Gillette Children’s is proud to announce the launch of their new Down Syndrome Clinic. This clinic, staffed by Complex Care providers Tori Bahr, MD, Heidi Davis, NP, Peter Ladner, MD, and Uyen Truong, MD, in collaboration with the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota (DSAMn), is now scheduling collaborative, multidisciplinary care appointments for Down syndrome patients beginning at birth. 

Meeting a Critical Need: Despite a steady number of children born with Down syndrome in Minnesota and western Wisconsin each year, local care options have been limited for children with Down syndrome as they age into adulthood. The new clinic addresses the need for more comprehensive and intentional support in medical care planning and community resources from birth to transitioning to adulthood. Our partnership with DSAMN enhances our ability to provide this support. 

Why Refer Patients to Gillette: 

• Comprehensive Care: Gillette Children’s is a regional leader in comprehensive care of genetic syndromes, offering extensive medical, surgical, and rehabilitation services. 
• Expanded Age Range: Appointments available from birth to age 25. 
• Dedicated Support: A registered nurse care manager oversees all Gillette care needs and appointments for individuals with Down syndrome. 
• Embedded DSAMN: The Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota is integrated into our clinic, attending appointments alongside our providers to connect patients and families to their community and resources. 
• Quick Care Clinic: Available M-F for acute illness in established Gillette patients, staffed by pediatric complex care providers. 
• Transition Support: Assistance with the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. 

Common Healthcare Needs for Individuals with Down Syndrome: Individuals with Down syndrome often have specific healthcare needs that require regular monitoring and specialized care. Gillette provides care for common Down syndrome concerns like: 

• Hearing and Speech: Regular auditory exams are necessary, and Gillette provides speech therapy both in person and virtually. 
• Sleep Apnea: Gillette offers sleep studies as well as appropriate interventions, such as ENT evaluation, CPAP therapy or Inspire (hypoglossal nerve stimulator) devices. 
• Acute Illness Concerns: Increased susceptibility to infections necessitates vigilant healthcare. The Gillette Quick Care Clinic ensures minor health concerns don’t become severe due to the complexities of Down syndrome. 
• Joint Laxity and Hypotonia: Manifesting in many ways, our orthopedic, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) and neurosurgery teams provide comprehensive care to address the musculoskeletal and atlanto-axial concerns that can arise. 
• Developmental Support: Our team is ready to provide early gross motor intervention programs and ongoing support for physical developmental challenges. 

The successful launch of this clinic represents a significant enhancement in the support and care available to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.  

Collaborate with Us 

We would be delighted to collaborate with you on a complex case involving Down syndrome. Here are the steps to get started: 

1. Contact Us: Reach out to Gillette directly. You can call us at 651-325-2200 or send us a referral at gillettechildrens.org/referral. Provide a brief overview of the case and your patient’s specific concerns or needs. 
2. Case Review: Our team, including Complex Care providers and specialists, will review the case details. This may involve gathering medical records, previous assessments, and any other relevant information. 
3. Appointment: We will schedule an appointment with your patient to discuss their concerns and goals in detail. From there, we will develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care plan tailored to your patient’s needs. This plan will include input from various specialists such as ENT, sleep medicine, DSAMN, and more. 
4. Ongoing Communication: Our registered nurse care manager will coordinate all aspects of the patient’s care and keep you updated on progress and any relevant adjustments to the care plan. Our providers are interested in collaborating with PCPs when issues arise to co-create a treatment plan. 
5. Follow-Up: Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your patient’s progress and make any necessary changes to the care plan. 

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. We look forward to working with you to provide the best possible care for your patient.