Specialty Clinics

The Specialty Clinics at UP Health System provide services to infants, children, adolescents, and some adults with medically complex conditions. Our mission is to provide the highest quality service to patients and families with special needs and to be a local resource for healthcare providers throughout the region. We accomplish this goal by utilizing the expertise of local providers as well as bringing subspecialty experts from other institutions to UP Health System to provide outstanding services close to home.

The clinics are designed for subspecialty physicians and local team members to provide multidisciplinary assessments. We encourage patients and their families to participate in the treatment planning by allowing opportunities to ask questions and discuss concerns with each team member. UP Health System is an approved Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) facility for both inpatient and outpatient pediatric services.

Phone: 906.449.4880 or 1.800.562.9753 ext. 4880

About Your Appointment

The Specialty Clinics are designed to provide a multidisciplinary assessment specific to the child's health condition. The child will be assessed on the day of the clinic by several health care professionals who will lend their expertise in developing a plan of care. After assessing the child, these professionals will talk with each other about developing goals related to the child's health care problems. Recommendations will be made for services to help meet those goals.

A clinic appointment can take between 1½ to 3 hours to complete, depending on how many clinic team members the child has been scheduled to see. It is recommended that parents plan to arrange childcare for other children in the family so they can focus on and assist with their child's assessment. Recommendations will be made on the day of the clinic. If follow-up appointments are recommended, parents will receive a letter, or phone call, about one month before the appointment is due, asking them to call and schedule an appointment time.

Because our physicians are here on a limited basis, it is important for you to keep your scheduled appointment. Please contact us in advance if you are not able to keep your appointment so that someone on a waiting list can be seen in your slot. We will make every attempt to reschedule you in a timely manner, however, you may not be able to get another appointment for 2-6 months, depending on the specialty.

Consent to Treat Minor Without Parent/Guardian Present Form

For appointments or information, call 906.449.4880 or 1.800.562.9753 ext. 4880.

Clinic Location

UP Health System - Marquette
850 W. Baraga Ave. Ste. 31
Marquette, MI 49855
906.449.4880

For Healthcare Providers

A referral to the Specialty Clinics at UP Health System – Marquette can be made by calling the clinic at 800.562.9753 ext. 4880 or 906.449.4880, Faxing: 906.449.1815, or by completing the Specialty Clinic Referral form. The form is designed to identify the pertinent information needed to process the referral efficiently and to be sure that your patient is evaluated by the clinic that best meets your needs. Please see the attached forms below.

Fax Referral
Fax a copy of your records with the patient's demographic information, diagnosis if available, and a brief letter or office note describing the reason for the referral. Our staff will contact the family to schedule the appointment.
The clinic fax number is 906.449.1815.

Mail Referral
Mail the referral as mentioned above information to UP Health System – Marquette Specialty Clinic, 850 West Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855. We will contact the family to schedule the appointment. If you have any questions, please contact our referral coordinator at 906.449.3951. We appreciate your referrals and will assist you in any way we can.

Types of Specialty Clinics

Clinic Schedule

Blueprint 4 Health Center
Our Child and Adolescent Weight Management program serves children and adolescents, up to 18 years old, with a BMI greater than the 85^th percentile. Our clinic provides a multidisciplinary medical approach to weight-loss. During your visit, a team consisting of a physician, social worker, registered dietitian and exercise specialist will provide you with a nutrition plan, an exercise program customized to your interests and motivational coaching under the direction of a physician.

Our clinic utilizes a BIA body composition scale for children 10 years and older. This is a very specialized scale that gives our team some important information. A report is generated that analyzes your entire body composition and provides a percentage of Total Body Water, Dry Lean Mass, Skeletal Muscle Mass and Fat. Weight loss in children and adolescents is difficult to measure because they are still actively growing. In order to get a true picture of the changes going on within the body, our team can see the percentage of body fat decreasing and the lean body mass and skeletal muscles mass percentage increasing. A regular scale may only show that you lost a few pounds, which can be discouraging when you are working hard dieting and exercising, but the BIA scale will tell a different story. One reason we rely on the BIA report is becausemuscle mass weighs more than fat. Seeing these changes on paper can be very encouraging.

