Texas Children’s opens first specialty care location in Austin

AUSTIN, TX – (Oct. 25, 2018) – Texas Children’s is excited to announce its first specialty care clinic in Austin is now seeing patients. Located at 8611 North MoPac, suite 300, children in need of pediatric subspecialty care in cardiology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, and allergy and immunology can now schedule appointments at Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin. In addition to ranking as one of the best pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s Hospital ranks as the best place in the country for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, as well as pulmonology, and now Austin families have access to that same elite pediatric care.

“We are honored to bring pediatric-focused specialty care to the Austin community,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, executive vice president of Texas Children’s. “Our goal is to expand the reach of our nationally-renowned experts and deep experience in subspecialty care to increase access for children and families in need of cardiology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, and allergy and immunology services, among other specialty care needs to come.”

Texas Children’s Heart Center® ranks as the best place in the country for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. Building on the more than half a century of experience in caring for children's hearts, Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin provides the highest-quality pediatric cardiology care possible by combining cutting-edge technology with compassion and a family-centered approach to care. This location provides Austin families access to a non-invasive cardiac imaging lab to perform EKGs and echocardiograms for infants and children with congenital or acquired heart disease.

The ophthalmology specialists at this location provide treatment for pediatric eye disorders. One of the most common eye problems Texas Children’s experts identify in children is strabismus – an eye muscle imbalance commonly known as crossed eyes, lazy eyes or wandering eyes – and our physicians can provide care and treatment from childhood through adulthood. The clinic also provides eye exams and eye care for children with a wide range of eye disorders. Exams are geared toward the unique requirements of all children. Approaches are modified, as needed, to keep the kids as comfortable as possible, both physically and emotionally, and to help get information and deliver care accurately.

Texas Children’s pulmonology ranks as the best program in the country for children with lung diseases. With access to an on-site pulmonary diagnostic lab, the expert team at Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin will treat children who face a wide array of breathing problems, including managing both common and rare pulmonary disorders like asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), chronic cough or wheezing, neuromuscular-related breathing issues, chronic or restrictive lung diseases, tracheostomy and ventilator issues, obstructive sleep apnea, and more.

The Allergy and Immunology Clinic at Texas Children’s provides families with access to leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of children with allergy, asthma and primary immunodeficiency, as well as secondary immunodeficiency. Our allergy/immunology trained physicians perform specialized allergy skin or blood testing to determine the specific causes of all allergic diseases, including hay fever, asthma, eczema, hives, drug allergy and food allergy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy, a disease modifying treatment, will be offered for children with significant allergic disease. Assessment of allergic asthma will be performed through the pulmonary diagnostic laboratory to determine the most appropriate treatment. Evaluation of a child’s immune system will be provided for patients with recurrent infections for assessment of immunodeficiency. Individualized, compassionate expert medical care will be provided to offer relief from the chronic symptoms of allergic and immunologic diseases.

The specialty care opening is part of Texas Children’s thoughtful expansion into Austin that will help support the growing community and serve the state of Texas by keeping kids healthy and happy from birth to adulthood. Texas Children’s first health care location in Austin, Texas Children’s Urgent Care Westgate, opened in March 2018 and provides high quality, efficient and affordable pediatric-focused care after hours and on weekends. Additionally, Texas Children's Pediatrics acquired two pediatric practices in the summer of 2018. Texas Children’s Pediatrics provides full-service pediatric care for children of all ages including, among other offerings, prenatal counseling; newborn and infant care; well and sick child visits; immunizations; and hearing and vision screenings; as well as camp, school and sports physicals.

Additional pediatric subspecialties will be added in the coming months to help serve the growing needs of the Austin community including endocrinology, gastroenterology, dermatology, plastic surgery, optometry, neurology and urology.

For more information about Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin, visit www.texaschildrensspecialtycareaustin.org.

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About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO for children; has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country, Texas Children’s Pediatrics; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.