Business Details
Your Trusted Pediatric Care Provider in Independence & Lee's Summit
At Independence & Independence & Lee's Summit Pediatrics, we are a well-rounded team of Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Medical Staff dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients. Our office is committed to providing high-quality and convenient healthcare to newborns, children, and adolescents. With two convenient locations in Independence and Lee's Summit, we offer scheduled appointments and walk-in hours to ensure timely care for your child. Our team of 3 Physicians, 1 Physician Assistant, and 4 Nurse Practitioners provides comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to each patient's needs.We prioritize early diagnosis and intervention for conditions like ADHD, asthma, and developmental disorders, ensuring children receive timely treatment to thrive academically and socially. Our practice maintains strict vaccination protocols aligned with expert recommendations while respecting parental healthcare decisions. Through personalized treatment plans and transparent communication, we aim to build long-term trust with families while adhering to the highest medical standards.
Services
ADHD Management
Allergy Treatment
Asthma Care
Autism Screening
Constipation Treatment
Contraceptive Counseling
Diabetes Management
Ear Infection Treatment
Immunizations
Mental Health Consults
Highlights and features
- Board-certified pediatricians with specialized training in child healthcare
- Two convenient locations with extended walk-in hours for urgent care
- Comprehensive services from immunizations to complex condition management
- Telemedicine visits available for remote consultations
- Accepting most major insurance plans including Medicaid
What people say
Exceptional pediatric care
Knowledgeable, compassionate staff
Convenient walk-in hours
Thorough developmental screenings
Effective chronic condition management
Services
ADHD Management
Our board-certified pediatricians provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. We develop personalized treatment plans combining behavioral therapy, parental guidance, and medication management when appropriate. Monthly medication check-ins ensure treatment effectiveness while monitoring patient progress through standardized assessments.
Asthma Care
We specialize in diagnosing and managing childhood asthma through customized asthma action plans. Our approach combines trigger avoidance strategies, inhaler therapy, and regular symptom monitoring. Providers educate families on recognizing early warning signs and implementing emergency response protocols for acute asthma attacks.
Autism Screening
Our team conducts comprehensive autism spectrum disorder evaluations using standardized screening tools and developmental observations. Early detection programs focus on identifying communication delays and behavioral patterns while coordinating referrals to specialized therapies including speech and occupational therapy services.
Immunizations
We offer complete childhood immunization schedules with strict adherence to CDC guidelines. Our practice maintains detailed vaccination records and requires documentation for all administered vaccines. Providers follow evidence-based protocols for vaccine administration while addressing parental concerns through personalized consultations.
Telemedicine Visits
Remote medical consultations provide accessible care for non-urgent conditions through secure video conferencing. This service supports medication management follow-ups, minor illness assessments, and post-visit check-ins while maintaining the same high standards of care as in-person appointments.
People
Weldon Harris
MD, FAAP
Dr. Weldon Harris is a board-certified pediatrician with specialized training in childhood developmental disorders. He focuses on creating individualized care plans for chronic conditions while maintaining active involvement in patient education initiatives. Dr. Harris has practiced in the Kansas City area for over 15 years.
Sheela Ananth
MD, FAAP
Dr. Sheela Ananth specializes in adolescent medicine with particular expertise in contraceptive counseling and mental health management. She leads the practice's initiatives on teen wellness programs and provides culturally sensitive care for diverse patient populations in the region.
Caitlin Sunderman
MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant Caitlin Sunderman delivers comprehensive primary care with special attention to preventive health measures. She coordinates school physical programs and manages acute care visits with a focus on patient comfort and family education during treatment processes.
Shauni Lawrence
MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, CBC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Shauni Lawrence specializes in breastfeeding support and infant nutrition programs. She holds advanced certification in child behavioral consultations and leads the practice's early childhood development screening initiatives across both clinic locations.
