Provider Referral
Information on referring to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Help your baby, child or teenager start feeling better with care for their digestive system from Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital (part of Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals).
Find a pediatric gastroenterologist
Our experienced pediatric doctors and specialists are ready to serve you and your family.
Symptoms and diseases we treat
Expect the best care for a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) problems, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding in the GI tract
- Celiac disease
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (inflammation in the food pipe)
- Gallstones
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Feeding and swallowing disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Lack of nutrition or failure to thrive (trouble growing)
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Pancreatic disease
- Short bowel syndrome, or short gut (intestines that can’t fully absorb food)
- Vomiting
Gastrostomy tube care
If your child has a gastrostomy tube (G-tube), we’ll help you take care of it to keep it working well and safely.
How to get care
Ask your primary care doctor if your child needs specialized digestive health care. After your doctor sends us a referral form, we’ll call you to schedule an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist.
If your child’s condition is urgent, we’ll try to see you within 24 to 48 hours. Otherwise, your first appointment may happen within two or three weeks.
Prepare for your visit
Contact your insurance company to make sure it has the referral on file and will cover the appointment. Plan to make any copays when you arrive.
Come 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to register and complete a health history form. You must stay with your child who’s younger than 18 during the appointment.
What to bring
- Your insurance card
- Your photo ID
- Legal guardianship documentation (if applicable)
- List of your child’s medications and doses
- Results of any relevant imaging or lab tests done outside Spectrum Health (or you may have the results sent to us ahead of time)
What to expect
The first appointment will last about an hour. Your pediatric gastroenterologist will ask about your child’s symptoms and perform a full physical exam, which may include a rectal exam. Your child may need to get blood tests after the visit so the doctor can learn more about his or her health.
Follow-up visits
If necessary, we’ll schedule follow-up visits to provide treatment or see how well your child is doing. Call us any time with questions. We’re your family’s partner in long-term care.
Family-centered care plans
Our experts work with your whole family to determine the best approach—whether that’s dietary changes, medicine, surgery or a combination of treatments.
Frequently asked questions
Constipation
Diarrhea (chronic)
Gallstones
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Our care team
Expect well-rounded care from a team of specialists in children’s digestive health. All our professionals work closely with each other and your primary care doctor to offer complete, coordinated services.
Pediatric gastroenterologist
Diagnoses and treats digestive disorders in children.
Radiologist
Uses imaging to diagnose diseases.
Nurse practitioner
Diagnoses and treats children’s gastrointestinal illnesses.
Psychologist
Helps your family cope with a disease.
Dietitian
Recommends how to feed a child to relieve health problems.
Surgeon
Uses surgery to treat digestive disorders.
Medical social worker
Helps your family access resources for better health.
Child life specialist
Helps your child understand treatment and feel less anxious.
Manage your child’s health
Use MyChart to schedule appointments, access test results and communicate with your child’s care team.