Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Ralko.
Hi Christina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in various settings, but I became disillusioned with the constraints of traditional healthcare. The brief 10-15 minute scheduled visits left me feeling rushed and unable to establish meaningful connections with my patients and their families. Witnessing providers being forceful with their opinions, sometimes shaming parents, added to my discontent. An unexpected opportunity arose in Michigan when the Department of Defense offered me a chance to assist in a humanitarian mission. Encouraged by my husband, I left my stable job for the unknown, leading to an extraordinary experience in Operation Allies Welcome. This mission rekindled my passion, primarily through the impactful home visits. After returning home and working in various roles, I recognized the need for a better healthcare model. Reflecting on my positive experiences with home visits, I decided to start my practice, Your Way Pediatrics, in 2022. The goal is to make quality pediatric care accessible by adopting a mobile practice model. I aim to offer direct provider-patient contact, free from time constraints, providing a more individualized and personalized touch to pediatric care. Despite initial setbacks in Michigan’s restrictive policies for nurse practitioners, I researched other states allowing autonomous practice. With my husband’s encouragement, we decided to uproot our lives and move to a more supportive environment. The result is Your Way Pediatrics, where our motto is “Because every parent should have the final decision in their kids’ care.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been relatively smooth so far?
Embarking to establish a pediatric mobile practice has been rewarding and challenging. At the same time, the vision of delivering quality pediatric care directly to families’ homes has always been clear; the path to realizing that vision has presented its share of obstacles. Many challenges have been typical business-related issues encountered by small business owners. The unique structure of this practice added an extra layer of complexity, especially in navigating the logistics of a mobile service on wheels. One ongoing struggle I encountered early on was explaining why I do not accept health insurance. Many are accustomed to relying on insurance for medical services, making the decision not to take it as a form of payment a source of uncertainty. Despite the expense of health insurance, opting out allows me to have direct contact with patients and families, practice in a way that prioritizes their needs, and offer the additional value of my in-home services that insurance would not cover. Navigating the intricacies of coordinating a healthcare service on wheels involves meticulous planning, from scheduling appointments to ensuring all necessary equipment and resources are readily available. Despite these challenges, the joy of witnessing the positive impact on children’s lives and the gratitude from families keeps me motivated. Every milestone achieved, both in the practice’s growth and the children’s well-being, makes overcoming these obstacles worthwhile. It’s a dynamic journey, but my commitment to my mission propels me to navigate challenges and build a healthier future for children.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Your Way Pediatrics is on a mission to deliver top-notch pediatric care directly to patients in their homes, making healthcare accessible and affordable while prioritizing the well-being of the youngest patients. The goal is to break down barriers to healthcare, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. Your Way Pediatrics is revolutionizing healthcare by bringing it directly to you.
Families have two options: a monthly membership or a flat fee per visit, chosen to provide the best quality healthcare. A monthly membership grants access to scheduled well-visits, unexpected sick visits, and consultations for pediatric concerns. Virtual visits are also available for accessible healthcare, even during vacations. With direct contracting, I offer high-quality, personalized care, including well-child checks, sick visits, mental health, telemedicine, and direct access via text, phone, or email between visits.
This unique practice provides pediatric primary and urgent care in the privacy and comfort of your home, catering to patients of all ages, from newborns to adolescents. In your child’s familiar surroundings, I offer comprehensive services typical of traditional pediatric primary care, with more extended visits, predictable costs, minimal wait times, and direct provider access, reshaping the healthcare landscape.
No intermediaries stand between you and your provider. I am always your point of contact when you have a question or concern – there are no gatekeepers here. I maintain a dedicated phone line for direct patient communication, utilizing Jane EHR to access records, prescriptions, billing, and more easily.
Your Way Pediatrics ensures healthcare revolves around your family, consolidating well visits, sick visits, blood draws, diagnostic testing, and instant medication prescriptions at one location and with one provider. The motto “Because every parent should have the final decision in their kids’ care” reflects my commitment to empowering patients and parents. I provide knowledge and recommendations, allowing them to make the final decision on healthcare without judgment. I encourage parents to take control of their child’s healthcare, free from the constraints of insurance dictation. When I lack answers, I facilitate outside consultations in a timeframe that suits your needs, eliminating the weeks of uncertainty often associated with referrals.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is the well-being and development of each child under my care. My primary focus is ensuring that every child can grow up healthy, happy, and thriving. Several factors contribute to this overarching concern:
- Health and Wellness: I am dedicated to promptly monitoring and addressing health concerns.
- Emotional and Mental Health: I understand the importance of a child’s emotional and mental well-being. I am attuned to signs of emotional distress or developmental challenges and work to provide necessary support and referrals to specialists when needed.
- Holistic Development: I recognize that a child’s development is multifaceted. I am concerned not only with physical and mental health but also with social and cognitive development. This involves tracking milestones, offering nutrition guidance, and addressing developmental delays.
- Family-Centered Care: Building solid relationships with families is crucial to my practice. Understanding the family dynamics, cultural background, and socioeconomic factors helps me tailor my approach to better support the child’s overall development. Collaboration with parents and caregivers is essential for optimal outcomes.
- Preventive Medicine and Education: Beyond treating illnesses, I am passionate about preventive care and health education. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, providing guidance on nutrition and exercise, and offering resources for parents to make informed decisions about their child’s health.
- Accessibility and Advocacy: Ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, is my core value. I often advocate for policies that support children’s health and work to reduce healthcare disparities.
In summary, what matters most to me is the holistic well-being of each child. It’s my commitment to not just treating illnesses but actively contributing to the healthy development of the next generation, fostering a foundation for a bright and promising future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yourwaypediatrics.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourwaypeds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourWayPeds
