Cincinnati Children's Brings Specialty Services to Jackson and Surrounding Counties

Monday, January 02, 2006

CINCINNATI -- One of the leading children's hospitals in the United States is bringing two of its world-class services and physicians to Jackson and six surrounding counties to treat infants, children and adolescents up to the age of 21.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is bringing its specialty services to the Jackson area because children with heart problems or who need plastics or reconstructive care require specialized attention. These services are not currently being provided in the area.

Cincinnati Children's provides a cardiology clinic for children and adolescents with heart disease. The Heart Clinic will take place four times a year. Robert Beekman, MD, director of cardiology at Cincinnati Children's, will staff the clinic. Dr. Beekman is a nationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in children.

In addition Cincinnati Children's has begun holding a Plastics and Reconstruction Clinic for children and adolescents. This clinic will be held twice a year. Christopher Gordon, MD, will staff this clinic. Dr. Gordon is known throughout the United States as well as Latin America and South America for his novel facial skeletal surgical treatments.

"The Board of Health and I are very pleased this new partnership with Cincinnati Children's will offer an array of much needed specialty medical services to children in Jackson and surrounding counties," says Greg Ervin, health commissioner, Jackson County. "These specialty clinics will help remove transportation barriers, allowing our children to receive world class medical services without having to leave our community. This new connection with Cincinnati Children's will help health departments throughout Southeastern Ohio, connecting children who have special medical needs with high quality medical care."

Drs. Beekman and Gordon will provide services for families who need them from Jackson, Ross, Vinton, Gallia, Lawrence, Scioto and Pike counties. In providing these services, Cincinnati Children's will work in collaboration with families' primary care providers. The services are part of a partnership among the Ohio Health Department, Jackson Health Department and Cincinnati Children's.

Families interested in receiving these specialty services should call the Jackson County Health Department at 740-286-5094.

Cincinnati Children's is a 423-bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to transforming the way health care is delivered by providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, family-centered, equitable and safe. It ranks third nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health.