Local Physicians
Dr. John Bartlett
Dr. Erica Griffin
Dr. Kaitlyn Joyce
Cardiology Clinic
Within the Cardiology Clinic, a group of physicians from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center provide consultation and follow-up to both children and adults with congenital heart defects and other cardiac problems, such as murmurs, arrhythmias, syncope, cardiomyopathy, and other heart problems. An EKG and/or echocardiogram may be performed during the evaluation. Dr. James Reinhart is available for weekly clinics.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan C.S. Motts Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Center
Dr. James Reinhart
Dr. Timothy Cotts
Dr. David Bradley
Dr. Thor Thorsson
Developmental Clinic
The goal of the Developmental Clinic is to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluations for children and youth experiencing developmental delays. This often includes children and youth felt to be on the autism spectrum. Evaluations are performed by a team of providers including pediatricians, occupational and physical therapists, and speech and language pathologists. An evaluation at the Developmental Clinic will lead to a better understanding of your child’s problems and help identify their strengths.

We are a Blue Cross Blue Shield Approved Autism Evaluation Center (AAEC). If autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) testing is needed, we will arrange it through UP Health System – Marquette Behavioral Health Services in a separate appointment.

Local Pediatrician
Dr. G. Michael Nidiffer

Michigan Medicine | Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Dr. Megan Burke
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the term used to describe a condition with a variety of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can be characterized by various combinations of growth deficiency, specific types of physical findings, and behavioral and learning problems with possible lifelong implications. By identifying specific strengths and problem areas, an FASD evaluation can lead to a better understanding so that effective educational, behavioral and medical strategies can be developed.

Local Providers
Dr. G. Michael Nidiffer, Pediatrician
Karl Hill, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist

FASD New Patient Information Form

Release of Information Forms:
FASD Doctor's Office
FASD School/Early On
FASD Psychological
FASD Birth Hospital
Pediatric Genetics Clinic
The University of Michigan Division of Pediatric Genetics, Metabolism and Genomic Medicine provides evaluation for infants, children and adolescents with suspected genetic disorders. During the clinic visit, a detailed family health history is obtained, and an examination is performed by a physician who specializes in genetic disorders (medical geneticist) who will determine if any lab tests or other studies are needed to help find a diagnosis. You will also meet with a genetics counselor. Ongoing consultation is provided when needed.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Division of Pediatric Genetics, Metabolism and Genomic Medicine
Dr. Ayesha Ahmad
Dr. Donna Martin
Dr. Catherine Keegan
Dr. Shane Quinonez
Dr. Mark Hannibal
Dr. Kristen Lee
Dr. Amanda Pritchard
Hemophilia Clinic
Children and adults attend Hemophilia Clinic for comprehensive evaluation and management of hemophilia disorders. The clinic is staffed by a team from Michigan State University and local providers. Patients and their families will have the opportunity to meet with a nurse educational coordinator (MSU), physician, social worker, dietitian, dental hygienist, psychologist, physical therapist, and nurse (local) during the visit. Lab work is ordered and reviewed as necessary.

Michigan State University Center of Bleeding and Clotting Disorders
Dr. Laura Agresta
Dr. David Cervi
Dr. Renaka Gera
Dr. Shawn Jobe

