Children's Surgery at The Children's Hospital at Scott & White

When your child needs surgery, make sure you get a specialist in Children's Surgery. Pediatric Surgery Pediatric Surgeons Our Surgeons Surgical Specialties Appointments

What Really Matters
Children are not little adults They have small delicate tissues and unique conditions that are neither easily recognized nor common in adults. Pediatric Surgeons and Anesthesiologists Specialty trained, board certified and very experienced, they only care for children. Pediatric surgeons and anesthesiologists know how to handle small delicate tissues and how to examine and treat children in a relaxed, cooperative and safe manner. Pediatric Surgeons Specialists in the surgical care of children, they understand children's special needs. Pediatric Surgeons work with various specialists who are also oriented toward children to provide high quality, safe and emotionally supportive care.	Complex Problems Our staff performs surgeries for newborns, birth defects, cancer, serious injuries, cleft lip, deafness, retina and eye diseases, lung disease, cosmetic problems, and complex kidney problems. Common Problems We treat common conditions such as hernias, appendicitis, broken bones, bladder infections, earaches, tonsillitis, birthmarks and many other common problems that may not require hospitalization.
What Else Matters
Properly sized and specialized equipment, technology and facilities designed for children Pediatric nurses who give the right doses of medications and tender loving care Child Life specialists who comfort, entertain and teach school Live-in hospital room facilities for parents 24-hour in-hospital physician coverage The only pediatric surgery program in Central Texas

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The Division of Pediatric Surgery at Scott & White offers a wide range of full service surgical care utilizing state of the art technology. Our surgical services include:

Prenatal. Birth defects are now often detected during the fetal stage of development with the use of advanced ultrasound technology. Pediatric surgeons, in cooperation with maternal-fetal obstetricians and neonatal intensivists, can consult with mother and the family to educate and to plan corrective surgery when the baby is born.

Neonatal. Pediatric surgeons work to surgically repair birth defects.

Trauma. Trauma is the number one cause of death and disability of children in the United States. Traumatic injuries require critical care management or surgical intervention.

Tumors. Pediatric surgeons can diagnose and provide surgical care of both benign and malignant tumors.

Endoscopic and laser procedures. Our surgeons conduct bronchoscopies and esophagogastroduodenoscopies to surgically manage foreign bodies of the airway and esophagus.

Head and neck. Pediatric surgeons conduct surgical intervention for thyroid lesions, cysts of the neck, vascular abnormalities, and other congenital or acquired conditions.

Thoracic surgery. Pediatruc surgeons help manage pulmonary problems and vascular abnormalities, and conduct esophageal surgery.

Abdominal surgery.

Vascular problems. Our surgeons work to repair congenital or acquired lesions of the blood vessels or lymphatics.

Minimally invasive surgery. Many pediatric surgical procedures are now performed via the laparoscope or the thorascope

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What is a Pediatric Surgeon?
When your child is in need of surgery, you want him or her to have the very best care. If your child needs an operation, you will want to consult with a pediatric surgeon who is qualified and experienced in operating specifically on children. Pediatric surgeons specialize in the surgical care of children. They are surgeons who, by training, are oriented toward working with children and understanding their special needs. In addition, they work with various specialists who are also oriented toward children and toward providing high-quality, safe and emotionally supportive care for their patients. When a pediatric surgeon performs an operation, it is the culmination of an orderly and detailed process involving pediatricians, family physicians and other medical specialists who work together to fashion a comprehensive treatment program for the child.

Pediatric surgeons operate on children whose development ranges from the newborn stage through the teenage years. In addition to complete training and board certification in general surgery, pediatric surgeons complete two additional years of training exclusively in children's surgery. They then receive special certification in the subspecialty of' pediatric surgery. For pediatric surgeons, one of the most satisfying and fulfilling aspects of their profession is the possibility of saving entire lifetimes, and then to have the opportunity of following their patients through a productive young life into adulthood.

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The Specialists

The Children's Hospital at Scott & White's two pediatric surgeons, Donald R. Cooney, M.D., and Monford D. Custer, M.D., limit their practice to children only. The two have completed special training in Pediatric Surgery and possess over 40 years of combined surgical experience. Surgical problems cared for by pediatric surgeons are often quite different from those commonly seen by adult surgeons. Many of the diseases and conditions they treat are found only in children. Special training in pediatric surgery enables the pediatric surgeon to diagnose and treat these specialized conditions. It takes a surgeon familiar with taking care of children and the family to ensure the best and most comprehensive care.

Meet Our Specialized Surgeons

Donald R. Cooney, M.D. Dr. Cooney is the Director of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Chief of Children's Surgery at The Children's Hospital at Scott & White.  He is a professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, and is board certified in General Surgery (1978), recertified in General Surgery (1994), board certified in Pediatric Surgery (1980), and recertified in Pediatric Surgery (1995).

Monford D. Custer, M.D. Dr. Custer is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics. He is board certified in Surgery.

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Pediatrics Surgical Specialties

Pediatric surgeons not only specialize in the surgical care of children and understand their special needs, but they also work with various specialists who are oriented toward children to provide high quality, safe and emotionally supportive care.

• Pediatric Surgery Clinic in Temple, Waco and Killeen
• Pediatric Ophthalmology in Temple
• Pediatric Burn and Trauma Clinic in Temple
• Pediatric Cleft Palate Clinic and Plastic Surgery in Temple
• Pediatric ENT and Cochlear Ear Implants in Temple
• Pediatric Orthopedics and Scoliosis in Temple and Waco
• Pediatric Neurosurgery in Temple
• Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care at the Children's Hospital
• Pediatric Scotty Bear Same Day Surgery Program in Temple
• Pediatric Anesthesiology at the Children's Hospital
• Laser Surgery in Temple
• Pediatric Urology in Temple

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Appointments and Contact

254-724-9138 or 877-724-KIDS, extension 9138

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