A collaborative path to feeding freedom
We provide a team-based approach to guiding your child and family toward your ultimate feeding goals, with a focus on making oral intake relaxed and enjoyable
Fill out the form below for your complimentary discovery call!
Hi there! We are so glad you’re here and wanting to make the jump toward feeding freedom with your child. We are a female-owned and operated business who focus on meeting the goals of each individual child and family. The team that will support you on your tube weaning journey consists of two feeding therapists, a registered dietitian, a mental health therapist, and two board-certified pediatricians.
Meet Jen Hurst, MS, CCC-SLP
With nearly two decades of dedicated experience as a speech pathologist, I specialize in addressing feeding and swallowing disorders across all age groups. The driving force behind establishing Wean to Thrive was to break free from the constraints of large healthcare entities, ensuring my patients have unhindered access to tailored care.
My approach is rooted in the values of trust, rapport, and meeting individuals where they are. I believe in going above and beyond to enhance my clients' quality of life, employing a comprehensive skill set that includes expertise in FEES and vitalstim therapy. Committed to continuous learning and advancement, I bring a wealth of knowledge to each client interaction.
On a personal note, I reside in Brookside with my husband and two children, embracing a holistic approach to both professional and family life. It would be my privilege to guide you or your loved ones towards improved communication and enhanced well-being.
Meet Missy Davis, MS, RDN, LD
Missy Davis MS, RDN, LD, is a seasoned Clinical Registered Dietitian with nearly two decades of experience in nutrition. Graduating from Oklahoma State with a Bachelor of Science in 2005, she completed her dietetic internship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2008, she earned her Master's in Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University.
Throughout her career, Missy has contributed her expertise to various settings, including intensive care, collegiate, corporate health and wellness, geriatric care, nutrition counseling, and pediatric nutritional support. Specializing in complex parental and enteral nutritional needs, she excels in cases involving patients facing micro-nutrient deficiencies, complex autoimmune diseases and multi-system failures.
Missy stands out for her collaborative approach, actively seeking to work with medical professionals across various disciplines. Her strengths lie in effective communication, innovative problem-solving and she harbors a creative forward thinking mindset. Having provided care across diverse regions of the country, she is committed to addressing the whole person, considering not only the illness but also incorporating ethnic and religious needs.
As a mother of three young children, she understands the delicate balance of family, life, and career. Her hobbies include yoga, baking, and spending quality time with her family. Missy and her husband Jeff, of 17 years, have lived in various regions, including Oklahoma, Connecticut and Pennsylvania prior to settling in Kansas City 12 years ago.
Meet Dr. Lauren Hughes, MD, IBCLC
Dr. Hughes is a board-certified pediatrician, international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), breastfeeding medicine physician, wife, and a mother of three. She is the founder and lead physician of Bloom Pediatrics. Dr. Hughes started her practice as a way to provide quality, convenient, and accessible care to the children of Kansas City.
When Jen first approached Dr. Hughes about Wean To Thrive, she jumped at the opportunity to better serve this incredibly special population of children. She prides herself on her ability to connect with families and meet them where they are to best support their goals.
She lives in the Kansas City metro with her husband, Jordan, their oldest son, their twins, and their rescue pup.
In her spare time, Dr. Hughes is an avid Peloton rider, loves to read, crotchet, and go on bike rides with her family.
Meet Dr. Jodi VanGundy, MD
Dr. Jodi VanGundy is a board-certified pediatrician at Bloom Pediatrics. Dr. VanGundy lives in Kansas City with her husband, John, and her four children, Stella, James, and twins, Jack and Scarlett. In addition to providing exceptional care to her patients, she coaches her daughter’s competitive basketball team, de-stresses with exercise, loves to sing, cook/bake, and she loves going on adventure dates with her husband!
Meet Meg Hefferon, M.A., LPC, NCC
Meg received her M.A. in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University with an emphasis in clinical mental health, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Kansas. Meg has worked in a variety of treatment settings as a clinical mental health therapist, including hospitals, college campuses, K-12 schools and non-profit counseling centers. Meg specializes in working with families and individuals of all ages, though she particularly loves working with teenagers! Meg is experienced in treating clients presenting with trauma, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, school and work difficulties, relationship issues, developmental difficulties, and identity conflicts.
Meg’s client-centered approach to therapy emphasizes the patient’s experiences, past, and present, as valuable sources for discovering insight and addressing the future. Meg enjoys helping individuals develop a richer understanding of themselves and tailors her approach to each individual client’s needs and goals. Meg utilizes the treatment modalities of cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment theory, dialectical behavioral therapy and psychodynamic and experiential theories.
Meg also received a B.A in Secondary Education from Kansas State University, and her M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Missouri-KC. Before launching her counseling career, Meg had a variety of professional experiences including being a Division I coach, teaching university English classes abroad, as well as teaching and coaching at K-12 institutions locally.
When not serving clients and their families, Meg enjoys running, reading, and spending time outside with her family and dog, Bear.
Meet Traci A. Tyler, M.S., OTR/L
Traci graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She will complete her post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from the University of Montana in May of 2024. She has 24 years of experience working in various pediatric settings, including early intervention, hospital (NICU), home health, school, and teletherapy.
