Pediatrics / Tots to Teens
With more than four decades of caring for Gallatin Valley kids, no one else comes close to our experience and solid reputation. Our board-certified pediatricians offer comprehensive care from birth through adolescence. We’re up-to-date with the latest treatment techniques, technology, and training. And, when high-level specialists can help, we’re connected with some of the best, both locally and through long-distance telemedicine consultation. Over 90% of our nurses are certified specifically as pediatric nurses ensuring that they have all of the training that they need to care for your little ones. We have a special connection with children. From helping them relax to joking around, our providers’ caring about kids is evident. We’ll never outgrow caring for our patients. Here are some of the services that we provide.
Meet the Pediatrics Team
Michael J Blake
MD
Pediatrics
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Jaclyn Bender
DO
Pediatric Hospitalist
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Kristen E Day
MD
Pediatrics
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Pepper J Kerr
MD
Pediatrics
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Stephanie Starr
MD
Pediatrics
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William J Allen Jr
MD
Pediatrics
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Shaina Rogers
DO, MPH
Pediatrics
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Deborah Cades
PA-C, PA
Pediatrics
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Annie N Hansen
CNP
Pediatrics
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Lynne A Foss
CNP
Pediatrics
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Joe Fox
MD
Pediatric Orthopedics
Jillian Hatfiled
PA
Pediatric Orthopedics
Sam Wittekind
MD, MS
Pediatric Cardiology
Guy Young
MD
Pediatric Hermatology
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Kendra Fajardo
Au.D.
Audiology
Amanda Joan Kull
MD
Otolaryngology
(Ear, Nose & Throat)
Michele Morrison
DO, FACS
Otolaryngology
(Ear, Nose & Throat)
Pediatric Resources
Pediatric Cardiology
- Breathing Issues
Symptoms: Rapid breathing, shortness of breath, difficulty feeding, frequent respiratory infections.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Congenital heart defects (e.g., atrioventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot) can lead to poor oxygen circulation.
– Spinal abnormalities (e.g., scoliosis) can impact lung function. - Bluish Skin (Cyanosis)
Symptoms: Blue tint on lips, fingers, or toes, especially when crying or active.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Congenital heart defects (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot) that reduce oxygen in the blood.
– Circulatory issues that affect oxygen delivery. - Poor Growth and Feeding Issues
Symptoms: Difficulty feeding, tiring quickly, slow weight gain.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Congenital heart conditions causing the heart to work harder.
– Neuromuscular conditions affecting the ability to swallow properly. - Excessive Sweating
Symptoms: Profuse sweating, especially when eating or being active.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Congestive heart failure leading to increased energy expenditure. - Chest Pain or Heart Palpitations
Symptoms: Discomfort in the chest, irregular heartbeat, dizziness.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Arrhythmias causing abnormal heart rhythms.
– Musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., costochondritis) that cause pain. - Fainting (Syncope)
Symptoms: Loss of consciousness, especially after activity.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Heart rhythm disorders such as long QT syndrome.
– Poor circulation or low blood pressure. - Frequent Bone or Joint Pain
Symptoms: Persistent pain in the legs, arms, or joints, limping, avoiding physical activity.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Osteochondritis dissecans (cartilage/bone condition).
– Juvenile arthritis causing inflammation.
– Scoliosis or spinal issues affecting posture and movement.
- Heart Murmurs
Symptoms: Unusual heart sounds detected by a doctor.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Benign murmurs (normal in some children).
– Congenital heart defects that need monitoring. - High Blood Pressure
Symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, nosebleeds (often asymptomatic).
Possible Diagnoses:
– Hypertension affecting long-term heart and kidney health. - Swelling (Edema)
Symptoms: Puffy legs, swollen belly, or puffy eyelids.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Congestive heart failure causing fluid buildup.
– Kidney or liver conditions affecting circulation. - Fatigue and Low Energy
Symptoms: Lack of stamina, avoiding physical activities, frequent naps.
Possible Diagnoses:
– Congenital heart conditions affecting oxygen delivery.
– Musculoskeletal disorders reducing mobility.
Pediatric Orthopedics
A Pediatric Orthopedist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues – such as bone, joint, muscle, and ligament problems – in infants, children, and adolescents. They possess specialized training to address the unique needs of growing bodies, ensuring that treatments support healthy development.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Deformities: Addressing conditions present at birth, such as clubfoot and hip dysplasia.
Management of Limb and Spine Deformities: Treating issues like scoliosis and limb length discrepancies.
Care for Gait Abnormalities: Evaluating and treating limping or other walking irregularities.
Fracture Care: Providing specialized treatment for broken bones in children, considering their growth and development.
Treatment of Bone and Joint Infections: Managing infections that can affect the musculoskeletal system.
Sports Injury Management: Addressing injuries related to athletic activities, ensuring safe return to play.
Non-Surgical and Surgical Interventions: Utilizing both conservative treatments, like casting and physical therapy, and performing surgeries when necessary.
Collaboration with Other Specialists: Working alongside neurologists, rheumatologists, and endocrinologists to provide comprehensive care tailored to each child’s needs.
