A Message from Dr. Bergqvist

Dear Keto families,

What a year it has been for you and for us, “the year of the pandemic.” In this one year we have made more changes to our program than we had in all my years at CHOP as the medical director. At times, I felt like a chameleon, changing my colors on a daily basis to fit new regulations. I worried about no physical exam, the limitation of families trying to assist with only a view of the child through a smart phone. We have cared and remained available for our more than 250 children who are now in our program.

Honestly, changing our program that is so “hands-on“ to all virtual felt at times impossible, with good will and the determination that only our KD team has, we did it! We have learned valuable skills that we take with us to the post pandemic area.  We speak fluent, zoom, bluejeans, webex, and EPIC telemed.  We are able to run a keto clinic with 3-4 providers virtually, if needed. Some changes to the program will remain. The virtual KD class given over 2 days have allowed families from near and very far away to find out about the ketogenic diets and our program from the comfort of their home. Some have traveled to Philadelphia to join our program. 

We are near a new normal, with more adults vaccinated and the vaccine available for children age 5 and older. There are ongoing trials for younger children down to 6 months old. We recommend that your child gets the vaccine when available for their age group, with very few exceptions. It is safe, incredibly effective, and can prevents serious disease and death.  With the falling COVID-19 case rates, increased vaccination rates, we all should feel hope again. We are on our way to herd immunity in the USA!

CHOP has remained a very safe place throughout the pandemic. If we have not seen your child in person in the past 6 months I ask that your make an in person visit now. Call Tiffany Molina 215-590-1719 or email her at molinat@chop.edu she will call you back. Ask for a KD CLINIC visit not a KD TEAM visit.

Sarah Tefft, CRNP and I are running an extra KD clinic monthly to assist all the epilepsy doctors who may not have openings, you have the chance of getting keto care by the experts! We have a new member of the KD nursing team Marta Perkiss, RN. We welcome the skills and expertise that she brings from the Haverford clinic where she was the lead RN for so many years. Alex Buonomo, RN, my triage RN for many years is also assisting we are thrilled to have her with the KD team. 

There are keto coaching opportunities for families with > 2 years keto experience to support new families who are joining us on the keto journey. Please contact us if you are interested.

We welcome you all back to CHOP and Buerger and we and look forward to working with you and your child in what we hope will be a post pandemic year! 

Hugs,
Dr Bergqvist