reference ranges were only valid for males and females 12 and up. My son is only 1. The ARNP had no answer for that but said she would look into it which I thought was strange because shouldn't she know that already? I have to mention that I never did get that question answered. But I digress. When I got home, I got on the computer and saw that the Florida Hospital lab results had come back. I printed them and when I looked at the results, I saw that my son's calcium had been measured on this lab work as well. This lab work said that his calcium was 10.8 mg/dl which of course I googled immediately. I read that it was slightly high for a 1 year old. Hmm...strange because I had been told that his calcium was so low that I needed to supplement. I couldn't read the Spectra Cell results because they were all in percentages that didn't make any sense to me. Luckily we have a family friend who is a pediatric cancer surgeon so I asked him to take a look. He took one look at the lab work and said, "What is this?" I explained what I had been told and he started shaking his head and said, "I can't read this and no other doctor on the planet could read this either. These percentages mean nothing." Then he said, "You know what I would do with these? Throw them in the trash." I was horrified. Then he took a look at the Florida Hospital lab work. He said, "Ok, now these labs make sense. They are measured in terms that can actually be read by any doctor." I asked him to specifically look at my son's calcium level because that was the one I was told was low. He said, "Your son's calcium is perfectly fine. In fact, it's slightly high. As a physician, I would not suggest supplementing with calcium based on this lab work." I was dumbfounded. I emailed the ARNP and asked for an explanation. She didn't answer my question but responded that the office manager would be in touch with me. I thought that was strange. Why would I want to speak to the office manager when I was asking a clinical question? Well, the office manager finally called me today and I was told that Cannizzaro Integrative Pediatric Center no longer wanted to treat my son and that I would be getting a certified letter in the mail terminating the doctor/patient relationship. I was stunned. I couldn't believe that my son was kicked out of the practice because I asked a question. A VERY legitimate question. I was told that because I didn't trust them and take their advice, they didn't feel like it was a good fit. So, I didn't blindly take their advice, I did my own research, I questioned them, I got a second opinion, I told them I wasn't happy that I had been given inaccurate information that could be detrimental to my son's health, I told them I felt like I was being taken advantage of, and they didn't like that. They viewed me as "difficult" because I had the audacity to question them. I'm a mother. It is my job, my duty, and my responsibility to protect my children. I will never blindly trust anyone...ESPECIALLY someone who will PROFIT from the information they are giving me. If my son has vitamin deficiencies and they conveniently sell those exact vitamins there at the office, then my red flag goes up. I'm writing this very long and detailed review because I want to save other parents reading this from the same SCAM that I just endured. I am out THOUSANDS of dollars total over the last few months and my son still has eczema. I am no closer to knowing what is causing his eczema than I was when I started. PARENTS, BEWARE OF ANY PEDIATRICIAN'S OFFICE WHO DOESN'T WANT YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS OR QUESTION THEIR AUTHORITY. I still believe in the natural approach but Cannizzaro Integrative Pediatric Center is irresponsible and shady. They will gladly take your money but the minute you question them, they're done with you.

I have been to 7-10 different pediatricians, trying to find the right one for my son. Dr. C goes beyond your expectations. From knowing how to heal things naturally, to not pushing vaccines, and he actually looks and pays attention to your child. He doesn't rush you out of his office and you feel like you've accomplished what you wanted when you leave. I can't say enough good about him!

Dr. Cannazzaro has always taken the time to explain any concerns my husband and I have. His bedside manner with our children is so caring. He believes in the total health of our children from sleep,eating healthy and all the things they need to function is their every day life to the ultimate. Greatful parents to have finally found a wonderful doctor. So many doctors we have encountered don't truly seem to care. They just want numbers, they don't take the time to get to know us and our health concerns of our children

Dr. C is a great doctor, but he is moving completely holistic. If you are looking for that kind of doctor, than he is perfect, but if you want a more balanced doctor, then I would recommend finding someone else (which is what I am going to do. I can't afford to run to Whole Foods and get stuff all of the time. I want to know all of my options. Plus I do not believe in pediatric chiropractor and he firmly believes in that).