RALEIGH (October 9, 2009) – Wake Radiology has expanded its pediatric radiology services with the opening of the Wake Radiology Pediatric Imaging Center in Raleigh. The new family-friendly office, located at 4301 Lake Boone Trail, is the only center of its kind in Raleigh.
Margaret Douglas MD, director of Pediatric Imaging at Wake Radiology Diagnostic Imaging, leads the team of four pediatric radiologists at the practice. She and her division are trained to review and interpret a variety of exams including X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine studies.
Pediatric radiologists have expertise in the medical imaging of children, from infants to adolescents. They have a medical degree, and have completed a diagnostic radiology residency and a pediatric radiology fellowship. They are certified by the American Board of Radiology and have a certificate of added qualifications in pediatric radiology. Pediatric radiologists work closely with pediatricians to select the imaging studies that will best diagnose medical and surgical problems in the young.
“We work with the referring physician to determine the most appropriate test for each child,” explained Dr. Douglas. “Our goal is to always use the lowest dose of radiation that will still give the results needed to make a diagnosis. If there is an alternative exam, such as ultrasound, that doesn’t require radiation and will give the same results, we often make that recommendation to the referring physician.
“We have been mindful of our mission in pediatric radiology, which is to care for the children we see the way we would want our own to be treated. Our goal is to reduce anxiety and help our patients and their families feel reassured, while collaborating with their clinicians to find the answers they need.”
Wake Radiology began its pediatric radiology program 15 years ago with the hiring of recently retired David F. Merton, MD, who was on site at WakeMed Raleigh Campus. The program expanded in 2000 when Dr. Douglas joined the staff. Three additional radiologists were hired this summer, making the Wake Radiology pediatric imaging program one of the largest in North Carolina. Brent A. Townsend, MD, of Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA, and Catherine B. Lerner, MD and Laura T. Meyer, MD, both from Duke University Medical Center, are all fellowship trained in pediatric radiology. They work at the new outpatient center and are also on staff at WakeMed.
“Having four dedicated pediatric radiologists is going to be an outstanding service for our community,” said J. Duncan Phillips, MD, pediatric surgeon and chair, Department of Surgery at WakeMed.
With the anticipated opening of WakeMed Children’s Hospital in 2010, Wake Radiology had the foresight to ramp up their program, according to Dr. Phillips. “All of these pediatric radiologists have trained at busy tertiary hospitals, so they bring a lot of experience from high-volume centers.”
The new office is designed to meet the needs of children and families. The center accepts patients from newborn to age 18 and offers X-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and nuclear medicine. The 2,300-square foot facility is designed with families in mind with children-friendly waiting and exam rooms, decorated with colorful murals. There are separate well-child and sick-child waiting rooms and family rooms which give parents a quiet spot where they can feed or change their children or speak privately with their radiologist.
About Wake Radiology
Wake Radiology proudly serves the Triangle area with 14 convenient locations and 59 board-certified radiologists with imaging subspecialties available at each location. We provide a wide array of radiology services coupled with the highest level of technical expertise and patient service in the area. For more information, visit the website at wakerad.ionainteractive.com. Appointments and referrals can be made by calling WR Express Scheduling at 919-232-4700.
Media Contact
Kim Parker
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