Meet the Moms of Dell Children’s Pediatric Urology

For a child, talking about going to the bathroom or having an exam can feel uncomfortable.

For a parent, learning that their child may need surgery or ongoing care can bring a completely different kind of worry.

The Dell Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Urology team understands both sides.

The growing team of six doctors cares for children with conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract, as well as conditions affecting male reproductive organs. Some conditions are found before a baby is born, while others are discovered during a routine checkup or after symptoms develop.

The doctors also have something else in common: They are all women, and they are all moms.

For Kelly Nast, MD, chief of pediatric urology at Dell Children’s, being a mom has given her another perspective on caring for children and supporting their families.

“I think, as my kids have gotten older, they have taught me more about how to speak with children,” Dr. Nast said.

Being a mom changes the conversation

Children are not simply smaller versions of adults. The way a doctor explains an exam or procedure to a toddler may be completely different from the conversation they have with a school-aged child or teenager.

Dr. Nast has seen that firsthand as her own children have grown.

Motherhood has helped her think more about the words she uses, how she approaches sensitive exams and how she can help children understand what is happening without making the experience more frightening or uncomfortable.

Being a mom helps her connect with parents who may be scared about what comes next.

“I have children. I understand your fear right now, and I can assure you I will be with your child during this,” Dr. Nast said.

That understanding extends across the pediatric urology team. The six doctors are moms at different stages of life, with children ranging from toddlers to college students.

“We are moms of all different stages, and I think that makes our group really special,” Dr. Nast said. “We learn from each other.”

Nationally ranked pediatric urology care in Austin

Along with a family-centered approach, the Dell Children’s pediatric urology team provides specialized care for both common and complex conditions.

The pediatric urology department at Dell Children’s is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

For Dr. Nast, that recognition reflects the level of care families can receive close to home.

“We can offer the same treatments, the same diagnostic studies and an unmatched level of care

here in Austin that you can get at any other major pediatric medical center,” Dr. Nast said.

The team treats a wide range of conditions, including undescended testicles, hypospadias, hydronephrosis, kidney stones, bladder concerns and conditions that require complex reconstruction. Depending on a child’s needs, treatment may include monitoring, medication, physical therapy or surgery.

Dell Children’s also gives families access to other pediatric specialties and services when needed. For children with spina bifida, for example, multiple specialists come together during the same clinic visit. Dr. Mary Wang, who leads urology care for the Spina Bifida program, says some children may see six to eight different members of their care team in one place.

The team’s expertise also includes minimally invasive surgery and specialized care for bladder and voiding concerns. Dr. Vani Menon, who is helping support the growth of pediatric urology services at Dell Children’s North Campus, has expertise in robotic surgery and is one of three pediatric surgeons at Dell Children’s who use robotic and other minimally invasive procedures.

Dr. Leslie McQuiston, director of Urodynamics and the Voiding Improvement Clinic, cares for toilet-trained children who may need additional support with bladder control, recurrent infections or staying dry during the day and night.

For families managing a complex or lifelong condition, that can mean fewer separate appointments and more coordinated care.

Building a team with depth and talent

The pediatric urology program recently grew with the addition of Dr. Andrea Balthazar and Dr. Hoang-kim Le, expanding the experience available to children and families.

Dr. Balthazar joined the team in February and brings a special interest in quality research and complex reconstruction, including care for children with cloacal conditions and spina bifida. Dr. Nast says that expertise fills an important need within the growing program.

Dr. Le joined the team in June, bringing seven years of experience along with a background in community urology and medical education. Her experience will also help support the program’s goals for future residency and fellowship training as medical education continues to grow in Austin.

Together, the new doctors bring additional experience to a team that is continuing to grow alongside the needs of Central Texas families.

But they also fit into something Dr. Nast believes makes the group special.

The doctors do more than work together. Their families spend time together outside of work, and they lean on one another as both doctors and moms. Dr. Nast believes that connection has created a close team and that families can feel it when they come to the clinic.

Urology care that grows with your child

Pediatric urology can begin before a child is even born and continue through childhood and adolescence.

Some children may need only an ultrasound and monitoring as they grow. Others may need surgery or ongoing care from several pediatric specialists. The team also offers more conservative approaches when appropriate, including access to pelvic floor physical therapy and other options for certain bladder and voiding concerns.

No matter what brings a family to Dell Children’s, the goal is to help parents understand their options and help children feel safe and supported along the way.

For this team of moms, that care comes with a perspective that reaches beyond medicine.

They know what it feels like to worry about a child.

They know how much trust it takes to place your child in someone else’s hands.

And they know what they would want if the patient were their own.

Learn more about the nationally ranked pediatric urology care at Dell Children’s.

Meet Dr. Kelly Nast

Meet Dr. Mary Wang

Meet Dr. Vani Menon

Meet Dr. Leslie McQuiston

Meet Dr. Andrea Balthazar

Meet Dr. Hoang-kim Le

This blog is intended for general informational use. Any health-related information shared is not meant to provide or replace professional medical advice and does not establish a patient-provider relationship. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.