Emily R. Dodwell, MD, MPH, FRCSC

Patient intake forms will be sent to New Patients as well as for Established patients that have not been seen here recently. Depending on the reason for the visit, there may also be some additional questionnaires to fill out that inquire on pain, mobility and how the injury or condition impacts your/your child’s life. The intake form and questionnaires provide us with an overview of you/your child’s past and current health, function and quality of life. These forms are now sent electronically prior to the visit. Ideally they should be filled out prior to the visit to avoid delays.

• Please ensure a parent or legal guardian is present at the first visit.

• During COVID-19 pandemic only one adult may accompany the child to their visit. The hospital is limiting guests to the hospital for your and our safety. If other adults need to be present, they’re welcome to join by VideoChat/Facetime/phone or similar.

• Please remember to bring your insurance card and photo ID.

• If your child has had X-rays or other images taken at another facility, please bring the disk to the visit, and hand to the nurse prior to seeing Dr. Dodwell. The images are required in DICOM format in order for us to upload them to our system. If your images are in another format such as JPEG, they will likely not be of high enough quality to be diagnostic, but we’re happy to take a look. Small image files can be sent to drdodwellsoffice@hss.edu.

• Alternatively, if you have a disk drive on your computer, we can also give you instructions on how to upload the images from home prior to your visit.

• The imaging report is also helpful, although Dr. Dodwell still needs to see the images.

• Depending on the type of imaging and how old the images are, they may help Dr. Dodwell better assess your child, and we may not have to repeat imaging on the day of the appointment.

• If X-rays/imaging were done at NYPH/Cornell Dr. Dodwell may be able to log in to that system to view the images, please confirm with the office before assuming this is the case.

• In the event that your child needs new X-rays, please ensure a non-pregnant adult is present at the visit. You can go right into the X-ray room with your child, and you will be given a protective gown. Your presence during the X-ray will be calming for your child, and you can help them sit or lay still so we can get a good picture. In younger children, sometimes we may need your help to hold your child in position during the X-ray. Many children don’t like to be held by strangers, so having a familiar adult present is incredibly helpful!

• Initial visits with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon can take a long time depending on the complexity of the problem and whether tests such as X-rays are required, or whether casting or another procedure must be completed. Please plan on your first visit taking up to 1-2 hours, just in case. Please remember snacks, books or other entertainment (but we have tablets in the exam rooms for your use and some snack options too).

• If you are seeing Dr. Dodwell for a complex problem, or a second opinion, please obtain a copy of the medical records, including previous imaging reports, bloodwork, consultations and operative reports, from wherever your child has previously received care. Please hand these to the nurse prior to seeing Dr. Dodwell.

• Please ensure we have your pediatrician’s contact details, including fax number. This helps us provide information back to your pediatrician in a timely manner.

• Please provide us with your preferred phone number, alternate phone numbers, and an email address or fax number, so we can easily get in touch and send you documents (eg physical therapy prescriptions) when necessary.

• Appointment confirmation: You will get an automated text/call reminding you of your upcoming appointment.

• If you are unable to make your appointment and you must cancel, please give us as much notice as possible.

We look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the office at 212.606.1451 or drdodwellsoffice@hss.edu

Which days are available for a consultation/office visit?
Dr. Dodwell is currently at the Main HSS Hospital seeing patients Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and operates Thursdays/Fridays, although the schedule does change from week to week. Twice per month, Dr. Dodwell sees patients at the Brooklyn office at Industry City.

My child needs surgery, which days are available?
Dr. Dodwell typically operates on Thursdays/Fridays, although the schedule does change from week to week. For emergency surgeries, exceptions are made and surgery may occur on any day of the week.

Can I send my child to an appointment with a grandparent or other adult?
A parent/guardian must attend the first appointment. Dr. Dodwell may need to ask a lot of questions on the child’s medical history or make a treatment decision, so this first visit is easier if one of the parents/guardians is present. If you want to send your child with another caregiver for follow up visits, this can be arranged. You will need to send a signed letter to the office, giving permission for the child to be seen with the caregiver. This can be faxed to 212.774.7065 or emailed to drdodwellsoffice@hss.edu. If you are unable to be present at your child’s visit, please be available for us to call/FaceTime you during the visit.

I’m pregnant, what happens if my child needs X-Rays?
In the event that your child needs new X-rays, please ensure a non-pregnant adult is present at the visit. You can go right into the X-ray room with your child, and you will be given a protective gown. Your presence during the X-ray will be calming for your child, and you can help them sit or lay still so we can get a good picture. In younger children, sometimes we may need your help to hold your child in position during the X-ray. Many children don’t like to be held by strangers, so having a familiar adult present is incredibly helpful!

