Georgetown Edition | June 2026

BY KATLYNN FOX

development director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. “It’s going to allow them … to make a middle-of-the-night medical decision for their child.” The context Previously, families had to travel outside of the region to seek treatment for their children, said Deb Brown, chief operating officer at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Similarly, patients within the Texas Children’s Hospital network had to travel to Houston before its North Austin campus opened in 2024. What’s next? Dell Children’s Medical Center is in the process of expanding services by upgrading the Com- prehensive Fetal Care Center. A new physician, Dr. Alireza Shamshirsaz is now seeing patients, with his partner, Dr. Oluseyi Ogunleye, starting in July. Additionally, Texas Children’s recently hired Dr. Tony Wen, medical director of maternal-fetal medicine, who specializes in pregnancies with fetal and obstetrical complications, and Dr. Sheng-Pei Wang, a pediatric dermatologist.

creatures, to the highly-trained doctors and child life specialists. Pediatric hospitals are built around children’s physical, emotional and developmental needs, featuring child-friendly environments and highly specialized care teams that extend beyond traditional medical staff. They also provide family-centered support through child life specialists, therapeutic activities and specialized pediatric programs that address a wide range of complex childhood conditions. Who it’s for At pediatric facilities, healing and care is not just extended to patients, but to the family. Each room at Texas Children’s has a patient bed and a separate bed for family members. Additionally, Texas Children’s in Northwest Austin recently celebrated the opening of a Ronald McDonald House at the hospital in March. The new facility offers in-hospital free home overnight stays, food and transportation for families. “Our families are going to be just steps away from their child’s care,” said Arden Whitley, senior

Pediatric facility distinctions

Team effort In addition to a standard team of care, pediatric care

can also include: • a social worker • a pediatric pharmacist • a pediatric dietitian

• added medical specialists

Social support Children and families are paired with a child life specialist to explain the diagnosis and offer alternative therapies, including: • making art • playing instruments or singing • meeting with a therapy dog

Specialized programs Dell Children’s offers over 40 specialty and sub- specialty programs to care for children with congenital anomalies. Texas Children’s specializes in:

• multi-disciplinary care • a neuroscience division

• orthopedic and sports medicine

SOURCE: TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, DELL CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER

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