Spina Bifida

As a Spina Bifida Association Clinic Care Partner Program Clinic, we are one of 36 clinics across the US that achieved this designation by meeting 10 standards reflecting best practices. We have a dedicated team of health care professionals who partner with those living with spina bifida and their families to provide expert care to optimize function and quality of life.

Gillette is one of 22 sites participating in the CDC-funded National Spina Bifida Patient Registry. The registry collects information about children and adults with spina bifida including demographics, interventions, and outcomes. It is anticipated that collecting this information will lead to an improved understanding of best practices for those with spina bifida.

Learn more about spina bifida research at Gillette.

Gillette serves people with spina bifida throughout the life span, from birth through adulthood. At the appropriate time for each individual, we transition them from receiving care through the Pediatric Spina Bifida Coordinated Clinic to seeing adult providers at our Phalen Adult Clinic. We partner with the primary care provider of the person with spina bifida to facilitate effective communication and optimal care.

We are also participants in Cohort Two of the American Academy of Pediatrics transition from pediatric to adult centered care for youth living with spina bifida quality improvement project.  

Our program allows patients and families to see any or all of our specialists during one visit. Appointments can last up to two hours so please bring snacks and activities from home in case you need to wait between specialists.

Many patients will need x-rays, diagnostic imaging, and/or lab work before their clinic visit. Our care team will let you know what your child may need and help to schedule this before your visit.

We offer continued support and follow-ups that vary from every 3 months, every 6 months or annually depending on your child’s age and/or specific needs. We also help with transitioning our patients to our adult spina bifida care team when appropriate, often after age 18.