CHRISTUS Kids Clinic expansion means wider range of service for surrounding communities

CHRISTUS Kids Clinic has undergone a recent renovation and expansion that allows more children to be treated at its Shreveport facility with more resources.

CHRISTUS Kids Clinic offers pediatric physical, occupational and speech-language therapy to help children from birth to 21 years old meet developmental milestones and gain life skills through developing movement, communication, feeding and play.

The expansion of the 8,700 square-foot facility includes an additional 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, said Lisa Hooper, outpatient clinical supervisor of physical medicine and rehabilitation with CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System.

“We’ve currently outgrown our space, and this gives us more area to be able to provide more care for our kids who are having to wait to get in,” she said. “We currently have over 35 patients per discipline who we need to get in for therapy. So, there’s a big need in the Shreveport-Bossier area to service these children.”

The clinic sees about 300 patients a week and has on staff six speech therapists, six physical therapists and seven occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants.

The project is funded through CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier, with donations made through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“We take in donations and then match them to the projects that impact patients and families,” said Amy Heron, executive director of philanthropy with CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier.

Additional therapists will be hired to accommodate the expansion, said Andrew D’Avy, director of rehabilitation services with CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier.

“This clinic offers the most advanced service and equipment locally, even regionally,” he said. “In our partnership with Children’s Miracle Network, we get funding and grant monies for services, education and equipment.”

Hooper said the expansion is an important move for local and surrounding communities.

“We have children who come from two hours away to get their care,” she said.