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Pediatric Care

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At The University of Kansas Health System, our pediatric care team’s main goal is keeping kids and families healthy and happy. When you choose our care team, you are choosing partners in the care for your child from birth to adulthood.

This means being there for the delivery of your baby, caring for them in their first hours and providing care from the neonatal period through infancy. It means establishing primary care for your newborn as they grow, as seasons change, when school begins and life puts new challenges in front of them as they transition into adulthood. And it means providing specialty care when needed and the expertise that only an academic medical center can deliver – healthcare based on proven practices.

In our patient-centered medical home, your child and family are matched with a team of healthcare professionals, led by your pediatrician, who work together for you. This gives you a comprehensive spectrum of care and helps us build strong relationships with patients and their families.

About pediatric care

Our general pediatricians are primary care physicians who incorporate the latest medical breakthroughs to treat children with all types of simple and complex conditions, illnesses and behavioral and developmental conditions. Our board-certified pediatricians, advanced practitioners and entire support team provide a complete range of services from general checkups to streamlined care for serious issues.

Pediatric care programs and services

We provide a complete range of primary care services for children from birth to age 21. Our medical staff includes board-certified pediatricians experienced in providing care for common conditions, serious illnesses and chronic diseases. We partner with Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for several pediatric services to accommodate children with special needs.

We offer services directly accessible within our primary care pediatrics team. Visit us for:

  • 1-on-1 virtual meet-and-greets to establish care
  • Developmental evaluations
  • Immunizations
  • Referrals to the region's leading pediatric subspecialists
  • Routine, well-child exams (birth-21 years)
  • Same-day sick child appointments for established patients
  • School and sports physicals
  • Telehealth video visits
  • Treatment for common illnesses

Some issues that arise during childhood might need special care and monitoring. The University of Kansas Health System offers programs for families and their children to help with many different needs. These programs include:

  • Adolescent medicine, which supports the health of teenagers, including sports care, gynecological consultations, mental and behavioral health needs and more
  • Healthy Hawks, a 12-week, family-based program addressing the weight or other nutrition-related health concerns (like cholesterol) for children ages 2-18
  • Lactation support from general pediatricians and dedicated lactation practitioners
  • Neonatal medical home, a central location to manage all of your medically complex child's healthcare needs
  • Pediatric Pillars Medical Complexity Clinic, which provides advanced care to meet the healthcare needs of medically complex pediatric patients
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Why choose us for pediatric care

  • When you choose The University of Kansas Health System to care for your child, you can trust that we'll provide comprehensive care at every stage of life, and that you'll be getting the best care in Kansas City and the state of Kansas.

    From birth through young adulthood, your kids can continue their specialized care with us in the same familiar setting. It's a way to continue receiving advanced care in the same place – and from the same team – you and your child already know.

  • Our pediatricians are part of The University of Kansas Physicians – the largest multispecialty medical practice in Kansas. Here, you have immediate access to a team of experts, including programs and streamlined specialty referrals to help your little one from birth through adolescence and beyond.

  • Our pediatric practices are designated as Patient-Centered Medical Homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This designation ensures that your child will receive comprehensive, coordinated, high-quality care. What this means for you:

    • You are a partner in your child’s care, involved in every step of their care plan.
    • You have access to a pediatric provider outside of normal business hours.
    • Your child receives complete care for the "whole child" – considering all aspects of health and well-being.
    • Your child receives coordinated care.
    • Your child receives the most advanced tests and treatments available.
    • Your child’s medical records will be accessible electronically, via MyChart.
    NCQA
  • We offer weekend, evening and same-day appointments for your convenience. When you have a question about your child's health, a physician is on call 24/7 to provide you with expert advice when you need it most. MyChart, our patient portal, also provides rapid access to your care team via direct message, as well as the ability to self-schedule your child's visits.

    Our team also offers in-person visits, same-day sick visits and telehealth video visits. Scheduling is easy – online, on the phone or by text. If needed, urgent care, emergency care, hospital care and specialty referral and consultation are available within the health system.

    We are a bilingual office, with members of our staff and care team who are fluent in Spanish. We also provide interpreter services. Prior to your visit we can ensure care is provided in your preferred language.

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Free virtual newborn class

If you are expecting or recently have had a baby, register for our free virtual newborn class. The class covers common questions about the newborn phase and includes a Q&A with a pediatrician. Sessions are offered each month and registration is required.

Register now

Our pediatric subspecialists

When you establish a medical home with our health system, you benefit from subspecialty collaboration, including:

  • Care team collaboration
  • Primary care and specialists in the same building/location
  • Shared medical record
  • Streamlined referrals
  • Unified support services
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Find a doctor

Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System are care providers and researchers at the forefront of new medical discoveries. From primary care to complex conditions, we offer hundreds of specialists.

Find a doctor

Pediatrics FAQ

  • Children need regular visits with pediatricians for checkups, well-child visits, vaccines, and to make sure they are reaching developmental milestones. Pediatricians may also provide support for children when they become sick or need additional care. Routine visits also allow parents to work with pediatricians to improve their child’s quality of life.

  • Parents should establish a pediatrician before birth during the prenatal stage. At The University of Kansas Health System, a pediatrician in the nursery will talk with you about when your newborn should be seen in the clinical setting. This is typically 1-3 days after discharge from the nursery.

    Ultimately, it's never too late to catch up on pediatric care for a child. It may be a good time to revisit care during life events such as back to school, back to sports or during a switch in insurance plans.

  • Pediatricians focus on care for children while a family medicine physician can provide care for patients of all ages.

  • The best medical home for your child and family would ideally include board-certified pediatricians and physicians who provide a wide range of services. It’s also important for some to consider a location near home or work, or a location that offers telehealth appointments.

    Access is also key to choosing a medical home. This includes access to care through online patient portals such as MyChart, access to physical locations with convenient parking and wheelchair accessibility, and access to specialists who provide interpreter and services for the hearing-impaired.

  • Regular checkups usually include measurements and examinations, and your pediatrician will address any questions you may have about your child. Your pediatrician will also make sure that your child is up to date on all their vaccinations. The health system does require children to be up to date on all required immunizations. Read more about vaccination schedules.

    If any follow-up care is needed, your care team will make referrals to subspecialists such as eye doctors, dentists, child psychiatrists and others.

  • We accept KanCare, Kansas Medicaid and most major medical insurance plans.

  • To schedule an appointment, call 913-588-1227 or request an appointment online. You can also schedule an appointment yourself in MyChart. We offer virtual meet-and-greet discussions for parents seeking a pediatrician.

  • Most schools and sports programs will require a sports physical. Prior to the visit, parents or guardians should review their school or sports program's required forms and complete the previsit assessment. This will prepare the physician to better understand your family history, risk factors and more. The most common condition excluding a child from sports participation is high blood pressure.

    For more details on sports physicals and accessible forms, visit KSHSAA.org.

    • New and expecting parents can register for a YoMingo account. This educational resource has information about birth, breastfeeding, newborn care and more. It’s free and available to anyone.
    • Our Behavior Checker® helps provide strategies to help with your child's ever-changing and developing behavior.
    • Sign up for MyChart to request appointments, medication refills and answers from your doctor.
    • For information on how COVID-19 affects children, visit HealthyChildren.org.
    • Child Health Assessment forms are required to attend licensed daycare facilities. Visit the KDHE site for forms and information.
Proud member of: Children's Mercy Health Network

Our partnership with Children's Mercy Health Network

Children's Mercy Health Network is a clinically integrated network of pediatricians who are dedicated to keeping patients healthy. They provide better care and value, which leads to healthier children.

Learn more