The new Children ’ s Hospital Scott & White welcomes new physicians , leaders , and specialty care programs to augment existing pediatric medical and surgical expertise . More than 40 pediatric medical and surgical specialties and support programs are delivering the best possible pediatric care , with more programs to follow . Some of these are featured below .
Pediatric Emergency Department The state-of-the-art 14-bed Pediatric Emergency Department cares for patients with acute illnesses and injuries , making the Children ’ s Hospital the only acute care pediatric hospital between Dallas and Austin . “ It ’ s really an amazing thing to have a dedicated pediatrics-specific emergency room in a community this size ,” says Dominic Lucia , MD , medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at the Children ’ s Hospital . Dr . Lucia completed an emergency medicine residency at Scott & White , and returned this past September after completing a fellowship program in pediatric emergency medicine at Georgia Health Sciences University .
Dr . Lucia says the Central Texas community will benefit greatly from a pediatric emergency room . “ We specialize in evaluating and treating children . Everyone here has an interest in treating acute childhood illnesses and traumatic injuries . We have the facilities , the equipment , and staff who are skilled in treating children and helping families understand what ’ s going on . We focus on shared decision making with parents . At Scott & White , we strive to put our patients first .” If necessary , a deep bench of pediatric specialists at the Children ’ s
Hospital is available for patients who need to be referred .
Physicians , nurses , and support staff have a shared goal here : ensuring patients ’ well-being and making the experience as positive and comfortable as possible . “ Nobody wants to come to the Emergency Department , but we can tailor it to children and their families , to make it less scary ,” says Dr . Lucia .
Pediatric Cardiology Pediatric cardiologists treat children with congenital conditions ( those present at birth ) and acquired heart disease caused
Dr . John Pliska , chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology , looks forward to adding more cardiologists to the Children ' s Hospital staff . by high blood pressure , childhood obesity , familial condition , or infection . John Pliska , MD , chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology , and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine , says , “ We have a high level of expertise , so we can comprehensively evaluate and treat children with possible or known heart abnormalities and disease .” He and Judith Lazol , MD , are already on board now to diagnose and treat patients , and Dr . Pliska is recruiting two more pediatric cardiologists to join the Children ’ s Hospital by next summer . “ Our
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