Medical College of Wisconsin Adolescent Medicine Patient Care and Clinical Programs

Beginning a journey in reproductive health can feel overwhelming. Whether patients come to discuss their first periods, start birth control, undergo their initial Pap test, or deal with a serious reproductive health issue, we strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone.

We prioritize the principles of reproductive justice and personal autonomy, which shape our approach to putting patients at the forefront of their care. Our focus is on providing trauma-informed and non-judgmental support. We take pleasure in educating our patients and collaborating with them to discover solutions that cater to their unique needs.

• Contraception (birth control)
• Long-acting reversible contraception including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal (arm) implants
• Painful, heavy, irregular, or absent menstrual periods
• Menstrual suppression (stopping periods) for patients with complex medical needs, bleeding disorders, patients receiving chemotherapy, or patients who prefer to have no periods
• Menstrual related conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual induced seizures, or menstrual migraines
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, screening, and treatment including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis/prevention (PrEP)
• Cervical cancer prevention and screening with human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination and Pap smears (ages 21 and older)
  • The HPV vaccine also prevents mouth, throat, vulvovaginal and anal cancers
• Sexual health and wellness discussions
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Sexual and reproductive health care of patients with cancer or other chronic medical conditions
• Hormonal acne management and contraception for people using Accutane or other medications known to cause birth defects
• Delayed puberty
• Concerns about breast development
• Primary ovarian insufficiency

Our Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology partner adds:

• Surgical consults (ovarian or uterine masses, anatomic differences, endometriosis not responsive to hormonal management)
• Pediatric vulvovaginal concerns and hymenal abnormalities
• Hormonal replacement therapy
• Difficult or sedated intrauterine device (IUD) placement

Yabuki Outpatient Tower within Children's Wisconsin Main Campus (Wauwatosa)
Adolescent Medicine | Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology

Teen Health Clinic (within Children’s Greenfield Clinic)

Adolescent Medicine care embedded in Children’s Medical Group (CMG) primary care locations
Midtown Clinic (northwest Milwaukee) | Forest Home Clinic (south-central Milwaukee) – opening fall 2025

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Referrals to physical therapy colleagues dedicated to pelvic health, located throughout the Milwaukee metro area

Our team is dedicated to improving access to sexual and reproductive healthcare in the community through ongoing growth and development. In the fall of 2025, we will open a new clinic on the south side of Milwaukee, located within Forest Home Pediatrics (Children’s Medical Group). We also plan to expand our services to other underserved areas in Southeastern Wisconsin in the coming years. Additionally, we aim to form partnerships with various subspecialties to enhance reproductive and sexual healthcare for patients facing cancer and other serious chronic conditions.

We are also looking into new ways to enhance the comfort of our patients during reproductive healthcare. This includes improving techniques for managing pain and anxiety, especially during procedures like IUD insertion and removal.

Eating disorders present serious challenges for adolescents and young adults, which is why the Medical College of Wisconsin partners with Children’s Wisconsin through its Adolescent Medicine division to offer tailored care. The Eating Disorders Program at Children’s Wisconsin unites specialists in adolescent medicine, mental health, and clinical nutrition to meet the specific medical, nutritional, behavioral, and psychosocial requirements of each child.

This program provides two levels of treatment: hospital medical stabilization for patients with severe conditions and an outpatient interdisciplinary clinic for those needing ongoing assistance. Our experienced team specializes in pediatric medical and psychiatric care, helping children and families from both local and national communities. We emphasize a parent-supported approach to nutrition and recognize the vital role of family involvement in the recovery journey.

Our primary goal is to empower children and families with the skills needed to address disordered eating. We focus on offering support and education that allows families to manage these behaviors effectively while ensuring minimal disruption to their education and home life.

Every year, we provide ongoing care to many patients struggling with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and binge eating disorder. Our comprehensive services include medical evaluations, nutritional counseling, and mental health support, which encompasses psychology, therapy, social work, and psychiatric consultations. The main goal of our program is to offer high-quality, interdisciplinary care to patients and their families affected by disordered eating. Understanding that recovery can require different levels of support, Children’s Wisconsin provides both medical stabilization hospitalization and outpatient care. We also collaborate with community partners to refer patients to specialized eating disorder programs when necessary.

