A model of care that merges emergency, observation, and in-patient care into one integrated setting
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Available in-house for our pediatric patients are Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Surgery. Our Pediatric Surgeons are known to be among the best in the state. For new breast-feeding mothers with sick infants, our nurses along with lactation experts provided breast-feeding support throughout the infant's hospital stay. For babies who are readmitted after discharge from the nursery or NICU, our neonatologists will provide their ongoing expertise if needed. Available by phone consultation for our pediatric patients are Pediatric Neurology, Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Pulmonary, Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, and Infectious Diseases. We have a standing affiliation with Johns Hopkins Pediatric Cardiology and are able to obtain rapid readings of Echocardiograms. We also have a psychiatrist or psychologist available on a daily basis to see Pediatric patients in psychiatric crisis. For those patients in need of a higher level of care in a tertiary hospital, our physician-nurse teams are experts in rapidly stabilizing and transporting patients.
Our Team
Dr. Scott obtained her undergraduate degree from Rhodes College (Memphis, TN) and then went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Tennessee (Memphis, TN).

Laura B. Scott, MD
Director, Pediatric Emergency/Inpatient Unit
Pediatrics

Laura B. Scott, MD
Director, Pediatric Emergency/Inpatient Unit
Pediatrics
Dr. Hammond is the physician recruiter for the Pediatric Inpatient and Emergency Medicine Department at GBMC.

Jenna K. Hammond, MD
Pediatrics

Jenna K. Hammond, MD
Pediatrics
Originally from Toronto, Canada she attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergrad followed by Georgetown University for a Masters of Science in Physiology and Biophysics, then attended Tulane University in New Orleans for medical school.

Kristal E. Prather, MD
Pediatrics

Kristal E. Prather, MD
Pediatrics

Jennifer R. DiBiagio, MD
Pediatrics

Jennifer R. DiBiagio, MD
Pediatrics

Cecily S. Dorros,
Pediatrics

Cecily S. Dorros,
Pediatrics

Sara B. Eleoff Van Durme, MD, MPH, FAAP
Pediatrics

Sara B. Eleoff Van Durme, MD, MPH, FAAP
Pediatrics

Frances Gonzalez-Figueroa, MD
Pediatrics

Frances Gonzalez-Figueroa, MD
Pediatrics

Kerry R. Shaab, MD
Pediatrics

Kerry R. Shaab, MD
Pediatrics
Joy Grantland, PA
Joy Grantland joined the Pediatric ER in May 2015 as the unit's first Physician Assistant after almost five years of practice in primary care pediatrics.
She received her undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College in Virginia. She then worked for the Johns Hopkins Immunogenetics team as part of the solid organ and bone marrow transplant service. While there, she earned a master's degree in Biotechnology. This was followed by a medical degree in 2010 from St. Francis University.
Our Services
- A "Quick Look" evaluation by a nurse as soon as you walk through the door
- Waiting area specially designed for children
- A Pediatric Observation Unit where your child's health status can be regularly monitored
- In-room registration and separate triage for children
- Rooms for children that need to be admitted overnight with couches for parents to sleep over
- Board certified round-the-clock physicians and nurses
- Urgent Care Center for minor trauma, splintering and laceration repair
- Fast turn around for laboratory services
- Mental health evaluation and care

Saving Our Baby's Life
“I believe your daughter has Infant Botulism. There is a treatment, but it is only made in California. She may get worse before she gets better. She may lose her breathing.” These words that were spoken to us only a short time after our five-month-old baby, Madison, entered the Emergency Room....
Read MoreProgram Philosophy and Vision
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One of the biggest strengths of our Pediatric Unit is our philosophy of Image Gently, where considerable thought is given to appropriate use of any imaging procedures that involve ionizing radiation. For example, our first line of evaluation for appendicitis is ultrasound, and we are able to diagnose this condition via this modality in more than 50% of cases. By following the recommendations of PECARN, Pediatric Emergency Care Associated Research Network, we have been able to reduce the percentage of pediatric patients who undergo Head CT for evaluation of minor closed head trauma from 50% to 12% without missing any diagnosis of intracranial bleeding.
Another strength of our Pediatric Combined Care Unit is our focus on the alleviation of pain, the acute pain derived from trauma and illness as well as the pain that can be associated with procedures conducted as part of emergency evaluation and treatment. Our repertoire of medications for management of pain include intra-nasal medications that can be rapidly administered and feel like a nose spray to the child, oral medications in liquid and tablet form, and a variety of IV medications that can be used in combination as needed. Topical numbing agents are useful for patients requiring stitches, abscess incision and drainage, among other indications. For more invasive procedures or those that require immobility our pediatricians are credentialed to provide both moderate and deep sedation.
If your child is acutely ill, or has any medical needs beyond what can be provided in the home or a Pediatrician's office, GBMC Pediatrics would be honored to provide your child and your family with our outstanding care.
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