Adolescent Medicine | Clinical Activities

The Adolescent Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital is an outpatient resource designed to assist health care providers in the prompt assessment and care of adolescent patients. The Adolescent Center offers consultative services to patients between the ages of 12 and 21 years of age. Patients may be seen in offices either at St. Louis Children's Hospital or at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

The Adolescent Center provides evaluation and treatment for an array of problems that can affect teens, including:

• reproductive health care, including menstrual problems, family planning, sexually transmitted diseases, issues of sexual identity and Pap tests
• issues of weight management including eating disorders
• medical problems associated with adolescence, including management, coping and compliance issues
• wellness promotion and preventive services
• substance abuse, including tobacco, drugs and alcohol
• personal, family and school problems

To initiate a referral or to discuss concerns, patients, referring physicians or their staff can contact

• Katie Plax, M.D., Director Adolescent Center
• Beeper Rauckman, R.N., B.S.N., Director of Clinical Operations

Adolescent Center patients are seen by appointment only. After the appointment is scheduled, the patient and family will receive information and a reminder call about their upcoming visit. Patients are seen on Mondays at Missouri Baptist and on Tuesdays through Fridays at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Timely communication between the referring physician and the Adolescent Center is a priority. Following a comprehensive evaluation of the patient, Adolescent Center physicians will provide referring health care providers with a detailed assessment and treatment plan. An inclusive report summarizing diagnoses, tests, initial therapeutic recommendations and a long-term treatment plan will be mailed immediately. Our social worker and dietitian may also participate in the patients' treatment plan. After treatment is underway, the patients return to the primary care provider for continuing care.

St. Louis Children's Hospital is conveniently located in the heart of St. Louis at the intersection of Children's Place and Kingshighway Blvd. Patients who wish to be seen in west county will find our Missouri Baptist location convenient. We look forward to helping you care for your adolescent.