Austin’s medical home for kids’ complex care

When families are caring for a child with complex medical needs, healthcare can quickly become overwhelming. Multiple specialists, countless appointments and repeating the same story again and again can take a toll, not just on the child, but on the entire family.

At Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) was created to change that experience.

Led by Rahel Berhane, MD, medical director of the clinic, the CCC serves as a true medical home for children who need advanced care, bringing communication and compassion together in one place.

Building a program for advanced care

In 2012, Dr. Berhane partnered with Ascension Texas leadership to launch the CCC, one of only a small number of programs nationwide dedicated to pediatric complex care.

From its earliest days in a shared space to its current 18,000-square-foot, purpose-built clinic, the CCC has grown with families at the center of every decision.

Today, the clinic serves as the medical home for approximately 900 children across Central Texas. The care team includes pediatricians, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, care coordinators and support staff, all working together to simplify care and reduce stress for families.

The clinic’s North Austin location, which opened in 2022, was intentionally designed with guidance from families and clinicians. Spacious exam rooms support wheelchairs, medical equipment and larger care teams, while sensory-friendly features help children with autism and sensory sensitivities feel more comfortable. The physical space sets the tone for what defines the clinic most: a thoughtful, family-centered approach to care.

A pediatric program shaped by listening to families

As a pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Berhane cared for many children whose digestive conditions were only one part of a much larger medical picture. She saw families navigating a fragmented system with no single care team overseeing the whole child.

“They were going from specialist to specialist, with no one who really knew their full story or followed them over time,” she said.

That gap in care became impossible to ignore and deeply personal. As a parent of a child with significant medical challenges, Dr. Berhane experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to coordinate care, even with medical training.

Those experiences shaped her belief that children with complex needs and their families deserve coordinated, relationship-based care that looks beyond diagnoses.

Support for the whole family

A highlight of the program is the Whole Child Visit, a 90-minute appointment held every six months. During this visit, families meet with their child’s primary care provider and care team to review medical needs, goals and daily life challenges, all in one setting.

These visits help reduce unnecessary appointments, improve communication across specialties and create space to talk about what matters most to families. Social workers support conversations around resources, financial concerns and caregiver well-being, while care coordinators help families plan ahead.

Beyond clinic visits, the CCC fosters community through family gatherings and partnerships with Child Life specialists, including camps and support opportunities for siblings.

“Caring for a child with medical complexity can be overwhelming,” Dr. Berhane said. “Supporting the entire family isn’t optional. It’s essential.”

A place your family can grow with care

The CCC continues to evolve, with a focus on improving access to home health services, short-term care and long-term support, so families can spend less time navigating healthcare and more time being together. For families who need more than traditional pediatric care, the CCC offers something powerful: consistency, coordination and a team that truly knows their child. 

If your child has complex medical needs and you’re looking for coordinated, compassionate care, Dell Children’s Comprehensive Care Clinic is here for you. Learn more about our services or ask your child’s pediatrician about a referral to the clinic today.