AUSTIN – Sparrow Pediatrics Group is prepared to serve residents of Hays County, following its opening in November 2024.
“When I was deciding on a career path, I really loved the idea of combining my love for science and the body with being able to help facilitate healing and the human resilience in the patients I was interacting with,” said Dr. Christy Jensen of Sparrow Pediatrics Group.
Jensen recalled pediatrics calling to her during her medical residency. She stated that she found it amazing how children would be sick one day and find the strength and motivation to run around the hospital the next.
She began her career doing inpatient pediatrics in the hospital, but transitioned to office-based care the past few years: “I really just enjoy being able to have a little bit more freedom and autonomy with taking care of my patients, whereas in the past, I’ve always worked for these larger corporations, where I’ve been pretty limited with how I want to practice, how I want to do my schedule and just having the feeling of being rushed through a lot of my patient encounters,” Jensen explained.
Recently, she discovered direct primary care, which allows more time with patients and the ability to build a closer relationship through direct access to Jensen whenever they need her. So, they can text or call her any time they have questions or concerns. This discovery led to the opening of her practice, Sparrow Pediatrics Group, located in FUSE Workspace Dripping Springs at 13341 West US 290, Building 2, Austin.
Part of the opportunity to treat patients the way she believes in is by being more holistic.
“For example, I can avoid treating a baby with antibiotics if I know that I can text the mom the next day and follow up … A lot of times if you’re in a busy office you just don’t always know that you’re able to know the family and follow up with them,” said Jensen.
The private practice offers services from birth through college, including lactation support for mothers, as well as tests for flu and strep throat.
Though Sparrow Pediatrics Group does not take insurance, it does offer a monthly payment plan, starting at $100 per month per child. According to its website, for children ages five and older, it is $100 a month, $125 for two to five years old and $150 from birth to 23 months old.
“The monthly membership covers basically all of my time and anything that I’m able to do in my office and so, by avoiding insurance, I’m not required to bill for my services. So, that means I can handle a lot of things, like rashes and different fevers and illnesses via texting or phone calls. Patients aren’t always having to come into the office for every little thing,” said the doctor.
Potential clients can also schedule a free meet and greet to visit Jensen and discuss her practice and philosophies prior to committing to her service.
The doctor’s future goals include offering more services for those looking for more behavioral support, functional medicine and testing panels, but she wants to maintain a small enough client list to continue providing personal and adequate time for her patients, without growing too large.
“I think being able to have personalized care for your child from a physician who actually has the time to get to know the child, as well as the family dynamics, is really important for just maintaining lifelong [and] holistic health for the child and family … Accessibility is a huge value of my practice, meaning that my patients have no qualms about just texting me for even a minor question and giving them the peace of mind of knowing that I’m always available if something comes up,” concluded Jensen.
Although she makes herself available when patients need her, Sparrow Pediatrics Group official hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, visit www.sparrowpediatricsgroup.com