Adult Providers
Dr. Craig Cole
Jennifer Ford, NP
NICU Developmental Assessment Clinic
Some NICU graduates are at higher risk for developmental delays due to pre or postnatal difficulties, prematurity, extreme low birth weight or neonatal abstinence syndrome. Our clinic provides ongoing milestone monitoring and testing from age three months (adjusted age) to two years as well as assessments for growth, nutrition and family support systems. We serve UPHS – Marquette’s NICU graduates as well as referred patients from other NICUs in Michigan or Wisconsin so that developmental surveillance can continue closer to home for residents of the Upper Peninsula. Early intervention and connecting you to the right resources within your community are important to ensure your child does not fall behind in their development.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Rehabilitation Medicine
Dr. Jessica Pruente
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic
This clinic specializes in providing consultations for certain high-risk pregnancies that would benefit from an evaluation by a physician that specializes in this area. Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic provides a limited or full obstetrical ultrasound during the visit as well as genetic and pre-conceptual counseling (as needed). Genetic testing and amniocentesis can be done on the same day if deemed necessary. Recommendations for pregnancy care and delivery are provided to you and your physician.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Jenna Racine
Pediatric Diabetes Clinic
Children and youth with Type I (juvenile) and Type II diabetes are managed in the Diabetes Clinic. This multidisciplinary clinic is staffed by physicians from the University of Michigan (U-M) Motts Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology department, a diabetes educator, dietician and social worker. Hemoglobin A1C testing is available onsite at the clinic.

For more information regarding diabetes management and resources, please check out the U-M Pediatric Diabetes website.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Pediatric Endocrinology
Dr. Daniel Shumer
Dr. Inas Thomas
Dr. Delia Vazquez
Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic
Endocrinology provides consultation and evaluation of problems such as thyroid disorders, suspected growth hormone deficiency, adrenal insufficiency and other problems related to the hormone-producing glands. The clinic is staffed by physicians from the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology department.

Endocrine History Form

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Pediatric Endocrinology
Dr. Daniel Shumur
Dr. Delia Vazquez
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic
Hematology/Oncology physicians provide consultations and ongoing care for disorders involving the blood system by reviewing laboratory results and other testing. Some conditions that are diagnosed and treated are anemias, bleeding or clotting disorders, enlarged lymph nodes, platelet disorders and hereditary abnormalities of the white or red blood cells. We also provide post-treatment monitoring for childhood malignancies, such as leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumors.

Michigan State University Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Dr. Laura Agresta
Dr. David Cervi
Dr. Renuka Gera
Dr. Shawn Jobe
Pediatric Multi-Handicap/Chronic Disease Clinic
The Multi-handicap Clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic for children, youth and young adults up to age 21 years with chronic health problems (e.g. cerebral palsy) that would benefit from having an evaluation from several providers in one setting so that a comprehensive management plan can be developed. A comprehensive visit involves meeting with the pediatrician, physiatrist (a doctor who specializes in rehabilitation medicine), nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist, social worker and dietician. Management visits with a smaller number of providers also can occur for established patients as indicated. The appointment may take up to three hours to complete. Any additional tests such as lab work, x-ray and other imagining studies or referrals will be ordered as needed. After the visit, the providers meet to develop recommendations which are shared with the family and the patient’s primary physician.

UPHS Pediatrician
Dr. G. Michael Nidiffer

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Dr. Jessica Pruente
Pediatric Neurology Clinic
Our Neurology Clinic is staffed by a pediatric neurologist from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids who provides consultation for a variety of neurologic problems, specializing in disorders of nerve and/or muscle (e.g. neuropathies, muscular dystrophies) and movement disorders (e.g. tics and tremors).

DeVos Department of Pediatric Neurology
Dr. Steven DeRoos
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery evaluates and treats any problems you may be having with your bones, muscles or joints to help improve your range of motion, mobility and overall quality of life. Some conditions can be monitored and may not require surgical treatment. If surgery is indicated, this is done at the University of Michigan and post-surgical care can be done in Marquette.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan, C.S. Motts Children’s Hospital Ped Ortho Surgery Clinic
Dr. Matthew Stepanovich
Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic (PM&R)
Our clinic focuses on helping children achieve the best possible movement they can after experiencing an illness, injury or surgery. We provide treatment for any type of problem with mobility or the ability to perform daily living skills that do not need a multidisciplinary team evaluation at the Multi-Handicap Clinic. Our focus is on early diagnosis and treatment to improve muscle strength and your child’s mobility and physical comfort. This could be achieved through physical therapy and occupational therapy, or through medications such as Botox injections for spasticity. We also prescribe orthotics, assistive devices and medical equipment.

Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan Rehabilitation Medicine
Dr. Jessica Pruente