LAPLACE — Children’s Pediatrics, a new clinic expanding Children’s Hospital’s services to the River Parishes, celebrated its grand opening Saturday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.

Located at 2840 W. Airline Highway, Suite D in LaPlace, the new clinic opens its doors to patients from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Children’s Pediatrics offers primary care services, such as wellness check-ups and vaccinations to children from birth to 18 years of age under the direction of experienced pediatricians Dr. Joanna Buckingham, Dr. Mary Hulin and Dr. Isabel Remedios.

Walk-in appointments are available, and the clinic accepts all insurance.

The new LaPlace clinic forwards Children’s Hospital System’s goal to expand care to regions with the most need, according to Matt Groninger, vice president of ambulatory services.

“We don’t go into these expansions blind,” Groninger said.

“We have a good sense of the pediatric population, and we saw this was an area that has been underserved and could benefit from pediatric care services.”

Groninger said he has always had a passion for taking care of others, and he chose to work in children’s health care because of their innocence and inability to advocate for themselves.

Additionally, primary care services have a huge impact on a child’s well-being, Groninger said, noting preventive care can keep children healthy and out of the emergency room.

In the case that a child requires the opinion of a pediatric specialist, he or she can easily be referred to specialty care physicians within other branches of the Children’s Hospital System.

Groninger encourages parents to visit Children’s Pediatrics and use the clinic as a resource for their children.

“The space is beautiful, but better yet, we have three well-trained physicians passionate about helping children,” Groninger said. “We look forward to being a great asset in LaPlace, and we hope to have a positive impact on the health of children in the community.”

To learn more about the new Children’s Pediatrics clinic or schedule an appointment, call the office at 985-479-7300.

— By Brooke Robichaux