Shortly after 5-year-old Ross McMurdo of Nixa was born with one kidney missing and the remaining kidney scarred, his parents, Sheranne and Shannon, began making once- and sometimes twice-monthly trips to St. Louis so Ross could see a pediatric nephrologist (kidney specialist) there.

“The drive back and forth to St. Louis to see the doctor got pretty grueling after awhile and we had the expenses of a hotel and eating out every time we went up there,” Sheranne says. “Finally, when Ross was about a year old, our insurance switched to the St. John’s network. Our new pediatrician, John Burson, M.D., told us about a pediatric nephrologist who comes to Springfield twice a month to see patients at St. John’s. It was a real lifesaver for us to be able to get the care Ross needs here.”

Pediatric nephrologist Ted Groshong, M.D., who practices with University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia, is one of more than a dozen visiting pediatric specialists who practice at St. John‘s Children’s Specialty Clinic, located in suite 220 in St. John’s Clinic-Fremont on the St. John’s campus.

Ross and Dr. Groshong

In addition to hosting the visiting physicians, the clinic coordinates all specialty care for pediatric patients, including referrals, lab work and pediatric procedures that require sedation.

“For the kids who still have to travel out of town for procedures, such as cardiac or some urological surgeries, or to see specialists who don’t come to us, we can do the lab work and other testing for them here. We try to minimize travel for these families as much as we possibly can,” says Tye Wallen, R.N., St. John’s Children’s services coordinator.

Because many patients often see more than one specialist, the clinic arranges for them to see their physicians and other health care providers, such as respiratory therapists and dietitians, as well as have any necessary tests performed, in one visit.

In addition to Dr. Groshong, Ross sees a pediatric endocrinologist, Bert Bachrach, M.D., every three months.
“A lot of kids with kidney problems don’t grow as quickly as other kids, so Dr. Bachrach keeps on eye on his growth,” Sheranne says.

The clinic cares for some patients into adolescence and adulthood, Wallen says.
“Due to advances in care and technology, we’re seeing people with muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and hemophilia living longer and healthier lives,” she says. “We’re pleased to continue providing them with the care they need here.”

A genetic counselor from St. John’s Clinic-Maternal/Fetal Medicine visits the clinic regularly to assist those physicians.

“The genetics counselor does a lot of readiness work for the physicians by interviewing the parents of a child with a genetic condition or illness and making recommendations for testing,” Wallen says. “She also provides education and resources to parents after a diagnosis.”

Although a kidney transplant is in Ross’s future, he is doing well. In addition to seeing his physicians regularly, parents Shereann and Shannon make sure he takes his medication and avoids caffeine and contact sports to limit the stress on his kidney.

While the McMurdos appreciate the clinic’s convenience and services, they appreciate the positive, caring attitudes of the physicians and staff there even more.

“They don’t see our son as a kidney on the table; they see him as Ross,” Shereann says. “We love Dr. Groshong and are so happy we found him.”
“He (Dr. Groshong) calls me Tweety Bird,” Ross adds. “It’s silly, but I like it.”

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