Special care for youngest Team Barksdale members

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Victoria Lalich
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
The antiseptic smell inside hospitals and clinics is enough to put many Airmen on edge about visits to the doctor. Imagine the uncertainty a small child might feel, not knowing if a trip to the clinic will result in a smiley-face sticker or a shot!

Fortunately for the youngest members of Team Barksdale, the clinic on base is home to one of the best pediatric sections in the military.

"Military parents need reassurance that their children are well cared for," said Dr. (Lt. Col.) Katie Aranda, 2nd Medical Group. "We all work better knowing our children are healthy and safe. If sick, they receive the appropriate care in a timely manner."

Barksdale's pediatric clinic has many similarities to a civilian practice, but is conveniently located on base. Another advantage is their ability to consolidate many services within the same facility.

Tricare Prime patients of all branches of the military are seen at the pediatrics clinic. The clinic sees approximately 3,800 children from birth to 12 years of age for a variety of ailments. Children older than 12 years are typically transitioned into the family practice clinic.

Pediatric appointments range from a well-child visit, diagnosing an ill child, or even routine visits for warts or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, said Aranda. 

"We understand what our military parents go through on a day to day basis," said Amy Knight, 2nd Medical Group Licensed Practical Nurse. "I have two children that are also seen here in the clinic, and it's nice to have a clinic happy to help regardless of how big or how small the problem."

There is also a section in the clinic which offers special care to Barksdale's children.

"For the past two-and-a-half years, I have been able to offer specialty care in my Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic," said Aranda. "Nearly 150 children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, cerebral palsy and other developmental disorders were evaluated and their care was managed.

Although this section will soon be closing, there is a transition plan in place for all the patients to continue to receive excellent care in other locations, said Aranda.

The developmental-behavioral section of the pediatrics clinic is not the only significant change to care patients have seen during their time in the Air Force.

"We are introducing a new, exciting program in our clinic called the Child Health and Development Interaction System," said Aranda. "Parents can go online prior to their well-child visits and ADHA follow-up visits and complete questionnaires in their own home that will be used in their visit. Before this program, parents would have to complete paperwork in the clinic, which wasn't always possible if they had multiple children or if the patient was not cooperative."

Parents interested in using CHADIS can visit www.chadis.com for more information. To schedule an appointment for your child at the pediatrics clinic, please call the appointment desk at 456-6555.