Rhonda Luster
CPNP-PC, CNOR
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Rhonda Luster brings surgical nursing expertise to pediatric urgent care management. She specializes in sports physicals and injury assessments while maintaining certification in pediatric advanced life support protocols for emergency situations.
Questions
What are your walk-in clinic hours?
Independence location: Mon-Fri 8-10am & 4-6pm, Sat 8:30am-1:30pm. Lee's Summit: Mon-Fri 8am-11:30am & 1:30-3pm. Hours subject to change during holidays.
Do you accept my insurance plan?
We accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, and Missouri Medicaid plans. Contact our office to verify participation with your specific insurance carrier.
How do I request medication refills?
Complete our online refill request form monthly between appointments. Our team processes requests during regular business hours and contacts pharmacies directly for prescription transfers.
What constitutes a medical emergency?
Call 911 immediately for life-threatening situations. For urgent after-hours care, leave a message with our answering service to reach the on-call provider for acute medical concerns.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes, we provide virtual consultations for non-urgent medical issues, medication management follow-ups, and post-visit check-ins through our secure telemedicine platform.
What are your vaccination policies?
We follow CDC guidelines for childhood immunizations. Parents refusing vaccines must provide health department exemption forms. We require complete vaccination records for all patients receiving care at our practice.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Rada R.
May 23, 2022
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By FAR the worst pediatric clinic I've ever brought my daughter in. Be ready to wait over 45 minutes for your kiddo to be seen. Receptionists are extremely rude and disrespectful. In many occasions I've had to call the clinic because they always fail to send my daughter's prescription over to my pharmacy even when they say they will. Unfortunately, my family overall experience at this location is been greatly bad.
Adrian Klein
May 20, 2022
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Big issue with a policy they have and the attitude of the front desk worker. Showed up for our two kids' Dr appointments at 920 assuming that was the start. We got the times wrong and our first kid's appointment was at 9, the second appointment was 920. Okay we will reschedule the first and get the 2nd in right? No. Because we missed the first, they would now not see the second. We asked if we could just get our first in to have her cough looked at and still no.
The lady at the front desk told us (with quite an attitude) we could either wait around all day in hopes a time opened up, reschedule both for next week, or go to urgent care. Seems ridiculous that because the first child was missed they won't see the 2nd who was there right at appointment time. Disappointed with this policy and hope to see it changed. Our previous experiences have been good so feel bad leaving a low review but it's against the policy not the wonderful PA Caitlin Sunderland we see Editing from 2 to a 4 because despite policy and a front desk issue, Caitlin Sunderland is magic with the kids and my wife. She is just awesome.
The lady at the front desk told us (with quite an attitude) we could either wait around all day in hopes a time opened up, reschedule both for next week, or go to urgent care. Seems ridiculous that because the first child was missed they won't see the 2nd who was there right at appointment time. Disappointed with this policy and hope to see it changed. Our previous experiences have been good so feel bad leaving a low review but it's against the policy not the wonderful PA Caitlin Sunderland we see Editing from 2 to a 4 because despite policy and a front desk issue, Caitlin Sunderland is magic with the kids and my wife. She is just awesome.
Mckinna Thompson
Feb 25, 2022
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I take all four of my daughters here. I love how there is 2 offices to pick from making it much easier to get in. Dana has been working there since I was a kid as I also went to this pediatric practice. I give her a call and she always does her best to get me in asap! She's so kind abs always asks all the right questions to make sure I'm being seen for the right reasons and takes all the correct precautions to not put others at risk. (Covid testing before entry ect.) She's the sweetest!
She's so friendly and always remembers me and my girls. I like to be scheduled where ever Caitlin or Liz are working for the appointment as they are who I prefer my kids see. They are very attention to detail and I feel they take their job very seriously and listens to my concerns I have on behalf of my child's health. They don't make me feel I'm wrong as a mom and are very reassuring. I love the relationship I've built with this practice and how they really remember you abs you don't feel like just another person to them.
