On October 3, 2025, pediatric care professionals gathered for Knowledge Is Now’s first Partners In Pediatrics (PIP) in-person event in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The gathering offered a unique opportunity for therapists, clinicians, organizational leaders, and allied professionals to network, learn, and explore innovations in pediatric care transitions.
The theme “Birth to Home” underscored the critical juncture when infants make the transition from hospital or neonatal settings to home life, especially those with complex medical or developmental needs.
Overcoming Barriers & Systems Innovation
Through case studies and group discussions, participants explored:
- Gaps in coordination across medical, therapy, and community systems
- Strategies to reduce administrative burden (e.g. using automation tools)
- Approaches to strengthen interprofessional trust and carry evidence-based practices into everyday clinical workflows
Key Topics & Takeaways
General Movements Assessment (GMA) with Jennifer Valenzuela, OTR, MOT, CPST and Amanda Whitmire, PT, DPT, CPST
Attendees delved into GMA as a diagnostic and prognostic tool to detect early neurological risk in infants. The discussion included:
- The phases of general movements (Writhing, Fidgety)
- How GMA scores correlate with developmental outcomes
- The window of neuroplasticity and why early detection matters
Hearing Loss, Referral & Risk Identification with Stephanie Williams, AuD, ABAC, PASC
Another focus was identifying less common risk factors for hearing loss to prompt early audiologic referral. The goal was to empower providers to spot signs and streamline care pathways in the “birth-to-home” period.
Complex Airway & Medical Needs with Ashley Brown, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
One area of focus was children with histories of airway surgeries (e.g. tracheostomies, airway reconstruction). The sessions addressed:
- Feeding challenges
- Voice and speech impacts
- Tracheostomy care strategies
- Monitoring and managing sensory/motor coordination given airway constraints
Exhibitors, Sponsors & Community Support
The event featured several exhibitors and sponsors aligned with the mission of pediatric care innovation:
- Nicular: providers of smart automation tools to reduce claim denials and administrative load
- The Feeding Connection: offering lactation and infant feeding support locally in DFW & Amarillo
- Cranial Technologies: collaborating with therapy professionals on management of plagiocephaly and head shape concerns
- HealthCare For Kids: a group of passionate professionals with over 50 years of collective medical experience including more than 35 years in a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) setting.
- BEE THE SLP: provided amazing SLP-inspired merchandise, perfect for adding a little joy (and advocacy) to your therapy sessions and your day.
- Cowtown Baby & Co.: provides expert feeding support for families in Fort Worth even when parents were doing everything “right,” there was something was still missing: ongoing, hands-on support that truly met them where they were.
- A Rising Tide: supports pediatric therapy providers and health plans in delivering effective care, streamlining operations, and thriving in value-based care environments.
- Callier Center for Communication Disorders: transforming lives by helping children and adults with speech, language, and hearing disorders connect through communication.
A raffle was held at 1:00 pm, with prizes generously contributed by the exhibitors.
Reflections & Impact
The Partners in Pediatrics Birth to Home event succeeded in its goal to cultivate connections, share cutting-edge insights, and equip pediatric providers with tools to improve early care transitions. Participants left empowered with new strategies and a renewed commitment to collaborative, child-centered care.
Some lasting impressions:
- The importance of early detection and coordination can’t be overstated, especially for populations with medical complexity
- Interdisciplinary dialogue enriches both clinical and operational perspectives
- Community partnerships and exhibitor resources demonstrated how innovation from outside the clinical sphere can support care integrity
As Knowledge Is Now plans future events (virtual and in-person), the momentum from October 3 will carry forward, cultivating a network of providers who strive for excellence in pediatric care from the start.