Children’s Wisconsin cares for individuals both inpatient and outpatient on the main campus. Located in the Yabuki Outpatient Tower within Children’s Wisconsin, the Eating Disorders Program provides services of more than 1000 visits per year, with a treatment plan tailored to meet each family's specific needs.

Every family has a "team," which includes:

An adolescent medicine specialist will oversee and assess the child's growth, aiming for a specific weight range. They will also evaluate any potential medical issues and provide guidance on the child's gradual return to regular activities.

Family psychologist and therapist to provide individual and family therapy sessions each week.

A registered dietitian collaborates with parents to create meal plans and manage nutrition both at home and in school settings. They also engage with children to answer nutrition-related questions, help regulate their appetites, and practice meal preparation outside of the program.

Eating Disorder Navigators collaborate closely with families and primary care physicians, and when necessary, they connect individuals to local specialists who have experience in treating eating disorders.

• Eating disorder treatment team including adolescent medicine provider, clinical nutrition, and psychology/therapist
• Medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment
• Clinical nutrition management
• Eating Disorder Navigators collaborate closely with families and primary care physicians, and when necessary, they connect individuals to local specialists who have experience in treating eating disorders.
• We offer a family base therapy (FBT) influenced curriculum for patients and families.

In our inpatient hospital services, the primary goal is to stabilize patients. Our dedicated hospital team focuses on individuals who are admitted due to urgent medical issues stemming from their eating disorders. We also incorporate elements of Family Based Treatment to assist the families and caregivers of young people dealing with disordered eating.

Additionally, in our inpatient hospital services, we focus on stabilizing patients who are experiencing acute medical issues due to their eating disorders. Our committed hospital team works closely with these individuals to meet their urgent health needs. We also integrate aspects of Family Based Treatment to support the families and caregivers of young people dealing with disordered eating.

Midtown Clinic-Children's Wisconsin

Midtown Clinic offers routine healthcare for patients aged 12 to 21, delivered by pediatricians who specialize in adolescent medicine. This clinic provides a range of essential services tailored to the needs of young patients, ensuring they receive comprehensive care during these crucial developmental years.

Some of these services include:

• Immunizations
• Patient education about adolescent conditions
• Chronic disease management
• Comprehensive reproductive health services for males and females
• Screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• Pregnancy testing
• Contraceptive initiation including Nexplanon insertion
• HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Milwaukee County Juvenile Detention Center

We conduct health screenings and offer medical care for youth in detention, focusing on their reproductive health needs, providing patient education, and making follow-up recommendations. If necessary, we also refer them to medical specialists and can help connect them to Children’s Primary Care after their release.

Common conditions treated include:

• Sexually transmitted infections-including screening for HIV and syphilis
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Trauma follow-up
• Urinary Tract Infections

This facility currently has 127 beds, with plans to add 8 more by fall 2025. Milwaukee County employs a team of six medical nurses and three psychiatric nurses who provide care to the detained youth every day of the week. Additionally, the Wauwatosa School District offers educational services in two dedicated classrooms.

The psychiatric nursing department at the facility is responsible for coordinating care for young individuals who already have psychiatrists. They also manage psychiatric evaluations as required by court orders.

Milwaukee County is gearing up for future development with a new long-term residential program aimed at supporting up to 32 youth. This initiative will offer a variety of housing options, improved programming, and essential support services, including a dedicated medical department. The program is designed to deliver comprehensive care, featuring access to licensed mental health professionals, collaborations with local organizations like the Wauwatosa School District, and vocational counseling to help youth develop independent living skills. Furthermore, Milwaukee County is dedicated to enhancing community well-being by promoting leisure activities, recreational opportunities, and physical fitness.

Each young person will receive support from a specialized case planning team that will create individualized plans designed to meet their unique needs. These plans will emphasize behavior-focused therapy and educational programs aimed at fostering their recovery and personal growth.