Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates - An Affiliate of Children's Mercy

04/24/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight of the Week 🌟

This week’s provider spotlight goes to Nicole Latvala, APRN 💙

Here are a few fun facts about Nicole:
✨ 20 years as a nurse practitioner at MKPA 👩‍⚕️
✨ Favorite part of her job: The hilarious things kids say. Their energy, honesty, and resiliency.
✨ Superpower as a provider: Foreign body removal- from the ears or nose. There’s typically a pretty funny story to go along with how the item wound up there.
✨ Favorite way to spend a day off: Outside! Hiking, biking, landscaping, kayaking... ☀️🚴
✨ Favorite kids’ movie: Finding Nemo
✨ Bucket list item: Travel to New Zealand
✨ Favorite holiday: Easter 🐰✝️
✨ Fun facts: She recently got scuba certified. Remodeled her home by herself. Hiked to the top of Pikes Peak.
✨ Advice for parents: Give yourself grace, focus on connection, and remember that being present matters more than being perfect! 🤍

We know Nicole has cared for so many amazing families—if she’s made an impact on yours, we’d love to hear about it in the comments! 💬💙

04/16/2026

Spring is here, which means more time outside… but also more sneezing, sniffles, and itchy eyes for many kids 🌼🤧

As pollen levels rise, seasonal allergies can start to impact sleep, school performance, and overall comfort. Unlike a cold, allergy symptoms tend to stick around longer and don’t come with a fever.

The good news? A few simple changes—like washing up after outdoor play and limiting pollen exposure—can make a big difference!

If your child’s symptoms are persistent or starting to interfere with daily life, we’re here to help 💙

🌿 Let’s keep your kids feeling their best this spring!

🩺 Want more information? Check out the full blog on our site! https://www.midkspeds.com/blog/

04/10/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight of the Week 🌟

This week’s provider spotlight goes to Taylor Schrant, APRN 💙

Here are a few fun facts about Taylor:
✨ 3 years as a pediatric APRN 👩‍⚕️
✨ Favorite part of her job: The reward of watching babies and kids grow up and building lasting relationships with their families
✨ Superpower as a provider: Amazing at hearing and detecting a heart murmur
✨ Favorite way to spend a day off: Time with family—bonus if it’s warm and sunny or a day on the lake! ☀️
✨ Favorite kids’ cartoon: Scooby-Doo
✨ Bucket list item: Travel to Ireland
✨ Favorite holiday: Christmas 🎄
✨ Fun facts: She has 3 sisters, all of whom are nurses or NPs. She loves sports and enjoys cooking and baking
✨ Advice for parents: Some days are smooth, and some are more exhausting. You don’t have to be perfect—kids don’t need perfect. They just need love, safety, and someone who keeps showing up!

We’re so lucky to have Taylor on our team! Be sure to give her some love in the comments or say hello at your next visit 💙

03/31/2026

🏈⚽ Sports Physical Season Is Coming Up! ⚾🏀

If your child plans to play sports this upcoming school year, they’ll need a sports physical on or after April 1st to meet school requirements.

Now is the perfect time to go ahead and schedule their appointment so it’s one less thing to worry about when the busy summer season arrives.

✅ Sports physicals can be scheduled in combination with a yearly well-child check or during a sick visit.

Need the form? The sports physical form is available on our Patient Forms page at midkspeds.com/patient-forms/

📞 Call now to secure your child’s spot and make sure they’re ready for the season!

03/27/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight of the Week 🌟

This week's provider spotlight goes to Dr. Tina Haynes 💙

Here are a few fun facts about Dr. Haynes:
✨ 35 years in Pediatrics 👩‍⚕️
✨Favorite part of her job: Enjoys watching the babies grow into young adults.
✨Superpower as a provider: Calming young children when working with them in clinic.
✨Favorite way to spend a day off: Breakfast with her husband, playing with the dogs, reading, then dinner and a movie 🎥
✨Favorite kids movie: Disney Onward & Haunted Mansion (2023)
✨Bucket list item: Attending the Rose Parade 🌹
✨Favorite holiday: Christmas
✨Fun Facts: She shows a dog in conformation. Loves to cook & bake. Loves to visit Disneyworld. 🐭
✨Advice for parents: As your kids grow, help them learn to be independent. Be supportive while still giving them some responsibility for solving challenges they may face. Basically, do your best to teach them resilience. That is a gift that will serve them throughout their lives.

We’re proud to have Dr. Haynes as part of our team, helping Wichita families grow strong and healthy 💙

👇 Show Dr. Haynes some love in the comments or share a favorite memory below!

