From NICU graduate to thriving toddler: Finding peace of mind at BMG Main Street Pediatrics

Lee and Jane Herschberger with their son, Aleks.

When Lee and Jane Herschberger welcomed their son, Aleks, into the world, their journey into parenthood started differently than they expected.

Aleks was born prematurely and spent his first month in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). After weeks of uncertainty, the family received the best Christmas gift they could imagine when they brought him home on Christmas Eve 2023.

Lee and Jane quickly learned that caring for a newborn comes with plenty of questions. For parents of a preemie, those questions can feel even more urgent.

“We had a lot of sleepless nights during the first year and a half,” Lee said. “You worry about everything. Is he gaining enough weight? Is he hitting his milestones?”

Searching for personalized pediatric care for Aleks

As Aleks grew, Lee and Jane wanted a pediatrician who could provide expert guidance while also being easy to reach when questions or concerns came up.

After changing insurance plans, they found themselves struggling to get timely appointments with their previous provider. They started looking for a pediatrician who offered convenient access, strong communication and a more personal approach to care.

Their search led them to Nancy Pudlo, MD, a pediatrician at Beacon Medical Group Main Street Pediatrics in Granger. Using Beacon’s online scheduling tools, they made a new patient appointment quickly. Within days, Aleks and his parents met their new care team.

Addressing developmental milestones with Dr. Nancy Pudlo

Nancy Pudlo, MD
Pediatrician
Beacon Medical Group Pediatrics Main Street

During their first visit, the family met with pediatric resident Leah Blickensderfer, DO, who took time to answer questions and explain her assessment. They then met with Dr. Pudlo.

For Lee and Jane, the experience immediately felt different.

“She was very kind and compassionate,” Lee said. “She listened to our concerns and took them seriously.”

One of those concerns involved Aleks’ development. Because he had been born prematurely, Lee and Jane wanted to make sure he was progressing as expected.

Rather than taking a wait-and-see approach, Dr. Pudlo referred Aleks to First Steps, Indiana’s early intervention program, for a more detailed developmental assessment.

“At Beacon Medical Group Main Street Pediatrics, my goal is to find a way during visits to connect with patients and their families to better understand their concerns,” Dr. Pudlo said.

The evaluation identified a few areas where Aleks needed extra support. By the time First Steps sent its report to Dr. Pudlo, Aleks had made strong progress and was back on track.

For Lee, the referral reassured him that Dr. Pudlo heard his concerns and took action.

“The other doctor never even mentioned it,” he said. “Dr. Pudlo made sure we looked into it, and that gave us peace of mind.”

The value of convenient access to pediatric care

Just a few weeks after establishing care, Aleks became sick.

Instead of worrying about finding an available appointment, Lee and Jane used Beacon’s online scheduling system to book a same-day visit with Dr. Pudlo.

During the appointment, Dr. Pudlo assessed Aleks and reassured the family that he was dealing with a viral illness and did not have a secondary bacterial infection. She encouraged them to continue monitoring him at home and let them know she was available if concerns arose.

For Lee and Jane, that accessibility has remained one of the most valuable parts of their experience.

“We can usually get in the same day,” Lee said. “Most of the time, we’re able to see Dr. Pudlo directly. She knows Aleks, she knows what’s important and we have that connection.”

Advice for parents concerned about child development

Lee, Jane, Aleks and Dani Herschberger.

Today, Aleks is thriving, and Lee and Jane feel confident knowing they have a trusted pediatrician in their corner.

Lee said the experience showed him how important access to primary care can be for families.

“It feels really good that we’ve got a provider who we trust, who we’re able to call and get in to see,” he said. “We’re getting the outcomes that we want from that relationship.”

For Dr. Pudlo, she sees the importance of compassionate care for both the patients and the family. “Pediatric care is a challenging but also very rewarding experience. I’m glad to have so many opportunities to work with such great families.”

For parents who may be concerned about their child’s development, Lee offers simple advice.

“Don’t be afraid to advocate for your child if you have concerns,” he said. “Sometimes that means making a different decision about where you choose to get your healthcare.”

And if he had the chance to thank Dr. Pudlo and the Main Street Pediatrics team one more time?

“Thank you for being there, being available and approaching every visit with compassion,” Lee said. “And thank you for providing excellent care.”

About pediatric care at Beacon