Melissa Colbath, MD is a Pediatrician practicing at her clinic in Temple, TX. She is a trusted local provider on kellysearch.com, registered with The Texas Medical Board and practicing under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Physicians - Medical Practice Act). Dr. Colbath is dedicated to providing comprehensive Pediatric care, focusing on the well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. General Pediatricians are a child's primary healthcare partner, providing continuous care from infancy through young adulthood, managing routine well-child visits, common illnesses, chronic conditions, and coordinating specialist care as needed to ensure optimal health and development. She is currently welcoming new patients, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (254) 724-5437.
Dr. Colbath brings over 15 years of dedicated experience and a wealth of clinical knowledge to her practice, having earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2007. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. Her approach emphasizes collaborative care, actively listening to parents and caregivers to establish shared healthcare goals and support families in preventive health and when challenges arise. She is a board-certified pediatrician in Temple with an interest in providing education to medical students and residents. Dr. Colbath is a member of, and certified by, the American Board of Pediatrics. She enjoys playing a part in providing healthcare to children from infancy to adulthood and helping support families in preventing disease as well as helping them when it does strike. She is an active listener and pairs with parents and caregivers to work on healthcare goals as a team. Dr. Colbath provides consultations primarily in English.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Colbath is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Colbath's comprehensive approach to pediatric care centers on building strong, trusting relationships with families. She provides consistent, accessible care throughout childhood and adolescence, addressing routine check-ups, illnesses, and chronic conditions while proactively coordinating specialist referrals when necessary. Her commitment to personalized treatment plans ensures optimal health and development for each child under her care.
By working together, you and Dr. Colbath can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Baylor Scott & White Health Plan
- BestChoice PPO
- Blue Advantage HMO
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Blue Essentials HMO
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Colbath offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Bronchitis: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and your pediatrician can diagnose it and recommend treatment to ease symptoms like coughing and wheezing.
- Fever: Fevers are a common childhood symptom, and your pediatrician can assess your child's fever, determine the cause, and advise on appropriate management.
- Bedwetting: Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is when a child wets the bed at night, and pediatricians can help identify underlying causes and develop strategies for managing it.
- Ringworm: Ringworm is a fungal infection easily diagnosed and treated by pediatricians, often requiring topical antifungal creams.
- Bronchiolitis: Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection in babies and young children, causing inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, and pediatricians provide care and treatment to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
- Anaphylaxis: Pediatricians play a vital role in diagnosing and managing anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction, by teaching you how to identify triggers and use epinephrine.
- Lice: Itching and scratching are common signs of head lice; your pediatrician can diagnose this condition and offer treatments to eliminate the lice and relieve your child's discomfort.
- Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Children with eczema, a common skin condition causing dry, itchy skin, can find relief and management strategies through regular check-ups and treatment plans created by their pediatrician.
- Otitis Media: Otitis media, or a middle ear infection, is a common childhood illness causing ear pain and often fever, and pediatricians diagnose and treat it with medication or watchful waiting.
- Conduct Disorder: If a child repeatedly acts aggressively, defies rules, or shows little regard for others, they might have conduct disorder, a condition pediatricians help assess and treat.
- Viral Infection: Viral infections, like colds and the flu, are common in children, and pediatricians diagnose and manage these illnesses, often providing supportive care to help your child feel better.
- Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis): Your pediatrician can help if your child has pinkeye, a common eye infection causing redness, itching, and discharge.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Colbath offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Immunization Administration: Your pediatrician will give your child shots to build immunity against preventable illnesses like measles and polio.
- Wellness Examination: During a wellness exam, your doctor will assess your child's physical health, give immunizations, and discuss any concerns you may have.
- HIV Screening: HIV screening involves a blood test, and the results will help doctors determine the next steps in care.
- Desensitization: For children with phobias or anxieties, desensitization therapy uses slow exposure to help them overcome their fears and feel more comfortable.
- Allergy Skin Testing: This test uses tiny needles or drops of suspected allergens on your child's skin to find out what triggers their allergic reactions, like rashes or breathing problems.
- Cryotherapy for Warts: For wart removal, cryotherapy involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen.
- Gardasil® Vaccine: This vaccine protects against several strains of HPV, a common virus that can cause cervical, anal, and other cancers.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Colbath is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from their pediatrician, a patient successfully managed their bronchitis symptoms, allowing them to return to their normal activities quickly and comfortably.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and guidance on managing their fever, a young patient felt significantly better and returned to their normal activities quickly. The pediatrician's advice helped the family understand how to best support the child's recovery.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized strategies from their pediatrician, a child successfully managed their bedwetting, gaining confidence and improved sleep.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Clinic - Temple West
6684 W Adams Ave, Temple, TX, 76502
Phone: (254) 724-5437
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- University of Texas Medical Branch (Medical School) - 2007
- American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatrics)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving Pediatric care with Dr. Colbath:
- What is the difference between a Pediatrician and a Family Medicine doctor for my child?
- Pediatricians are specialists trained exclusively in the care of children from birth through young adulthood, focusing on their physical, emotional, and social health. While family medicine doctors can treat children, a pediatrician's practice is entirely dedicated to children's needs, providing in-depth expertise in childhood illnesses and developmental stages.
- Why are well-child visits important even if my child isn't sick?
- Well-child visits are crucial for tracking growth and development, ensuring scheduled immunizations, and performing necessary screenings. They also provide a vital opportunity for parents to discuss concerns about nutrition, sleep, safety, and behavior with Dr. Colbath.
- Can a pediatrician help with behavioral issues like ADHD or tantrums?
- Dr. Colbath and our practice are trained to evaluate a child's behavioral and mental health. We can provide an initial assessment for conditions like ADHD and offer parenting strategies. If further testing or support is needed, we can refer families to child psychologists or developmental specialists.
- My child gets ear infections frequently. Is this something you handle?
- Yes. Diagnosing and treating ear infections is one of the most common things a pediatrician does. Dr. Colbath can determine the cause, prescribe antibiotics if necessary, and discuss strategies to reduce recurrence or determine if a referral to an ENT specialist is needed.
- My baby seems to be crying all the time. Can you help with issues like colic or reflux?
- We understand how distressing it can be when a baby cries frequently. Dr. Colbath can examine your baby to rule out any underlying medical issues and provide strategies to soothe the infant. She can also discuss potential dietary changes or medications to help manage conditions like colic or reflux.
- How do you manage chronic conditions like asthma or food allergies?
- Dr. Colbath works with families to create a personalized action plan for managing chronic conditions like asthma or food allergies. This includes managing daily medications, providing prescriptions for emergency medications, and educating the family on avoiding triggers. She also coordinates care with specialists like allergists or pulmonologists as needed.
- Does my child need an antibiotic every time they have a cold or a cough?
- No, antibiotics are not needed for every cold or cough. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, not viral ones like the common cold. Overusing antibiotics can be harmful. Dr. Colbath will carefully evaluate your child to determine if an antibiotic is necessary and will not prescribe one unnecessarily.
- What is involved in a developmental screening?
- A developmental screening is a routine part of well-child visits. It involves simple questions and checklists to assess how your child is progressing in language, movement, thinking, and social skills. This helps us celebrate milestones and identify any areas where extra support might be beneficial.
6684 W Adams Ave
Temple TX 76502
Phone: (254) 724-5437
Melissa Colbath, MD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Physicians - Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Medical Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1255667499
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Medical Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Melissa Colbath are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.