A smiling caregiver holding a baby receiving support for complex medical needs at UTMB Health.

Pediatric Complex Care

Navigating complex needs, together

Complex Care Services for Children

Pediatric Complex Care at UTMB provides compassionate, personalized support for children with complex medical needs, ensuring families never have to navigate this journey alone. Our expert team coordinates care across specialists, therapies, and services, focusing on what matters most—your child’s health, quality of life, and a seamless care experience.

  Your Care Team

La Forte, Suzanne
Suzanne La Forte, MD
Suzanne La Forte, MD
Pediatrics
Gerik, Susan, MD
Susan Gerik, MD
Susan Gerik, MD
Pediatrics
Robinson, Sally, MD
Sally Robinson, MD
Sally Robinson, MD
Pediatrics
Suggs, Meredith
Meredith Suggs, MD
Meredith Suggs, MD
Pediatrics | Complex Care
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Referral Requirement for Appointments

A referral from your child’s primary care provider or specialist is required to schedule an appointment. If you believe our clinic can assist your family, please talk with your child’s doctor. For questions or to schedule, call (409) 772-2331.

Physicians can refer patients by completing our Referral Form online.

 Services Offered

We work closely with your child’s primary care provider and other specialists to coordinate a seamless care experience. From hospital visits to outpatient clinics to community resources, we help bridge the gaps, reduce complications, and ensure your family has the tools and knowledge to advocate for your child.

Care Coordination

Comprehensive Evaluations

Diagnostic Workups

Chronic Condition Management

Referrals to Specialists and Resources

Anticipatory Guidance and Home Management Education
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 Conditions We Help

Pediatric Complex Care supports families navigating the challenges of managing complex medical needs. While we don’t provide direct treatment for every condition, we play a vital role in coordinating care with specialists and services to ensure your child receives comprehensive support tailored to their needs.

Birth Defects

Developmental Delays

Failure to Thrive

Genetic and Metabolic Syndromes

Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Disabilities

Prematurity

Seizure and Neurological Disorders

Baby with down sydrome enjoying outdoor play

  Additional Resources

 Preparing for Your In-Person Appointment

Prepare for your in-person appointment with these important tips to ensure your visit is as smooth and productive as possible.

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  • Arrival Time & Appointment Length

    New Patients

    • We ask that new patients arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment time. Your first visit may last 2 or more hours, depending on the purpose of the visit. During this time, your child will meet with multiple specialists to gain a full understanding of your child’s and family’s needs. While we do our best to schedule evaluations back-to-back, brief waits may occur. After each evaluation, our team collaborates to create a personalized plan that supports your child and family.

    Returning Patients

    • For follow-up visits, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. Depending on the number of specialists your child needs to see, follow-up appointments usually last 1 to 2 hours.

  • What to Bring
    • Medications: Please bring a bag with all of your child’s medications in their original bottles.
    • Contact Information: Please bring the names and phone numbers for key medical contacts, including your child’s pediatrician and any nursing or supply companies.
    • Supplies: Pack enough supplies for the 2-hour visit, such as diapers, wipes, formula/snacks, and a few favorite toys to keep your child occupied.
    • For Feeding Concerns: If weight gain or eating is a concern, bring your child’s preferred bottle, sippy cup, utensils, food, and formula or milk. Please avoid giving food or drink to your child 1–2 hours before the appointment, as we may need to observe feeding activities.
    • For Seating Clinic Visits: If discussing wheelchair needs, please bring your child and their wheelchair or device to the appointment.

 Preparing for Your Telehealth Appointment

For Telehealth appointments, the patient must be present and on camera during the visit. This is essential to ensure we can provide the highest quality care and address the patient’s specific needs. While we believe in the value of in-person visits to provide the best care, telehealth appointments are available primarily for follow-ups and established patients. This approach helps maintain expert care while offering convenience when appropriate. Telehealth visits are conducted via phone or video chat and typically last about 30 minutes.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at (409) 772-2331.

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  • Before Your Telehealth Appointment

    The platform for your appointment will be communicated to you in advance, along with instructions on how to access it. To ensure the best experience, please take a moment to review the instructions provided and, if applicable, test your setup beforehand to make sure everything is working properly. If possible, consider having a second person available to assist with managing the phone or camera during the session.

    To access your child’s After Visit Summary and follow-up instructions, we recommend using MyChart:

  • After Your Telehealth Appointment

    Once your Telehealth visit is complete, our office will call you to schedule your child’s next appointment. For your convenience, the After Visit Summary will be available in MyChart, and a printed copy, along with any additional materials, will be mailed to the address we have on file.

    We look forward to continuing to support your child’s health and development, whether in person or through telehealth when appropriate.

 Frequently Asked Questions.

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  • Why is my child coming to the Pediatric Complex Care Clinic?
    Your child’s doctor identified health concerns that need additional testing or support, leading to your referral to our clinic. Our team, which includes doctors, therapists, a nurse practitioner, a nutritionist, a teacher, and a social worker, will assess your child’s growth and development to determine the best care plan. This may involve referrals to other therapy services or specialists. Our goal is to support your child in reaching their full potential.
  • What should I expect during our appointment?
    Initial appointments typically last over 2 hours, with follow-ups ranging from 1–2 hours. Your child will meet with several team members to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their needs. While we strive to schedule evaluations back-to-back, brief waits may occur. After each evaluation, our team collaborates to tailor a care plan that best supports your child and family.
  • Do I need a referral to be seen at the Pediatric Complex Care Clinic?
    Yes, a referral from your child’s primary care provider (PCP) is required to schedule an appointment at the Pediatric Complex Care Clinic. Your PCP plays an essential role in coordinating your child’s overall care, and their referral ensures we have the necessary information to provide the best possible support for your child’s unique needs. If you believe your child would benefit from our services, please discuss a referral with your PCP.
  • What happens when a child is ready to be discharged from the Pediatric Complex Care Program?
    After a child’s health is stable, the Complex Care Team will help the family move the child’s care back to their main doctor (PCP). Kids usually stay in our program until they turn 21, then they stop using our regular clinic services. However, adults who need help with mobility equipment can still come to us for that, but their main medical care will be handled by their PCP. While in our Pediatric Complex Care Program, children should keep up with regular check-ups and visit their PCP when they’re sick.

For Referring Providers

Physicians can refer patients by completing our Online Referral Form.

We accept referrals for neurodevelopmental conditions, including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and prematurity-related issues (e.g., dysphagia, G-tube care). While we diagnose autism, it is not our primary focus, and additional referrals may be recommended. Full developmental evaluations for children over six are provided as needed, with screenings available to guide care. We address behavioral challenges but do not offer full psychiatry evaluations.

For referrals or questions, call (409) 772-2331. Patients transition to adult care between ages 18–21.

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  Our Locations

Pediatric Complex Care, Bay Colony
Pediatric Complex Care, Clear Lake Campus
Pediatric Complex Care, PCP Galveston
Pediatric Special Services, UHC Galveston

Contacts & Resources

Important Numbers

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Patient Resources

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