Why choose Cook Children’s REACH (lipid) clinic
At the Risk Evaluation to Achieve Cardiovascular Health (REACH) Clinic, we care for children with genetic conditions that affect their blood fat (lipid) levels. We know you want your child to grow up healthy and strong — we do, too. That's why we evaluate children early to help prevent cardiovascular problems later in life.
Genetic lipid disorders are inherited conditions that affect cholesterol and blood fat levels. Changes in genes cause problems with the way your child's body makes, uses, stores and removes cholesterol and other fats. For example, children may have very high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol or very high triglycerides (blood fats).
Without treatment, genetic lipid disorders can lead to complications like heart disease later in life. Thankfully, with timely treatment, we can often prevent these problems.
What you can expect
At Cook Children's, we’re committed to improving your child's health and well-being. We offer comprehensive care, always treating your child and family with kindness and compassion. When you come to the REACH Clinic, you can expect:
Our clinic is one of only a few pediatric lipid clinics nationwide. As one of the country's leading lipid clinics, we consult with other physicians, accept complex referrals and set standards of care.
We bring together endocrinologists, dietitians, clinical therapists and social workers in one convenient setting. Our nurse coordinators offer additional support to prepare and educate your family, while child life specialists help reduce your children’s anxiety during clinic visits and procedures.
We offer age-appropriate treatments to help your child grow and develop while preventing cardiovascular disease when your child becomes an adult.
We strive to make it as easy as possible for your child to get the treatment they need. Our specialists offer care in multiple locations, including through telemedicine. This option is beneficial for children who live far away or have physical challenges that make travel difficult. We also have certified Spanish translators on-site, with accessible interpretation for other languages available.
Your child receives care from experts who work to advance pediatric treatment. Our participation in research and clinical trials means your child may have access to promising new therapies that aren't widely available.
Your specialized care team
Our team includes specialists, researchers, case workers and more.
- Corrie Andrews, LPC, Clinical Therapist
- Luke Hamilton, Research Project Manager
- Jose Lopez, Assistant Research Scientist
- Cris Hinojosa, LMSW, Social Services
- Kasey Lewis, RD, Nutrition
- Melissa Scarcelli, RN
- Brenda Sonnier, Child Life Specialist
- Ana Tovar, Spanish Interpreter
- Nathan Chacon, Spanish Interpreter
- Amelia Vinson, RN, REACH Coordinator
Advancing genetic lipid disorders care
Our team provides a full range of services for children with inherited lipid problems. Care may include:
Your child gets blood tests to check their lipid levels. Specialized blood tests also assess thyroid, liver and kidney function to rule out other causes of lipid problems.
We help your family understand your child’s diagnosis and how to reduce their risk factors. You learn about heart-healthy eating, exercise and the risks of smoking through educational sessions with our dietitian.
Some children benefit from medications to control their cholesterol or lipids.
You can expect your child's first visit to last at least two hours. You and your child meet with several specialists, including the endocrinologist, dietitian and social worker, if needed. During this visit, we:
- Discuss your family history
- Review your child's medical history
- Recommend next steps for treatment, including lifestyle changes you can start now
Most children have follow-up visits twice a year. We evaluate your child's health and continue or adjust their treatment plan as needed.
Cook Children’s is home to some of the top minds in clinical research and advancement. Our physicians participate in research and clinical trials to bring your child the latest leading-edge approaches.
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