How can my child see a specialist at Children’s Specialty Services?
If your child has an illness or condition that is appropriate for treatment by our rotating staff of specialists, ask your child’s physician for a referral. For more information about Children’s Specialty Services, please call us at (706) 389-2800.

If my child needs to be admitted to the hospital, when can I visit?
Parents and guardians are welcome 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We encourage one parent to “room in” with your child to increase your child’s comfort and ease your anxiety. We even provide a complementary meal at mealtimes for you if you want to stay with your child. Other adults can visit between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Siblings and other children under the age of 14 should visit only with permission from your child’s physician and the nursing staff. Family members may not accompany children into surgery, but may stay with their child before surgery and during post-anesthesia recovery.

What services do you have to promote healthy lifestyles in children?
Children can stay strong and healthy or fight obesity and its related health problems in a fun, safe environment at St. Mary’s Wellness Center. Kids ages 6-12 can enroll in the Wellness Center’s Youth Fit for Life program, which provides regular workouts under the supervision of a trained exercise specialist to manage their weight, improve their cardiovascular health, build strong muscles and bones, and learn healthy nutritional habits. Teens age 13 and up can join the Wellness Center and have full access to equipment, classes and member services. Call (706) 389-3355 for information or visit our class listings.

Do you have a special rehab program for children?
St. Mary’s offers an innovative outpatient rehabilitation program specifically geared to the needs of children. St. Mary’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Program is staffed by physical, occupational and speech-language therapists who have special credentials and experience in pediatric care. Therapy is often useful for children with developmental delays, orthopedic and neurological disorders, and birth defects, as well as for those recovering from injuries or surgery. Services are provided at St. Mary’s Outpatient Diagnostic, Rehab and Wellness Center at The Exchange, 2470 Daniells Bridge Road, just off Ga. 316 near the Athens Perimeter. St. Mary’s Pediatric Rehab also includes a fun and innovative trapeze therapy program in conjunction with Canopy Studios in Athens, using low-altitude trapeze work to improve strength, coordination, balance and social skills. For information, call (706) 389-2950.

Who was Clute Barrow Nelson?
Clute Barrow Nelson was a happy, normal boy, the first child of Don and Phyllis Nelson of Athens, when he began having serious health problems. Physicians found an inoperable tumor in his brain, leading to an 16-month fight to save his life that took him and his family to numerous hospitals, clinics and facilities across the nation. His courage and unshakable compassion for those around him touched all of Northeast Georgia. Clute eventually lost his fight, dying peacefully at age 6, but not before inspiring many, including hundreds of friends at St. Mary’s, to work even harder on behalf of children like him. His family – Don, Phyllis and brother Arthur – kindly granted St. Mary’s permission to name our pediatric services in his honor, in the hope that medical services for children in the Athens area can be enhanced and save other families some of the hardship and worry they and Clute endured.