A
ccording to information published by the
American Academy of Pediatrics, the pediatric
population has experienced dramatic increase in
the incidence and prevalence of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, autism, asthma, depression,
diabetes, and obesity over the last decade.
"Our goal is to create a unique
team environment that allows
pediatric patients to heal at home
without compromising the quality
of care they receive."
The APA Pediatric Work Force
Group has reported there
are approximately 28,000
pediatric medical and surgical
subspecialists to care for
over 80 million children in the
United States.
A
study conducted by the National
Association of Children's Hospitals
and Related Institutions (NACHRI)
showed national wait times of more
than 10 weeks to see a pediatric
endocrinologist, and nine weeks for a
pediatric neurologist.
M
ontana is one of sixteen states that lack
at least one physician in the thirteen
subspecialties of pediatric medicine.
Healthcare in Billings. St. Vincent Healthcare has the only full-scale pediatric intensive care unit in
Montana and Wyoming, and has the Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic on its main campus. The clinic
houses a pediatric cardiologist, pediatric critical care doctors, pediatric developmental‐behavioral
specialists, perinatologists, neonatologists, a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist and the
state's only pediatric endocrinologist. An additional 20 specialists are available to consult and/or see
patients as needed.
"Long-term plans include becoming a fully accredited children's hospital," Neuhardt notes. "Until that
time, my colleagues and I will continue to network with and assist physicians in outlying communities in
Montana and Wyoming through outreach and telemedicine efforts. And most importantly, we'll work to
406-237-7000 www.svh-mt.org
1233 North 30th Street Billings, MT 59101
advance the vision that every child who needs specialty care receives it."
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