July 2007

Pediatric Diabetes Program

When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it affects the entire family. That’s why we are pleased to announce the new St. John’s Children’s Hospital Pediatric Diabetes Program. 

St. John’s Diabetes Program works with patients and their families to provide quality diabetes care, education and ongoing support. This is a collaborative program between St. John’s Children’s Hospital and the University of Missouri Columbia Children’s Hospital.    

The program is comprehensive and includes both inpatient and outpatient care for the previously diagnosed and new onset pediatric diabetic patients. Our dedicated multi-disciplinary team of pediatric specialists are trained to help children diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Team members include:

Bert Bachrach MD- UMC Pediatric Endocrinologist

Dr. Bachrach earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis and his fellowship for Pediatric Endocrinology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Bachrach comes from Columbia two days a month to hold clinic for Springfield area patients.

Taryn Vaeth- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, CPNP

Taryn Vaeth earned both an undergraduate and masters’ degree in nursing from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She specializes in pediatrics and works directly with the St. John’s Pediatrics Diabetes Program. She holds clinic Monday through Friday for return visits.

In addition to these two staff members, our team includes St. John’s Pediatric Critical Care physicians and hospitalists, diabetes educators, pediatric inpatient nursing staff and Don Sponenberg, our medical director. Both Taryn Vaeth and our diabetes eduators are available 7 days a week for inpatient education and Monday through Friday for outpatient education.

The clinic is located at St. John's Clinic-Smith Glynn Callaway, 3231 S National Avenue, Suite 465 Springfield. We can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 417-841-0228. This number is for both outpatient questions and concerns as well as referrals for inpatient admissions.