Three doctors team up to open new children’s clinic

All three of the pediatricians at Nest Children’s Clinic say they knew launching their own private practice would be a risk.

They had to find the right home, hire the right staff and figure out how to balance the costs, liabilities and challenges of working for themselves.

But even before their grand opening, scheduled for 4-7 p.m. March 29, they say they already know they made the right decision.

“We had always envisioned taking care of patients without the limitations of corporatized health care,” said Dr. Dianna Lang.

“It’s worth the risk,” added Dr. Geraldine Gatmaitan Dizon.

“We want this to be the medical home for our families and that’s what is happening,” said Dr. Paulo de Vera.

All three previously worked for Lourdes Health. Dizon and de Vera have known each other for 15 years and they formed a friendship with Lang when she joined the Pasco hospital four years ago.

Leap of faith

As they grew close, the doctors realized how much they shared in terms of ideals and how they wanted to serve young patients. Most of all, they wanted to have trusted relationships with every child and their family so they could provide the best care.

So, they decided to take the leap and start their own practice.

“It all started April Fool’s Day 2023,” Dizon said while laughing. “It’s the truth, I have the pictures.”

Over the last two years, they’ve worked to build the clinic they envisioned. They scouted for locations, which was challenging as they wanted to be in west Pasco. They settled on a space on the second floor of an office building at 9425 Sandifur Parkway, which had the bonus of having Ahava Coffee on the ground floor.

The brightly lit and painted clinic has six exam rooms and a basic laboratory space for conducting basic diagnostic tests. The waiting room has a tree designed into the space to make it more welcoming for young children.

From left, Drs. Dianna Lang, Geraldine Gatmaitan Dizon and Paulo de Vera in one of the exam rooms of Nest Children’s Clinic. The trio recently launched the clinic, now the only private pediatrics practice in Pasco, after a combined 35 years of serving young patients in the Tri-Cities.

| Photo by Ty Beaver

The doctors didn’t share their plans to start a practice with anyone, but once co-workers learned they were leaving, some asked to follow them. The majority of their five staff have worked with all three of them.

And the same went for some of their patients, who reached out wanting to continue care with them.

“It’s very humbling, the response we’re getting,” Lang said, adding that they are already busy with appointments.

Grandpatients

The new venture also reflects their commitment to the patient-doctor relationship. With a combined 35 years of serving the Tri-Cities, the three doctors have cared for a lot of kids over that time. Now those kids have their own and they’ve returned.

“It’s pretty cool to see the kids of our patients,” de Vera said. “We actually have a name for them, grandpatients. We’re seeing lots of grandpatients.”

Having their own practice has meant putting their own spin on things. So far that’s included promoting themselves via social media with a vibe that would make anyone in Gen Z proud. But it’s also been about meeting the needs of their families, such as reserving urgent care slots each day for any of their young patients who suddenly feel ill or experience another health problem.

“You’re not going to wait six weeks to be seen with a runny nose,” Lang said.

Even with the early demand from patients and hiring great staff, the doctors said they know that success isn’t guaranteed. But they aren’t turning back.

“When three friends get together, we’re legendary,” Dizon said.

“It’s one great adventure,” Lang added.

“One which I wouldn’t take without these two,” de Vera said of his practice partners.

Nest Children’s Clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, closing for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

Go to: nestpeds.com.