Pediatric Hematology
Pediatric Hematology is a specialized branch of medicine focused on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of blood disorders in children. These disorders may include various types of anemia, bleeding disorders, clotting disorders, and blood cancers such as leukemia. Pediatric hematologists work to understand the underlying causes of these conditions, utilizing a combination of clinical assessment, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.
Dr. Young specializes in caring for children, teens and young adults with disorders of the blood. There are currently no pediatric hematologists in Southwest Montana, and very few in the state. Dr. Young looks forward to bringing this highly specialized area of medicine to Bozeman and the surrounding areas.
Common disorders Dr. Young sees are:
- Anemias, Thrombocytopenia including ITP, Leukopenia/Neutropenia Erythrocytosis, Thrombocytosis, Leukocytosis
- Excessive bleeding including easy bruising, nose bleeds, gum or mouth bleeding, post-surgical bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, other excessive bleeding
- Rare blood disorders such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- Vascular disorders such as vascular anomalies (hemangiomas and others) and Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura (HSP)
Pediatric Audiology
Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations
- Diagnostic evaluations for pediatrics (newborns and kids) and adults
- Tinnitus evaluations
- Video otoscopy
Pediatric Hearing Evaluations
The first three years of life are one of the most critical time periods for speech and language development, cognitive development, and development of auditory nerve pathways. Newborn hearing screenings are imperative for early intervention. Early intervention enables children to learn to communicate comparably with his or her hearing peers and not fall behind in cognitive and social skills.
The State of Montana requires the Department of Health to implement a newborn hearing screening to test each child within the first month of life. Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital completes these screenings before the baby leaves the hospital. Infants who do not pass the initial hearing screenings are scheduled for follow-up with their pediatricians and then for further evaluation by an audiologist.
The follow-up evaluations should be completed within three months of birth to ensure early intervention if necessary.
Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
Sports Physicals
Well-Child Checks & Screenings
Urgent & Same-Day Care
Psychiatric Services
Whole mind and body health is of great importance to us. Our Psychiatric Services Specialist works collaboratively with your child’s primary care provider to identify social-emotional concerns early and provide parenting strategies to support healthy development. In addition to preventative work during early childhood, brief counseling is offered to parents and patients to address current mental health symptoms and support the development of coping skills. By addressing potential mental health and psychiatric services concerns early, families are provided the opportunity to identify supports and engage in services early in their child’s development.
Pediatric Therapy
Our team of expert therapists focuses on evidence-based care for children and has extensive training in unique areas to better serve young people. We work as a team with children and their families in order to develop skills and independence. Occupational therapy enhances a child’s participation in everyday activities such as self-help skills, play, social skills, fine motor skills, coordination, sensory processing, cognition, strength and general development.
Physical therapy helps a child improve strength, flexibility, breathing, balance and coordination. Speech therapy treats communication challenges that cause children to have difficulty with verbal communication. It also treats issues such as chewing and swallowing, dislike of feeding, and play, language and social skills.
Bozeman Health Pediatric Therapy provides services based on evidence-based treatment interventions. Our team of experienced therapists specializes in pediatrics and has extensive training in unique areas to better serve our patients. They work as a multidisciplinary team, with children and their families, in order to optimize development and independence. Occupational therapy helps children build and develop skills at their “jobs,” to play, learn and socialize. If they are having issues with these activities, this specialized therapy will provide solutions and practice to build the skills needed.
Pediatric physical therapy strengthens children’s movement and function after surgery, injury or other impairment. Speech therapy emphasizes communication and cognition so that children are able to understand and communicate with the people and world around them. Pelvic floor dysfunction treatment is a unique service to help address bowel and bladder issues in children. Bozeman Health Pediatric Therapy helps us live out our mission to improve community health and quality of life, and we’re so glad our younger patients can benefit from these services.
In addition to services listed above, programs we offer include:
- Adaptive equipment assessments and fittings
- Assistive technology assessment and recommendations
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services
- Bowel and bladder management
- Feeding and swallowing treatment (issues from breastfeeding to dislike of feeding)
- Infant assessments
- Learning disability interventions
- Abnormal head shape (plagiocephaly) measurements and evaluations
- Breathing assessment and treatment
- Sensory processing
- Play therapy
- Visual-motor assessment and treatment
Comprehensive Care
Medical Home
Medical Home is a team-led, patient-centered approach to healthcare, where the patient is the most important player on their healthcare team. The patient and the Medical Home team develop a plan of care created specifically for the patient, focusing on wellness and prevention, keeping the patient connected with the healthcare team and coordinating care with other healthcare providers. Bozeman Health Pediatrics has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Physician Practice Connections—Patient-Centered Medical Home program for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participator relationships.
Vaccinations
Like you, our main concern is keeping your child safe and healthy. Some parents worry about possible side effects of vaccinations and if their child really needs all the recommended shots. Misinformation abounds, but the bottom line is that vaccines are safe and protect your child from serious harm. You can be confident you are making the right decision to vaccinate your child. If you have concerns, our pediatricians and pediatric nurses will do their best to alleviate your concerns, while providing you with accurate information.
