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EXPERT PEDIATRIC CARE Close to Home
A conversation about the growth of pediatric services in Erie. endocrinology, and others. Pediatric rehabilitation services, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy, are available as well.
Dale King, MD Robert Burns, MD
Q: What is CCP and what does it mean to be a primary care medical home?
Parents want the best possible care for their children. Across the Erie region, the growth of pediatric services through UPMC Children’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’ s Community Pediatrics is helping make that possible.
Today, families can access primary care, specialty care, rehabilitation therapies, emergency and inpatient services, after-hours care, and virtual visits locally. Dale King, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist with UPMC Children’ s who practices full time in Erie, and Robert Burns, MD, a pediatrician and medical director, UPMC Children’ s Express Care – Erie, discuss what that growth means for families.
Q: What pediatric services are currently available in Erie through UPMC Children’ s?
Dr. Dale King: We can start with the excellent primary care offered by UPMC Children’ s Community Pediatrics, along with UPMC Children’ s Express Care – Erie, the emergency department at UPMC Hamot, and the pediatric inpatient unit at UPMC Hamot. Families also have access to many pediatric specialties locally, including gastroenterology, cardiology, pulmonology, allergy, immunology, genetics, neurosurgery, surgery, neurology,
Dr. Robert Burns: CCP looks at the patient as a whole. In primary care, we see children for both well and sick visits, track immunizations and well checks, and recognize patterns. For example, if a child has had several ear infections, we can help get an ear, nose, and throat referral in place before the issue becomes bigger.
Q: How has pediatric care in Erie evolved in recent years, and what does that growth mean for local families?
Dr. Robert Burns: Pediatric care has improved in Erie, especially through the integration with UPMC Children’ s. We now have two newly remodeled CCP general pediatric office sites, after-hours Express Care, and expanding specialty services. That growth has brought more care to Erie and benefited the community.
Dr. Dale King: I’ ve been practicing gastroenterology in Erie for about 15 years, and I’ ve watched the number of pediatric specialties grow dramatically. The growth has really accelerated in the last five to 10 years.