Pediatrics

Providing expert care from infancy to adolescence.

Pediatricians and staff at SSM Health are committed to helping our youngest patients grow into healthy, thriving adults. We provide personalized, compassionate care for patients from birth through adolescence, including routine well child exams and treatment for childhood illnesses. We understand the unique needs of our patients and their families and will communicate with you regularly, so you can be confident your child is getting the best care possible.

What are the types of pediatric appointments?

There are three traditional types of pediatric appointments:

Well child visits:

Routine well child care exams play a vital role in keeping your child healthy through the years. These exams provide an opportunity for your pediatrician to:

• Examine your child’s growth and development
• Discuss age-specific health, behavior and safety issues
• Provide routine immunizations, vision screening and lab work
• Address any questions you may have regarding your child’s health and development

Sick visits:

If your child is ill or you have any other concerns, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician’s office. Our staff is well-equipped to address most of your questions or concerns or can set up a same day appointment, if necessary.

Extended visits:

If you have ongoing concerns about your child’s physical, emotional or social development, schedule an appointment for an extended visit with your pediatrician. During the appointment, you and your child’s pediatrician can discuss your concerns and determine the best way to proceed, including referrals to other specialists, if necessary.

Do you offer sports physicals for school?

SSM Health provides sports physicals for children of all ages taking part in school sports. While specific requirements vary by schools, camps or sports associations, sports physicals ensure your child is healthy and physically prepared to perform.

Be sure to bring any documentation your school or program requires. This includes any physical forms, immunization records/vaccine cards, waivers, etc.

How to choose a pediatrician for your child?

Do your research on doctors.

Try to collect at least three names of physicians from friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers, you can also use the SSM Health provider finder to find pediatrician near you.

You might want to consider someone who is easily accessible and to whom you are comfortable talking about your child's health. Other important information you might want to consider includes office procedures, office location (if it is near your home and work), and the physician’s background. Many pediatricians offer a free “Meet the doctor” visit to give you the opportunity to meet and ask questions before making your choice.

Be prepared to ask questions.

It can be helpful to have a list of questions to ask as you consider potential pediatricians. These could include:

• What time does the office open and close?
• Whom do I contact if I have an emergency?
• How does the office handle billing?
• Is the staff friendly?
• What hospital(s) is the doctor affiliated?
• Will my child be seeing the same doctor each visit?
• Ask about the pediatrician's training and experience.
• What happens if my child gets sick in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
• How long does it take to get an appointment?
• Is this pediatrician listed as a provider on your insurance plan?

When should I find a pediatrician for my baby?

Whether this is your first baby or you’re an experienced parent, it’s important to try and find a pediatrician while you are still pregnant. The benefits of choosing a physician early include:

• Your baby’s first exam will likely take place immediately after birth, so you may want to choose a physician who practices at the same facility.
• It’s not uncommon to see your pediatrician more in the first year of your baby’s life.
• Your pediatrician is an expert on general child health and will be a valuable resource.
• Early appointments are crucial to evaluate your newborn’s health.

The best time to start looking for a pediatrician is between 28 and 34 weeks into your pregnancy, when you likely know what you want and have at least a few weeks to do your homework and find the best pediatiran for you and your growing family.