05/30/07 - Institute, hospital bring clinical service to Chattanooga

Date: May 30, 2007

Siskin Children’s Institute and T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital Partner to Bring Much-Needed Clinical Service to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Siskin Children's Institute and T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital are teaming up to open the region’s only clinic with a full-time pediatrician who specializes in developmental
and behavioral disabilities.

As a much-needed resource in the medical community, parents will be able to bring their child to the clinic for assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment. Expectations are that some children will be referred by local pediatricians, while others may be referred from local school systems or community organizations.

The need for a full-time, public access clinic of this type in our area is strong. Before proper therapies or
other services can be provided to a child with a disability, an accurate diagnosis must be given by a
pediatrician; however, local general practice pediatricians currently do not have access to a full-time
developmental pediatrician with this specialized skill set and experience. And because of a recent increase
in the occurrence of disorders such as autism, there is a tremendous demand for specialty practices that
can diagnose and offer treatment for developmental and behavioral delays.

Many Chattanooga families are referred to specialized physicians in Nashville, Atlanta and Knoxville –
some even traveling to Boston and New York – just to receive a proper diagnosis for their child. Currently, the only other option is to schedule an appointment with a specialized pediatrician who travels to Chattanooga weekly to see patients at another local nonprofit agency.

“This unique partnership will allow more families to be treated here in Chattanooga, while also adding a
much needed qualified pediatric specialist in development and behavior to the T.C. Thompson
community,” said Susan O’Hare, senior vice president of specialty hospitals and services for the hospital.

The clinic also will provide local opportunities to advance research and educational opportunities focused
on children with special needs. The Siskin Children’s Institute Chair of Excellence at UTC, Dr. Tom
Buggey, will utilize the clinic to further research in the areas of autism and other disabilities.

“This also expands our ability to provide hands-on medical training for Erlanger Health System and the
UT College of Medicine,” said Dr. Marvin Hall, medical director for T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital.
Expectations are that the clinic will be in operation within 12-24 months and will provide additional
services such as occupational and physical therapy.

As part of the agreement between the two organizations, initial funding for the clinic will be shared. The clinic will be located at Siskin Children’s Institute at its 1101 Carter Street building; T.C. Thompson will recruit and hire a specialized developmental and behavioral pediatrician, as well as provide ancillary support services.

“We secured an initial donation of substantial size just this month and expect to raise the rest of the
necessary funds soon,” said Jerry Jensen, president of Siskin Children's Institute.

“This allows us to expand our services and be a comprehensive resource to children with disabilities, their families and the professionals who touch their lives,” he said. “The outstanding reputation and expertise of T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital bring a heightened level of credibility and professionalism in the field of
pediatrics to this initiative.”

T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital officials are currently securing an employment firm to conduct a
nationwide search for the clinic’s specialized pediatrician. Developmental and behavioral pediatricians
are somewhat rare, with only approximately 30 graduating from fellowship each year.

# #