Mercy Children's Hospital

Your Child’s Hospital Team

At Mercy Children’s Hospital, physicians and nurses as well as many other health professionals will be involved in your child’s care. Support staff includes child life specialists, social workers, respiratory therapists, dietitians, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapists. Chaplains and patient representatives will visit upon a family’s request. The physician who admits your child is responsible for directing his or her care while he or she is in the hospital. The admitting physician should be consulted if you have questions about your child’s care. Mercy  Children’s Hospital is a teaching site for the Medical University of Ohio and a number of area nursing schools. In addition to your child’s admitting physician, you may also meet medical students and residents who are receiving their pediatric training at Mercy Children’s Hospital. Specialists from a variety of medical disciplines may see your child.

Physicians and their area of specialty:
Cardiologist - heart

Endocrinologist - thyroid, pancreas

Gastroenterologist - stomach, bowel, liver, spleen

Hematologist/Oncologist - blood, cancer

Hospitalist-  cares for hospitalized patients only

Infectious Disease  - treats infectious diseases

Intensivist - intensive or critical care

Nephrologist - kidneys

Neonatologist -  premature, low-birthweight and sick newborns

Neurologist - brain and nervous system

Neurosurgeon - brain surgery

Orthopedist - bones

Pediatric Surgeon - surgery on children

Pulmonologist -lungs, airway

Physical Medicine & Rehab - rehabilitation

Resident - a licensed physician taking specialized training

Other Health Professionals:

Child Life Specialist - provides therapeutic play and activities for patients; supervises the playroom

Dietitian - nutrition and nutrition education

Health Unit Coordinator - clerical support to the medical professionals

Respiratory Therapist - manages ventilator (breathing machine), oxygen therapy

Registered Nurse - daily bedside care

Nursing Case Manager - works with patients and families to help deal with long-term illness, early intervention, or other issues

Nurse Manager - head nurse or nurse in charge of the unit

Nurse Practitioner - requires additional training and certification to work with the physician in an advanced role to provide medical care

Palliative Care Nurse - works with seriously, chronically, or terminally ill children and their families and supports them in care decisions

Pastoral Care - spriritual support to families

Physical Therapy - therapy to maintain or restore the ability to move and function, teaches patients and families how to perform exercises, adjust activities

Outcomes Manager - works with insurance companies and others to arrange for care after discharge

Social Worker - counsels families with financial or social difficulties, intervenes in crisis situations, helps families find services