03/17/2026

🍀Happy St. Patrick’s Day from our team! 🍀

Wishing all our amazing patients and families a day filled with luck, laughter, and a little extra green. 💚✨

03/12/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight of the Week 🌟

This week's provider spotlight goes to Dr. Gregory Gherardini 💙

Here are a few fun facts about Dr. Gherardini:
✨ 14 years in Pediatrics 👨‍⚕️
✨Favorite part of his job: Being able to be a positive health influence early in a child’s life so they may grow to their best potential. And giving stickers after visits with high-fives! ⭐
✨Superpower as a provider: Truly listening to a child’s/parent’s concern(s) and not being dismissive of any symptoms or questions.
✨Favorite way to spend a day off: Grilling food for his family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧
✨Favorite kids cartoon: Anything 80’s: He-man, Thundercats, Transformers.
✨Bucket list item: Attending a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl 🏈
✨Favorite holiday: Christmas- nothing beats the lights, sounds, smells, and happiness. 🎄
✨Fun Facts: Huge Dallas Cowboys Fan. Loves taking Disney cruises with his family. Born in England.
✨Advice for parents: You are your child’s greatest advocate. Please never feel ashamed or hesitant to ask questions.

We’re proud to have Dr. Gherardini as part of our team! Help us celebrate him in the comments!💙👏

03/02/2026

👶👂 Understanding Ear Infections in Infants
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons babies visit the pediatrician—especially in the first two years of life. Because little ones can’t tell us when their ears hurt, it can feel overwhelming for parents to recognize the signs.

At Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates, our team helps families understand symptoms early and choose the right care for their child. 💙

Why are babies more prone?
Infants have shorter, more horizontal Eustachian tubes, making it easier for fluid to get trapped—especially during or after a cold. When bacteria or viruses grow in that fluid, an infection can develop. Daycare exposure, respiratory illnesses, and secondhand smoke can also increase risk.

Signs to watch for:
• Fussiness or increased crying
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeding difficulties
• Fever or congestion
• Fluid draining from the ear
(Ear pulling alone doesn’t always mean infection.)

How they’re diagnosed & treated:
Pediatricians examine the ear for fluid, redness, or bulging of the eardrum. Not all ear infections require antibiotics—some simply need monitoring and supportive care like fever management and hydration.

Why follow-up matters:
Recurring infections or ongoing fluid can impact hearing and speech if left untreated. Regular visits allow us to monitor and support your child’s healthy development.

If you’re concerned about your baby’s symptoms, we’re here to help every step of the way. 💙

🩺 Want more information? Check out the full blog on our site! https://www.midkspeds.com/blog/

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight of the Week 🌟

This week's provider spotlight goes to Dr. Debra Kinnane 💙

Here are a few fun facts about Dr. Kinnane:
✨32 years in Pediatrics 👩‍⚕️
✨Favorite part of her job: Kids are resilient and funny, they say cute/funny things all the time.
✨Superpower as a provider: Pediatrician Tingle (like a spidey sense)- 6th sense for detecting danger or risky/serious situations.🕷
✨Favorite way to spend a day off: Hanging out at the lake with family- going for a boat ride, listening to music, swimming, water sports.
✨Favorite kids cartoon: Winnie the Pooh 🐻🍯
✨Bucket list item: To see the Northern Lights in Norway
✨Favorite holiday: Christmas & Fourth of July (love the fireworks)🎆
✨Fun Facts: Born in Nigeria. Played basketball in middle school. True Crime Ju**ie. Currently learning Spanish (thanks Duolingo!)
✨Advice for parents: Take time to enjoy the little things because kids grow up so fast, be patient and its okay to be silly with your kids. ❤️

We are so lucky to have Dr. Kinnane on our team! Drop her some love in the comments below! 💙👏

02/20/2026

We’re excited to share that we’re now on Instagram! 🎉

Follow us at for:
✔️ Helpful pediatric tips
✔️ Provider spotlights
✔️ Office updates
✔️ Fun behind-the-scenes moments

Click here to follow us: https://www.instagram.com/midkspeds
We can’t wait to connect with you there!

7 Followers, 0 Following, 2 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates ()

02/19/2026

We are currently seeing an increase in positive influenza cases in our community. Flu season is here — let’s keep our kids protected!

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads easily in schools and daycare. It often comes on suddenly with high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some children may also have vomiting or diarrhea.

Most kids recover with rest, fluids, and fever control. However, watch closely for warning signs like trouble breathing, dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, fewer wet diapers), extreme sleepiness, chest pain, or a fever over 104°. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's symptoms, please contact our office.

💉 The best protection is the annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. It helps reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
🧼 Wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and keep sick children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Let’s work together to keep our families healthy this season!