My child has a new orthopedic injury, but it is outside of regular office hours. I don’t think this can wait until the office opens. Where should I go?
In emergency situations calling 911/taking your child to your nearest emergency room may be the best option. At NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Cornell, at 68th St and York Avenue, there is always a pediatric orthopedic surgeon on call, either Dr. Dodwell or one of her colleagues. Our colleagues at the HSS Urgent Care may also be able to help you after hours, depending on the problem and the age of your child.  

I have a question for Dr. Dodwell but it is outside of office hours. I don’t think it can wait. Is it possible to speak with the doctor?
There is always a pediatric surgeon on call at HSS and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, either Dr. Dodwell or one of her colleagues. Call the office 212.606.1451. After hours follow the prompts and you will reach the answering service. Tell the answering service that you need to speak to the doctor, and the doctor will be paged to return your call.

My child had X-rays/CT/MRI/Ultrasound done at another office/hospital, does Dr. Dodwell need to see them?
Depending on the type of imaging and how old the images are, they may help Dr. Dodwell better assess your child, so Dr. Dodwell would like to see your previous imaging. You can upload the images from home or hand in the disk when you arrive. We may or may not need to repeat imaging, depending on what types of images were previously obtained and how old they are.

Can my child’s images from an outside facility be kept on the HSS system for future reference?

If your images are in DICOM format, provided on a disk, we are typically able to upload them to our system so they will remain part of your HSS medical record.

We’re seeing Dr. Dodwell for a second opinion; do we need to bring anything?
The more information you can provide to Dr. Dodwell the better. If there is a complex timeline, consider writing it down in advance. Please bring copies of previous bloodwork, operative reports, consultations, imaging reports as well as images on disk (or upload prior to the visit).

My child needs surgery, does we  need to see our pediatrician for clearance before surgery?
For healthy children, without serious medical conditions, having ambulatory surgery (same day surgery), pre-operative visits with your pediatrician are typically not required. We do however, need your child’s vaccination record.

If your child requires an overnight stay after surgery, or has a medical condition, they will have a pre-operative visit with one of the HSS pediatricians. These pediatricians are the doctors that will look after any medical issues while your child is admitted. Our medical doctors to get to know your child and their health conditions before they are on the ward. Our medical doctors work closely with the anesthesiologists and will be able to identify any issues that your child has that may require further evaluation or treatment prior to your child getting an anesthetic.

During COVID, our patients must be COVID tested at HSS a few days prior to surgery. For patients staying over-night, the adult staying with them will also be COVID tested at HSS a few days prior to surgery.

My child requires emergency orthopedic surgery but is admitted to another facility, and I would like them to be treated at HSS, can I request a transfer?

Please call 212.606.1451, the office number, to speak to Dr. Dodwell or the surgeon on call about the possibility of transferring. We have a transfer center at HSS and at NYP/Cornell that can help to facilitate approved transfers.

I have questions about my bill, who can I talk to?

Please call 212.606.1451 and we’ll be able to direct you to the appropriate billing department, which may be physician billing, hospital billing (for casting, imaging, physical therapy, bloodwork, surgery) or Eschen/Biodynamics/Gothan/Park Avenue (for orthotics/prosthetics).

We want a waterproof cast, do you have these?

We do have waterproof casting material, but depending on the season, the type of cast, and your skin sensitivity, it is not always a good option. Dr. Dodwell will assess your needs during the visit, and waterproof casting may be possible.

I think my child needs an MRI, can Dr. Dodwell order this in advance of the visit?

Dr. Dodwell will need to fully evaluate your child to determine what testing is best. If required, MRI can be done here at HSS and pending insurance authorization can typically be obtained within a few days.  

I would like to schedule a visit online, how do I do this?
You may schedule an appointment online by scrolling to the top of this page and clicking the Book an Appointment Online Now button. If you are on a mobile device, the next available dates are visible at the bottom of your screen.

I want to leave the office a message, but it is not urgent. Is there some way I can email the office?
You can email the office at drdodwellsoffice@hss.edu, however if you need to speak with someone urgently or require a response within 24-48 hours, it is best to call the office at 212.606.1454.

I have a question for Dr. Dodwell but it is not urgent, how can I get in touch?

For non-urgent questions, the best method is to sign to MyHSS and send a message directly to Dr. Dodwell. For urgent questions or concerns please call the office at 212.606.1451.