Children’s Health Center marks 10 years of pediatric & specialty care

MANKATO (Sept. 16, 2024) — In September 2014, Mankato Clinic opened the Children’s Health Center to offer pediatric and specialty care in one location, close to home. As the Mankato Clinic Children’s Health Center marks 10 years, the Children’s Health Center continues to grow and expand to offer more services and specialties in south central Minnesota.  

“We know specialty care is essential for many children and families in our region. Mankato Clinic is committed to making sure services for children with special needs and abilities, along with specialized medical care, are available close to home. We are here to help our children, families and communities thrive,” Katie Smentek, MD, Mankato Clinic pediatrician, says.

Mankato Clinic and Pediatric Therapy Services are also marking five years together as Mankato Clinic Pediatric Therapy Services. In 2019, Pediatric Therapy Services, which offers physical, occupational and speech-language therapy, joined the Mankato Clinic. Pediatric therapists offer services at Children’s Health Center and St. Andrews Court in Mankato.

Children’s Health Center houses nine pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioner Christine Hunter, APRN, DNP, CPNP-PC. Here are the additional specialties.

  • Behavioral Health – Sarah Sifers, Ph.D, LP, is a psychologist who offers short-term treatment to children facing mental health issues. 
  • Care Management – Abby Schneider, RN, coordinates care for children with complex medical needs and helps families navigate the medical journey. 
  • Gastroenterology – Dr. Kara Sullivan and Dr. Glenn Gourley diagnose and treat digestive disorders in children.
  • Nutrition – Laura Hoekstra, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian who provides nutrition services in all stages – infant, toddler, child and teen.
  • Pediatric Therapy Services – Pediatric therapists see children at Children’s Health Center and St. Andrews Court in Mankato. 
  • Weight Management – Dr. Darla Wrage treats children with weight issues to promote lifelong health.
  • Pediatric Cardiology – Visiting physician from Children’s Minnesota
  • Pediatric Neurology – Visiting physican from Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology
  • Gillette Children’s – Services and assistive equipment for children with brain, bone and movement conditions.
  • Javara Research – Mankato Clinic partnered with Javara to bring clinical studies and treatments to the region.

A partnership between Mankato Clinic and Gillette Children’s is a cornerstone of the Children’s Health Center.

“It’s vital to provide healthcare to children who have disabilities and complex medical needs in Greater Minnesota,” said Tim Feyma, MD, a pediatric neurologist at Gillette Children’s. “That’s why we are grateful to provide many of our services at the Mankato Clinic Children’s Health Center, so families can access care where they live.”  

Children’s Health Center was designed for children with a colorful lobby, an interactive floor where they can play and a reading nook stocked by The Creative Company. Children can take home a book at every visit. Artwork features local children discovering the outdoors in their backyards, parks and natural spaces across Greater Mankato. 

“The Children’s Health Center brings the Minnesota outdoors inside with natural sunlight, a reception desk that looks like a dock and real birch tree trunks! We were intentional in creating a kid-friendly space for families. We chose not to have screens in the lobby or exam rooms to encourage families to explore our natural world,” Dr. Smentek says. “It’s a playful, cheerful place for our patients, our providers and our staff!”

Mankato Clinic Children’s Center is located at 1421 Premier Drive, Mankato. To learn more, visit www.mankatoclinic.com/specialties/pediatrics.

About Mankato Clinic

In 1916, Mankato Clinic was founded in Mankato by five area physicians who believed that a comprehensive, multi-specialty group practice offered the best means of providing quality health care to the residents of southern Minnesota. Mankato Clinic has grown to nearly 200 physicians and practitioners, employs more than 900 total people and is one of the only physician owned and led medical facilities in the state of Minnesota.