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GI for Kids, PLLC

East Tennessee Children's Hospital Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Services

GI for Kids, PLLC is East Tennessee's premier pediatric gastroenterology group. We are staffed with three of the area's finest board certified pediatric gastroenterologists, in addition to four nurse practitioners, two behavior health clinicians, two registered dieticians, and research coordinator. We serve all of east Tennessee and the surrounding areas. Our doctors see over fifteen thousand outpatient visits, and perform hundreds of endoscopic procedures annually.

GI for Kids, PLLC has offices in Knoxville and Kingsport, Tennessee. We are affiliated with East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, which has a new state-of-the-art Endoscopy Suite equipped with cutting-edge technology. Our Endoscopy Suite is specifically designed to meet the needs of the children it serves, and is staffed with trained pediatric professionals.

Our group is skilled in treating all types of pediatric gastroenterologic disease processes. In caring for our patients, our staff takes into account the unique social, emotional and nutritional needs of each child. Our physicians include Youhanna S. Al-Tawil, MD, Medical Director, and Clarisa Cuevas, MD. Our three nurse practitioners, Jackie Lott, and Wendy Taylor, see patients in our office. In addition, our registered dieticians, Sandy R. Altizer, RD, LDN, Ashley Rogers, MS, RD, LDN, and Callie McCamy, RD provide assistance to pediatric patients facing a wide variety of nutritional and dietary issues.

Transitions: Behavior Health Center for Kids, is the newest newest addition to our practice. We created the Center to more effectively reach the children and families who need behavior health help. Our psychologists, Regina Hummel, PhD, and Kate Christian, LCSW, offer support to those patients and families who need assistance, as various stressors and emotional issues go hand in hand with gastroenterology problems. Both behavior health clinicians can also see patients with referrals that are not related to gastroenterology problems.

Our staff recognizes the importance of research in order to learn about new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat gastroenterologic diseases. .

In addition to the above services, we are proud to offer both Remicade infusions and Humira injections within our clinic. By receiving Remicade infusions within our clinic rather than the hospital, patients reduce exposure to illness and disease. This service also offers the benefits of timeliness and convenience. In order to make the experience of receiving this treatment as pleasant as possible, our infusion room is equipped with a TV and comfortable reclining chairs.

Obesity is a serious health concern in children and adolescents. The prevalence of obesity is growing in all age groups. Children who are overweight are more likely to become obese adults. The following health risk factors are associated with childhood obesity: Cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, and Low self-esteem.

Early and appropriate intervention is valuable in decreasing the risks for the growing health concerns linked to childhood obesity. GI for Kids, PLLC has developed a four-month family based pediatric weight management program called Bee Fit 4 Kids to help overweight children and their families make better lifestyle and dietary choices. Please visit our website at www.BeeFit4Kids.com for more information.

Our practice also sponsors a support group, which was established by Dr. Al-Tawil, for those with Celiac disease. You may visit the group's website at www.celi-act.com. In addition, our registered dieticians now offer a diet class for newly diagnosed Celiac patients. For further information about the diet class, support group, or Celiac disease please see the information concerning Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance in the nutrition section of this website.

Dr. Al-Tawil has established a support group named KidsFACT for those patients with Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Please visit our website at KidsFACT.org for more information.

GI for Kids, PLLC has developed Allergy 4 Food, an online company that assists people who are having difficulty obtaining nutritional supplements from outside resources at a lower cost compared to pharmacies or retail stores. The products sold at Allergy 4 Food are appropriate for infants, children, and adults, supplied by the world’s leading producers of nutritional supplements. We use a reputable distributing company that ensures fast and efficient home delivery- right to your door! Orders can be processed within 24-48 hours and we accept most major credit cards. There is no need to ever drive around searching for formula again when you have access from the convenience of your home! If you have any questions, please visit our website, www.allergy4food.com, or call us at 865.456.1250.

Our office produces a quarterly newsletter for area physicians. Each issue features a different topic, including the related resources our clinic has to offer.

Our doctors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies that arise. We accommodate referrals, new patient consultations and second opinions. We follow our patients closely, and always communicate our advice to our patients' primary physicians.

Our office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, exclusive of holidays. We can be contacted at (865) 546-3998.

 

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