She is driven to help children and their families achieve their greatest potential through early intervention services. She uses play as a meaningful activity for the child to master skills used in daily routines. She encourages parents by sharing her knowledge to enhance their skills with strategies, information, resources, education, and hands-on training so that they feel confident in supporting their child’s needs.
She continues to provide education and mentorship to peers and colleagues through publications and seminars. Traci and her husband, Jeff, of 21 years, resided in Chicago and Cary, IL, before returning to the Kansas City Area where Traci was born and raised. Traci focuses on balancing her professional and personal career with four children and a chocolate labrador. Traci enjoys morning walks, a good cup of coffee, and reading. Traci is excited to partner with you and your family to support your journey to create a positive interaction at the table.
Meet Kerry Schieber
Kerry is a dedicated practice manager with 25 years in Kansas City, fostering an organized and friendly environment. As a mother of a medically complicated 12 -year-old, as well as four other children, she is happy to help others navigate complex therapy situations with their children. In her free time, Kerry enjoys running, volunteering at her kids' schools and helping coach her daughter's softball team.
We can help.
Fill out the form below to be contacted for a complimentary discovery call
Intake Consultation
$550
After your complimentary discovery call with our coordinator, they will decide if you meet the baseline criteria for an intake consultation. To participate in one of our programs, the intake consultation is required. This allows our team to review your child’s health history and ensure that they are safely eligible for one of our programs. The consultation includes the following:
A one-hour intake conversation with our registered dietitian to review your child’s current eating habits, their health history, and your goals
A review of your feeding videos by a feeding specialist
A review of your medical history by one of our board-certified pediatricians
After our intake consultation, our team will meet to review all submitted information and what program we recommend. Of course, the choice of program is entirely up to you. We also have add-on services available based on your individual requests and needs.
If, after the intake form has been reviewed, we (our team and your family) decide that this is not the right time for your child to begin a program, we will recommend alternative therapies to you based on your location. If, after 6 months or more, your child does become ready to start a program, you will need to purchase one hour ($200) with our registered dietitian to update an relevant medical history or feeding information.
Basic Program
$2050
This program is designed for families who would like a plan to be established that they carry out, with the safety net of our team available for guidance as needed. This program includes:
Personalized weaning/feeding plan
Six (6) hours of support to be divided, based on each child’s individual needs, between our feeding specialist, registered dietitian, and mental health therapist.
Two (2) hours of our board-certified pediatricians time split between meeting with the family to discuss health history, reviewing medical records, reviewing and approving all plans, and ordering/reviewing/discussing lab results.
Access to a private, members-only Facebook group run by our team that provides additional support for your family
A scale and measuring mat delivered to your home to closely monitor growth
It does not include the cost of labs or imaging, but we do provide discounted/wholesale prices
Enhanced Program
$2950
This program is designed for families who would like a little more guidance through their weaning program, especially those who have had difficult medical journeys. This program includes:
Personalized weaning/feeding plan
Ten (10) hours of support to be divided, based on each child’s individual needs, between our feeding specialist, registered dietitian, and mental health therapist.
Three (3) hours of our board-certified pediatricians time split between meeting with the family to discuss health history, reviewing medical records, reviewing and approving all plans, and ordering/reviewing/discussing lab results.
Access to a private, members-only Facebook group run by our team that provides additional support for your family
A scale and measuring mat delivered to your home to closely monitor growth
It does not include the cost of labs or imaging, but we do provide discounted/wholesale prices
Comprehensive Program
$3750
This program is designed for families who are anxious or stressed about tube weaning and want the maximum amount of support as they go through the weaning process. This program includes:
Personalized weaning/feeding plan
Fifteen (15) hours of support to be divided, based on each child’s individual needs, between our feeding specialist, registered dietitian, and mental health therapist.
Three (3) hours of our board-certified pediatricians time split between meeting with the family to discuss health history, reviewing medical records, reviewing and approving all plans, and ordering/reviewing/discussing lab results.
Access to a private, members-only Facebook group run by our team that provides additional support for your family
A scale and measuring mat delivered to your home to closely monitor growth
It does not include the cost of labs or imaging, but we do provide discounted/wholesale prices
Add on options
Each additional one (1) hour with a feeding specialist is $200
Each additional one (1) hour with our mental health therapist is $200
Each additional one (1) hour with our registered dietitian is $200
Each additional one (1) hour with a board-certified pediatrician is $250
Texting support is available with any of our specialists from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday is $75 per specialist per month
G-tube replacement for $100 + cost of g-tube (only available for local patients)
Lactation Consultations
Nursing your child can be difficult, but we can help! Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hughes
What to expect in an appointment with Dr. Hughes
As an IBCLC, Dr. Hughes is qualified to provide lactation assistance across the globe. Her ability to medically treat with prescriptions, however, is restricted to those states in which she is licensed.
A visit is $250 per hour and includes discussion of your concerns, review of your and your child’s medical history, evaluation of latch, weighted feeds (if parent has scale available), diagnosis of conditions related to breastfeeding, treatment and plan as appropriate for the diagnosis. Referrals for in-person evaluations, treatments, and/or procedures may be recommended.
Support group for parents of medically complex children
We are so excited to offer a support group for parents local to the Kansas City region who have the unique experience of raising children with complex medical needs. Meg Hefferon will lead this group.
Cost: $70 per session
Location: Bloom Pediatrics
2870 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103
Please fill out the form to be contacted by our therapist about the next support group or email info@sasskc.com