Helping children grow, thrive, and receive the care they need, close to home.
From a baby’s first well-child visit to the challenges of adolescence, pediatric care is about more than treating illness or keeping immunizations up to date. It is about building relationships, supporting healthy development, and helping families navigate the many stages of childhood.
At Blue Ridge Health, that philosophy shapes a pediatric care approach that extends well beyond the examination room.
“Having pediatric care right in the communities we serve makes a huge difference for children and their families,” said Jacki Hawkins, Director of Practice Operations at Blue Ridge Health.
For many families, access to care close to home means fewer transportation challenges, less time away from work or school, and fewer long-distance trips when a child needs medical attention. Just as importantly, it creates opportunities to develop lasting relationships with healthcare professionals who come to know their patients and understand their needs.
Those relationships are at the heart of BRH’s pediatric approach.
“Being part of a child’s care is so much more than just that,” said Kristana Stuart, Pediatric Service Line Manager for Rainbow Pediatrics and Pediatric Specialties. “We take care of the whole family, even if we aren’t treating them. We are building relationships and trust so when they do return for visits, they are comfortable and know that the care their child will be receiving is quality care.”
Routine well-child visits, immunizations, and growth and developmental screenings provide an important foundation. But children’s healthcare needs change as they grow. A developmental concern may emerge. A family may need help managing a chronic condition, navigating a difficult diagnosis, or finding specialized medical attention.
BRH’s pediatric teams support families through those experiences, providing continuity of care and connecting them with additional services and resources as needed.
Increasingly, that includes access to pediatric specialties that families might otherwise have to travel outside their communities to receive.
Blue Ridge Health offers pediatric neurology, endocrinology, pulmonology, and nutrition services, expanding access to care for children with complex medical needs. Investments in specialized equipment, including pulmonary function testing and electroencephalogram (EEG) studies, further strengthen the organization’s ability to provide advanced pediatric services closer to home.
BRH has also expanded its pediatric team by adding a pediatrician to provide another level of care and increase families’ access to services. At its general pediatrics clinic, genetic testing is helping families begin the process of finding answers to complex medical questions.
For parents already balancing the demands of caring for a child with a chronic or complicated condition, having these resources available locally can make a meaningful difference.
“What’s been most meaningful is seeing that growth happen in response to what our communities actually need,” Hawkins said. “It’s not just about adding another service or location. It’s about making it easier for families to get the right care for their children without having to travel outside of their community whenever possible.”
But expanded services and medical technology tell only part of the story.
For Stuart, the greatest reward comes from watching children grow, from newborns beginning their lives to young adults preparing for college or careers. Along the way, BRH’s pediatric professionals become familiar faces for families celebrating milestones, managing everyday concerns and confronting unexpected challenges.
“Being able to walk through a journey with a family after a severe diagnosis and be there for them is what we are all about,” Stuart said.
That commitment shows in the relationships pediatric teams build with families and the care they provide at every stage of childhood.
“We have a team of medical professionals who pour their heart into the work they do and really care about our patients; that is what makes all the difference.”
Kristana Stuart, Pediatric Service Line Manager, Rainbow Pediatrics and Pediatric Specialties
At Blue Ridge Health, pediatric care is not simply about treating a sick child. It is about supporting families, recognizing concerns early, connecting children with the care they need, and building a foundation for lifelong health.