From First Cries to First Checkups: Compassionate Care in the Crossroads

4/3/2026

From the first cry of a newborn to the last check-up before a young adult heads off to college, pediatric care at DeTar Healthcare System is a journey of trust, reassurance and expert clinical care. In the heart of the Crossroads, DeTar’s pediatric team creates a welcoming environment for families navigating every stage of childhood and adolescence.

From First Breath to First Steps

At DeTar Hospital North, care begins with a baby’s very first breath. The hospital is home to the only NICU in the Crossroads region with 24/7, in-house monitoring by board-certified neonatologists — a distinction that reflects its advanced capabilities and commitment to the area’s smallest patients.

As a Level II-designated NICU recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services, DeTar provides around-the-clock specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns, including infants born as early as 23 weeks. A dedicated Special Care Nursery, specially trained neonatal nurses, and respiratory therapists allow many fragile babies to receive the advanced support they need without leaving the community.

“The hearts of our patients are truly in our hands when we’re caring for their newborn,” says Mary Claire Bradshaw, director of women and children’s services. “We’re able to respond immediately to emergencies while building meaningful relationships with families during some of their most vulnerable moments.”

Those bonds often last well beyond discharge. Each year, NICU graduates and their families return for a reunion celebration — a joyful reminder of just how far these tiny patients have come.

Beyond the NICU, medical providers continue walking alongside families through well-child visits, immunizations, school and sports physicals, and care for acute and chronic conditions. Routine check-ups provide key opportunities to monitor growth, development and emotional well-being — helping parents understand milestones and health expectations for each age.

“Our goal is to care for the whole child — physically, emotionally and developmentally — while supporting families every step of the way,” Bradshaw says. “Parents want to know their child is in skilled hands, and they also want compassion. We make sure they have both at DeTar Hospital North.”

Pediatrician or Family Medicine Physician — What’s the Difference?

One of the first decisions parents make is choosing the right primary care provider. Both pediatricians and family medicine physicians care for children, but their training paths differ.

Pediatricians specialize exclusively in the care of infants, children and adolescents. Their residency training is focused entirely on childhood growth, development, behavior and pediatric-specific illnesses. They track milestones closely — from newborn weight gain and immunizations to adolescent mental health and sports readiness — and are deeply familiar with conditions unique to childhood.

Family medicine physicians, on the other hand, are trained to treat patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. For families who value having one physician care for parents and children alike, this model offers convenience and continuity across generations. A family doctor can manage well-child visits, minor illnesses and preventive care while also caring for adult family members.

According to Dr. Mark A. Gonzalez with DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic, the most important factor is establishing a strong, ongoing relationship with a trusted primary care provider.

“Having a primary care doctor who truly knows your child makes a tremendous difference,” Gonzalez says. “We’re not just seeing them for a single illness — we’re watching how they grow, how they develop and how they’re doing overall. That continuity allows us to catch concerns early and guide families proactively.”

He adds that consistency builds trust over time. “When families have an established relationship with their primary care physician, it creates open communication. Parents feel comfortable calling with questions, and children feel at ease during visits. That partnership is one of the strongest tools we have to keep kids healthy.”

Surgical Care Without Leaving Town

Parents also want reassurance that if their child needs more than routine care, they won’t have to leave the community. At DeTar Healthcare System, that reassurance is built into the system.

“If a child needs surgery, families shouldn’t have to add travel stress to an already emotional situation,” Bradshaw says. “We have the equipment, the trained staff and quality surgical capability right here.”

DeTar Medical Group general surgeon Dr. Tanweer Majid has performed a range of routine pediatric procedures, including common outpatient surgeries and minor operations.

This includes treatment for skin and soft tissue conditions, minimally invasive abdominal procedures, and repair of traumatic injuries.

That means families can stay close to home, near their support systems, rather than traveling to larger metropolitan areas for care.

“When a child needs surgery, it’s never routine for the family — even if it’s routine for us. My goal is to make sure parents feel informed, confident and comfortable every step of the way,” Dr. Majid said. “Parents can feel assured that their child is in capable hands right here in our community.”

Dedicated Inpatient Pediatric Care Close to Home

The pediatric care team at DeTar Healthcare System provides a comprehensive range of services focused on keeping children and adolescents healthy — including inpatient care when hospitalization is necessary. DeTar is the only facility in Victoria with a dedicated pediatric unit, offering families the comfort of remaining close to home during a hospital stay.

While pediatricians do not admit directly to the pediatric unit at DeTar Hospital North, children who require hospitalization are admitted and managed by the DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program; however, patients of American Regional Health Center are admitted under the care of American Regional Health Center’s providers and managed accordingly. This collaborative approach ensures attentive, physician-led care in a setting designed specifically for young patients.

In addition to routine inpatient services, the unit is equipped to care for children who need a higher level of monitoring and attention than a standard hospital stay. The focus remains on delivering safe, attentive care in a welcoming, family-centered environment where children feel comfortable and parents feel confident.

Friendly, compassionate staff work closely with families to ensure every visit — whether inpatient or outpatient — is as smooth, supportive and reassuring as possible. Whether it’s an annual check-up or treatment for a more serious condition, the team takes your child’s health as seriously as you do, offering a wide variety of pediatric care services designed to support every stage of growth and development.

Caring for the Whole Child

From newborn special care to adolescent sports physicals — and even surgical intervention when necessary — DeTar’s pediatric services are designed to grow alongside each child. The result is a healthcare experience rooted in expertise, compassion and community. “At the end of the day,” Bradshaw adds, “we’re not just treating patients. We’re caring for Victoria’s children — and that’s a responsibility we take to heart.”

As Gonzalez emphasizes, that responsibility extends beyond any single visit. “Strong primary care relationships help children thrive,” he says. “When families partner with us early and consistently, we can focus not only on treating illness, but on building a foundation for lifelong health.” From newborns to teens, DeTar’s pediatric services aim not just to treat illness but to foster thriving, resilient young lives — right here at home.

Dr. Girish Gowda, neonatologist with DeTar Hospital North, visits with a mother and her NICU grads.

Dawn Jimenez, NICU, pediatrics & women’s services manager at DeTar Hospital North, visits with mom and her NICU graduate.

Girish Gowda, M.D., neonatologist with DeTar Hospital North, high-fives a NICU graduate at their annual NICU reunion event.

Pediatric patients receive a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus during the holiday to spread cheer and smiles to the tiny patients.

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