For the past 16 years, Bruce Buehler, M.D., has been making house calls across Nebraska, examining pediatric patients with special needs. Dr. Buehler is director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation and chairman of pediatrics at UNMC. The Munroe-Meyer Institute is dedicated to research and treatment that benefits children and adults with developmental disabilities.
In addition to Dr. Buehler, other UNMC health-care professionals travel throughout the state during the year to conduct genetic counseling sessions. The sessions are part of a program to limit birth defects in Nebraska.
Four times a year, Dr. Buehler travels to Scottsbluff, North Platte, Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings. He treats nearly 100 patients during the week-long trips.
“At each stop, people are appreciative that we’re there,” Dr. Buehler said. “They appreciate the help.”
Among those appreciative people is a couple from central Nebraska who are glad to have the UNMC service because it provides access to the best care for their young son.
The boy suffers from a brain abnormality. His mother said Dr. Buehler’s approach to caring for her son is refreshing. He mixes candor with compassion, she said, adding that she also appreciates not having to drive to Omaha every time the boy needs care.
During a recent visit, Dr. Buehler examined the boy. His parents were concerned about a pending operation scheduled for him.
“What can we do to help you?” Dr. Buehler asked.
“Information,” the boy’s mother said. “We’d like to know as much as we can.”
Dr. Buehler encouraged the parents to work on their son’s field of vision by placing objects in front of him and making him work to get them. They also talked about the possibility of fitting the boy with a special helmet that would help remedy the effects of his brain disorder.
During the examination, the boy’s pediatrician stopped by to consult with Dr. Buehler. The pediatrician said physicians such as he, Dr. Buehler, UNMC and rural clinics make a good team.
“I think this is a worthwhile endeavor,” he said. “The patients are the real beneficiary.”
The pediatrician listed three benefits of this coordinated approach to providing care for children with handicapping conditions:
- Parents’ concerns are addressed by a team of caring health professionals.
- Busy parents can seek specialty care without having to travel hundreds of miles.
- Health-care professionals receive a dose of continuing education.
Dr. Buehler said the benefits of UNMC’s relationship with physicians throughout the state goes far beyond increased patient numbers. UNMC gets to do what it does best — offer quality care throughout Nebraska and help health-care professionals provide that care.
Other UNMC genetic counseling clinics will be held at the following sites later this year:
- BEATRICE — State Development Center — Oct. 7.
- GRAND ISLAND — St. Francis Home Health Care — Sept. 17, Dec. 10.
- HASTINGS — Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital — Sept. 18, Dec. 11.
- KEARNEY — Kearney Clinic — Sept. 16, Dec. 9.
- NORFOLK — Faith Regional Health Services (Lutheran Campus) — Aug. 30, Nov. 12.
- NORTH PLATTE — Great Plains Regional Medical Center — Sept. 15, Dec. 8.
- SCOTTSBLUFF — Regional West Medical Center (South Unit) — Sept. 13, Dec. 6.
- VALENTINE — Cherry County Hospital — July 7, Oct. TBA.
- WINNEBAGO — Winnebago Public Health Service Hospital — Aug. 21, Nov. 20.