Bringing More Pediatric Care to the Region

To answer the growing need in Danville and the surrounding counties for more pediatric care, Danville Regional Health System has established a new practice that's dedicated to Children. The Children's Healthcare Center North opened this July in the Madison Square Shopping Center at Mt. Cross Road and Piedmont Drive.

"Demographic studies have shown that the pediatric population of this region would be best served by at least 10 to 12 pediatricians. Before the Children's Healthcare Center North opened, there was only half that number of pediatricians practicing in this area," said an administrator of the Children's and Family Healthcare Centers. "By bringing two more pediatricians to Danville, we've significantly increased accessibility to pediatric care in the area."

Shanna Kautzmann, M.D., has joined the DRHS Children's Healthcare Center North. "I'm glad to have this opportunity to help fulfill the region's need for pediatric care," she said. A native of Virginia, Dr. Kautzmann recently completed her residency at the University of Tennessee/LeBonheur Children's Medical Center. "My husband and I were attracted to Danville because it's a family-oriented community and a great place to raise our child."

The new practice also has a familiar face. Nada Owusu, M.D., has joined the Children's Healthcare Center North after practicing pediatrics at the Family Healthcare Center of Chatham. "By bringing more pediatricians to Danville, our goal is to help parents make an appointment and get their children taken care of more quickly - and perhaps prevent an unnecessary visit to the Emergency Department or a lengthy drive out of town for medical care," explained an administrator.

The convenience of the Children's Healthcare Center North is enhanced by its location right next to the Better Health Center. There, parents and their children have access to a wide variety of resources and support services, including diabetes education, pediatric occupational, physical and speech therapies, the Consumer Health Library, and classes on health and wellness topics.

In addition to the brand new Children's Healthcare Center North, Danville Regional Health System has acquired a local pediatric practice. Early this past summer, the private practice of pediatricians Max Lassiter, M.D., Noah Gibson IV, M.D., and Robert Broughton, M.D., became the Children's Healthcare Center South. "This established practice has simply joined Danville Regional Health System's family of primary care services," said an administrator. "The advantage of the Children's Healthcare Center South is that it is located right across the street from the many services and specialists available at Danville Regional Medical Center."

Although the new Children's Healthcare Centers focus completely on providing medical care for children, both children and adults can receive comprehensive healthcare services at one of three Family Healthcare Centers. With locations in Danville, Chatham and Gretna, many families find the Family Healthcare Centers more convenient to where they live or work.

"While some parents would rather have their children cared for by a specialist, others prefer to bring the whole family to a family practice physician," said an administrator. "That's why Danville Regional Health System offers both the Children's Healthcare Centers and the Family Healthcare Centers: to provide families with plenty of options in the way they want to take care of their family."