Bluffton Pediatrics has purchased the Robert Neff building at 122 N. Jackson St., and plans to relocated there later this spring.

Beth Bish, CNP, pediatric nurse practitioner, shared information about the move during last Friday’s Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfas and talked with the Icon today.

“We anticipate to be in our new home by the mid-to-end of April,” she said. “Work is now underway to modify the building to serve as a medical office.”

Among the modifications include creation of two sound-proof examination rooms, a handicapped accessible parking space behind the building and an entrance ramp for handicapped persons.

The building was originally a doctor's office and was constructed for the practice of Dr. B.W. Travis, M.D., longtime Bluffton general practitioner.

Bluffton Pediatrics opened in January 2015 at 505 E. Jefferson St., Suite A, in the Diamond Manufacturing building.

“Our practice is growing. We are average seven to 10 new patients a week,” she said. Since it first opened, the practice has interacted in one way or another with each of the eight children’s hospitals in Ohio.

Christine Clymer, executive director of Bluffton Pediatrics, said that patients come from 14 Ohio counties, with most coming from Allen, Hardin, Hancock, Putnam and Wood.

The practice continues to see patients who range from birth to age 21.

“As an example of what we saw with patients today included ear infections, a croup patient and patients with upper respiratory conditions,” said Bish.

Since the office opened five years ago Bish has taken training and is certified as a pediatric mental health specialist.

She has added COPE, a cognitive behavioral therapy program, to her practice. It involves seven 30-minute sessions with children and teens.

“One of the best days of my life happened when a young person who was always getting in trouble at school because he was teased, “‘got in control of himself’ through these sessions,” she said.

Bluffton Pediatrics is involved in several youth-related activities in the community. One is a youth bike rodeo with the Bluffton police and Bike Crazy store on Main Street. This year’s third rodeo is Saturday, May 18, at the Buckeye park.

“I like to interact with Bluffton businesses,” she said, adding “I am deeply appreciative of how this community works together."

In addition to Clymer, Bluffton Pediatric staff includes medical office assistants Onalee Shepler and Alyssa Maag.

Beth and her husband, Jim, own the practice. Jim is a registered nurse with Bridge Home Health and Hospice, part of the Blanchard Valley Health System.

Bluffton Pediatric office hours are Mondays to Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to noon. The office phone number is 419-549-5865.