Pediatric Brain Care

WELCOME

The Waisman Center Clinics provide comprehensive clinical care and support for children with disabilities and their families. The Waisman Center Pediatric Brain Care Clinic is a partnership with UW Health and the American Family Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Brain Care Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic for infants, children, and adolescents with, or at risk for, developmental and/or behavioral disabilities associated with an acquired brain injury, who have been hospitalized at the American Family Children’s Hospital.

Children and their families are seen for initial and follow-up visits to address concerns related to the affects of an acquired brain injury. These include: delay in growth and development, behavior issues, headache management, learning/memory deficits, school performance concerns, decisions on when to return to full activities, and any other concerns that you or your child may have. Individualized care is provided according to the needs of the child identified in collaboration with their parent or guardian.

YOUR CLINIC VISIT

An appointment will be scheduled for your child when discharged from the American Family Children’s Hospital. If you have any questions regarding your appointment, please call the Waisman Center Clinics at 608.263.3301.

  • This appointment may take up to four hours, so please plan accordingly.
  • All clinic visitors should park in stalls outlined in blue and give their license plate number to the schedulers upon check-in. (See map and directions below.)
  • Our clinic is located on the first floor of the Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue.
  • Plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Check in at the clinic reception desk located just beyond the Waisman Center’s main lobby.
  • A medical assistant may obtain your child’s height, weight, pulse and blood pressure. You and your child will be taken to an examination room.
  • Children will see a member of the critical care team and receive a neurocognitive screening evaluation by a developmental pediatrician or a pediatric neuropsychologist, based on their age. Depending on the child’s needs, a neurologist and a social worker are also available.
  • The clinics are a nut-free zone.

NOTE: Full visit information will be shared in writing with you and your child’s primary health care provider, subspecialists, and others as indicated by signed release of information forms.

GOALS OF THE CLINIC TEAM

  • Provide early recognition and treatment of behavioral, developmental, or learning deficits as a result of a brain injury.
  • Provide symptom management of post-concussive headaches.
  • Provide health care counseling regarding prevention of subsequent brain injury.
  • Create a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals to meet your child’s specific needs.
  • Facilitate access to community resources and services to support your child and family.
  • Support and advocate for the patient and family.

Clinic Team

Clinic Director

Peter Ferrazzano, MD

Position title: Professor, Pediatrics

Clinic Coordinator

Lynne Sears, CPNP

Position title: Nurse Practitioner

Clinic Team

Karen Carpenter, MS, CRC, LPC

Position title: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

Alanna M. Kessler-Jones, PsyD

Position title: Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Cassie Meffert, PA-C, AQH

Position title: Physician Assistant

Maps, Directions, and Parking for Clinic Visitors

Parking MapFrom the east—follow University Avenue through campus and then go off to the right on Campus Drive; stay in the right lane and turn right at the University Bay Drive/Farley Avenue intersection.

From the west—follow University Avenue and turn left at the University Bay Drive/Farley Avenue intersection. After making the turn (from either direction)... Continue straight over the hill; the road at that point becomes Highland Avenue. The Waisman Center is at the bottom of the hill on the left, across the street from UW-Children's Hospital.

PARKING: All clinic visitors should park in stalls outlined in blue and give their license plate number to the schedulers upon check-in.

ENTRANCE: Enter building in north tower at main clinics/lobby doors. Turn right and walk through lobby to clinics registration desk.

Click on map thumbnail to view larger image.

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