Services

Visiting your doctor on a regular basis is key to a healthy life. Whether you're feeling the effects of the common cold or just coming in for a checkup, we want to make sure you have all the facts you need to make an educated decision.

Our practitioners provide comprehensive primary and preventative care for patients of all ages. They will diagnose and treat in the office, and refer to appropriate specialists when necessary.

Primary care

  • Medication management
  • Weight management
  • Chronic condition maintenance
    • diabetes
    • hypertension
    • cardiac conditions
    • renal disease
  • Illness
    • cold & cough, fever
    • flu
    • upper respiratory conditions
    • diarrhea, nausea, GI issues
    • migraine headaches
    • urinary tract infection
  • Joint injections
  • Antibiotic injections
  • Hearing & vision screening
  • Onsite services (ie: electrocardiograms)
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • Minor wound repairs
  • Lab draws
  • Simple dermatological issues

Preventive Care

  • Annual physicals
  • Vaccinations
  • Age appropriate cancer screening
  • Annual Medicare visits
  • CDLs
  • Travel/work physicals

NJ's Favorite Kids Doc

Choosing the right pediatrician for your children is a big decision. Dr. Merkle is a Board Certified Pediatrician. He and his team are available when you need them, offering evening and weekends hours. Staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and give you the attention and care you deserve. Appointments are thorough, and parents, babies, and children are heard and respected.

  • Newborn care
  • Lactation support (new!)
  • Well child visits
  • Sick child visits
  • School/sports/camp physicals
  • Allergy evaluation & treatment
  • ADHD evaluation
  • Medication management
  • Asthma treatment

Allergy Testing

Our medical team uses allergy skin testing to accurately diagnose the source of your seasonal or year-round symptoms. Correct diagnosis through testing that identifies specific antigens causing your symptoms is an important first step to providing you with the best treatment options.

The skin test is performed using the same process used in an allergist's office: placement of multiple antigens on the arms or back, using a MAST, or multi-antigen skin test device. This test is extremely accurate, and results are obtained within 15 minutes.

The cost of the test varies by health plan. However, most plans cover these diagnostic procedures in-network. We will verify with your insurance carrier all benefit information before testing. Please note that insurance deductibles and co-payments may apply.

Treatment Options

Immunotherapy is the only disease-modifying allergy treatment that safely, over time, induces the body's immune cells to decrease or even prevent symptoms.


Other treatment options are also available. Dr. Merkle will work with you to find your optimal course of treatment.

Dr. Merkle has enhanced his pediatric practice by joining with Mahala Lactation & Perinatal Services, a well known and established group of lactation consultants (IBCLCs) in the area. Now, lactation support is available and covered under our accepted insurance plans.

lactation staff

What is an IBCLC?

IBCLCs have the highest level of credential available for healthcare professionals who specialize in breastfeeding. They are required to stay up to date on the latest evidence-based practices in lactation and to demonstrate their skills through a rigorous exam process. IBCLCs abide by a common Standard of Practice, and they work within a Scope of Practice.

In the state of New Jersey, 81% of moms start out intending to breastfeed their babies. By three months, less than half are still breastfeeding. We can help you reach your breastfeeding goals, whatever they are.

Breastfeeding help is now available and affordable!


An IBCLC can help if:

  • You have questions about breastfeeding
  • You are experiencing breast/nipple pain or trauma
  • Your baby is not gaining weight or gaining weight slowly
  • Your baby's diaper output is insufficient
  • Your baby is jaundiced
  • Baby falls asleep quickly at breast or sleeps through feedings
  • Baby is crying, "colicky", seems to be hungry all the time or never satisfied after feeding
  • You need help or have questions about bottle feeding or supplementing
  • You did not experience breast changes with pregnancy or after delivery
  • You have a history of nipple or breast surgery (augmentation, reduction, biopsy, piercing, etc)
  • You have a history of hormonal or anatomical challenges (thyroid issues, flat or inverted nipples, insufficient glandular tissue)
  • You have noticeably asymmetrical breasts
  • You've had a difficult previous breastfeeding experience
  • You are having latching or positioning difficulty
  • You have a premature baby
  • You gave birth to multiple babies
  • You are adopting a baby (yes, you CAN breastfeed!)
  • Your baby has special needs
  • You are experiencing breast engorgement
  • You have not noticed your milk "coming in" by day five
  • You're returning to work or school and have concerns

Offering even more convenience for our patients, we now have blood draws available at our office, Monday through Friday, with walk-in appointments available from 7 A.M. - 2 P.M.

quest diagnostics logo labcorp logo

Good nutrition is a cornerstone of a long and healthy life. Poor diet is one of the leading contributors to premature death in the United States, as it increases the risk factor for illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and several cancers.

Whether you're looking to lose weight, manage a chronic health condition, or simply improve your current diet, Mary can help you by providing the highest level of nutrition counseling and a personally tailored plan to fit your individual needs.

Mary Kobran, RD

Mary Kobran, RDN is a registered dietitian/nutritionist with a passion for health, wellness, and helping others achieve their goals--no matter how big or small. She truly loves working with people to help them form healthy relationships with food and fitness.



What we offer

Pediatric Nutrition (infant-adolescent)

  • Nutrition assessments
  • Feeding difficulties ("picky" eaters, sensory issues, physical difficulties)
  • Healthy eating and food behaviors including eating disorders
  • Sports Nutrition and Hydration
  • Nutrition care and counseling for health conditions:
    • Anemia
    • Asthma/Allergies
    • Gastrointestinal issues: (celiac, constipation, IBD, reflux, IBS,short bowel syndrome, urea cycle disorders)
    • Weight management

Adult Nutrition

  • Nutrition assessment
  • Healthy eating with lifestyle modifications
  • Nutrition for pregnancy & breastfeeding
  • Vegetarian nutrition
  • Intervention with nutrition care for health conditions, including but not limited to:
    • Anemia
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Diabetes
    • Dysphagia
    • Food Allergies
    • GI Issues-Celiac, IBD, Crohn's/Colitis, Bowel resection

Older Adult Nutrition (age 65+)

  • Nutrition screening & assessment
  • Intervention with nutrition care for health conditions, including but not limited to:
    • Alzheimer's disease
    • Oral health & chewing difficulty
    • Osteoporosis
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia)
    • Unintended weight loss

Sports Nutrition 

  • Intervention with nutrition care and counseling for the athlete from childhood through adolescence, collegiate level to adulthood, & aging athlete
  • Information regarding our energy systems and how to optimize them for exercise
  • Energy and metabolism for strength & power, and endurance
  • Team sport specifics
  • Nutrition related fatigue in sports
  • Hydration fueling strategies
  • Iron deficiency in athletes
  • Weight gain or loss in athletes
  • Rehabilitation from injury or surgery
  • Nutrition for the healing brain after concussion

...and so much more! Call or ask at the front desk for info.


Emergency Treatment

If you have a life-threatening or severe injury, call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-2:30 pm

Sunday:

Closed