Neurology Opens New Child-Friendly Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Patients

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2021) — Throughout the past few years, the University of Kentucky’s Department of Neurology has experienced tremendous growth. As part of this growth, the Child Neurology division outgrew its clinic space within the Kentucky Clinic. As a solution to that problem, ��ɫ�� Child Neurology will open a new clinic on March 15 at ��ɫ�� HealthCare’s Turfland campus with several other pediatric subspecialty clinics.

“The move of child neurology to a dedicated space at the Turfland location includes a child-friendly space, which we were unable to provide in the mixed-use Kentucky Neuroscience Institute clinic in the Kentucky Clinic on the main medical campus," said Dr. Larry Goldstein, chair of the Department of Neurology and co-director of the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute. The new location is supported by state-of-the-art telecommunication capabilities, provides for easy access and will optimize the patient/family experience for children with neurological conditions.”

Child Neurology faculty, advanced practice providers (APP) and staff were highly involved in the planning and design process of the new clinic space. “We know that our patients and families have been the top priority in every decision made,” said Dr. Kimberly Jones, medical director for Child Neurology Ambulatory Services.

Jones says the countless highlights of the new space show their commitment to creating a warm and friendly environment with easier access. “We have a procedure room to offer state-of-the-art treatment for migraines, including Botox injections or nerve blocks. We will have an infusion center for acute treatment of severe migraines, so our children and adolescent patients will have treatment options besides the emergency department," she said.

The parking lot has been redesigned with the safety of children at the forefront, especially children who need wheelchairs or walkers. There is a private kid-friendly waiting room just for Child Neurology patients, reducing noise and stimulation for children with autism or other developmental needs. Support services including a laboratory and MRI are just around the corner. The site will also house a new Pediatric/Adolescent Headache Center.

In addition to creating a space suitable for the types of patients child neurologists serve, this move also allows the division an opportunity to grow. “We will be adding new faculty and APP’s to increase access for child neurology care in the region. "We are hiring a pediatric social worker to help support the needs of children requiring complex care. We will be adding cognitive-behavioral therapists and genetic counselors to provide more in-depth comprehensive care of our children with Tourette Syndrome, Migraine, Muscular Dystrophy, genetic syndromes and numerous other conditions,” said Jones.

��ɫ�� HealthCare’s Turfland campus is located at 2195 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington.

The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named ��ɫ�� among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion four years running. ��ɫ�� is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. ��ɫ�� has been judged a “Great College to Work for" three years in a row, and ��ɫ�� is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers." We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that ��ɫ�� HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for five straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.