She's so friendly and always remembers me and my girls. I like to be scheduled where ever Caitlin or Liz are working for the appointment as they are who I prefer my kids see. They are very attention to detail and I feel they take their job very seriously and listens to my concerns I have on behalf of my child's health. They don't make me feel I'm wrong as a mom and are very reassuring. I love the relationship I've built with this practice and how they really remember you abs you don't feel like just another person to them.
Brandon Henderson
Feb 13, 2022
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We have been taking our two kids here for several years and until recently it was great. On our last visit our daughter had a swollen eye. Doc said he would send a script that day. Checked all day at several locations and they never received one. Called the next day to get the script. After calling back 6 times I got someone to answer. They said they would have the nurse call. We haven't received a call yet a week later and the script never showed.
Currently our son has the flu and we have lots of questions about school, how contagious, etc. Called the nurse line and left a message as requested. "Our son is extremely sick right now, what do we do about our daughter who isn't sick, should we be around people outside of the house?" Etc, etc. Gave my phone number and my wife's. No call back. Once I had to call the Lee's summit location to ask if they could get the independence location to turn off their out of office answering service. 45 minutes after they were open. It seems that something changed within the last year, and not for the better.
Currently our son has the flu and we have lots of questions about school, how contagious, etc. Called the nurse line and left a message as requested. "Our son is extremely sick right now, what do we do about our daughter who isn't sick, should we be around people outside of the house?" Etc, etc. Gave my phone number and my wife's. No call back. Once I had to call the Lee's summit location to ask if they could get the independence location to turn off their out of office answering service. 45 minutes after they were open. It seems that something changed within the last year, and not for the better.
Michaela Bishop
Feb 08, 2022
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My fiance and I both went to Independence Pediatrics when we were kids we both saw Dr. Harris 20+ years ago. Now we have our own kiddo and didn't hesitate to find a place! We love Liz (who our child sees)! She is amazing! She makes talking about our newborn so easy! From his circumcision to his umbilical cord or just his eating habits she makes it easy! We have her direct line in case we have any questions that can't wait until the next day!
She has gone above and beyond to help keep our little man healthy and we absolutely appreciate Independence Pediatrics for everything they do for us! We couldn't have asked for a better Pediatrician!
She has gone above and beyond to help keep our little man healthy and we absolutely appreciate Independence Pediatrics for everything they do for us! We couldn't have asked for a better Pediatrician!
Katie Howard
Jan 26, 2022
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If I could give zero stars I would. The receptionists at both locations are rude and sometimes disrespectful. The doctor (Sheila Anaanth) is judgmental and never gives all the information needed. My wife and I adopted twins. Every single appointment she questions our ability to parent and has even asked us inappropriate questions regarding the adoption. On top of that we had a follow up appointment scheduled for my 5 month old who was released from the hospital due to respiratory issues and when we arrived, the office door was locked and no one was there.
We called and the phone went straight to the answering service who was also confused as to what was happening. My spouse even received a confirmation text as to the appointment day, time, and location. We received no call to reschedule or any updates as to why they would have been closed. They make sure to put a clause in the text about showing up to your appointment but it seems as they are the ones who do not show. We loved our nurse practitioner after we requested to no longer see Dr. Anaanth but will not be returning to this office.
We called and the phone went straight to the answering service who was also confused as to what was happening. My spouse even received a confirmation text as to the appointment day, time, and location. We received no call to reschedule or any updates as to why they would have been closed. They make sure to put a clause in the text about showing up to your appointment but it seems as they are the ones who do not show. We loved our nurse practitioner after we requested to no longer see Dr. Anaanth but will not be returning to this office.
Hex Darkwood
Dec 16, 2021
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Absolutely terrible office staff in Independence. Made zero effort for follow-ups on my daughter after we kept requesting results from the test that took them over 2 months to even schedule. Don't go there unless you like to advocate for yourself constantly, miss refills and appointments, and your doctor could care less about your child's health.
