Dr. Shelley C. Springer, MD, JD, FAAP

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Specialist | Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

3/5(9)

121 Hill Cir W Big Lake MN, 55309 Show map

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About

Dr. Shelley Springer is a Neonatal-Perinatal Physician practicing in Big Lake, MN. Dr. Springer cares for the critically ill newborn and premature infants. Neonatal-Perinatal Physicians treat conditions such as breathing disorders, birth defects, infections, and any other life-threatening medical problems. They coordinate with their young patients families and other physicians to determine appropriate treatment.

Education and Training

Medical College of Ohio medical degree 1994

Medical University of South Carolina Master's Degree 0

Newport University Doctor of Naturopathy degree 0

Board Certification

pediatrics

American Board of Pediatrics

neonatal-perinatal medicine

Provider Details

FemaleEnglish

Dr. Shelley C. Springer, MD, JD, FAAP

Dr. Shelley C. Springer, MD, JD, FAAP's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Why does my baby urinate every hour?
Yes. Before an individual develops voluntary control of his/her bladder, usually around age 2-3 years or later, the bladder automatically contracts to expel urine when it reaches its capacity. For a 4-month-old, that capacity is tiny, and so the baby urinates very frequently. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How long does it take for a child to get over bronchitis?
"Bronchitis" is the medical term for a cough that involves the "bronchi" or large airways. It is nonspecific as to the cause, which can be inflammatory, or infectious (either bacterial or viral). What is causing the cough is critical to appropriate treatment and expected duration, etc. Antibiotics, such as Zithromax or amoxicillin, are indicated ONLY for documented bacterial coughs, which are extremely rare. Viral coughs resolve on their own, and inflammatory coughs, such as from asthma or allergies, are addressed by treating the underlying cause. Your pediatrician can determine the cause of the cough based on physical exam and recommend the appropriate treatment plan. Typical viral coughs, which are the most common, can last for 2-3 weeks or more. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How long should a child have a cough before seeing a doctor?
Coughing is never "normal" and its causes can range from mild/self limited to severe. There is no "one answer" when it comes to childhood coughing, so checking with your pediatrician is always the best idea. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How can I test my baby's hearing?
Every state in the US requires that newborn infants undergo a special hearing screen at birth to test for congenital hearing loss. The details of that screening, including when it's done, the type of equipment used, how to interpret the results, what constitutes a "PASS" or a "FAIL," and what happens "next" is determined by State law. Infants who pass should then have their hearing (and all other aspects of their growth and development) closely monitored in accordance with the "Bright Futures" recommendations by their pediatricians from their first days after discharge from the hospital, all the way through until adulthood. This includes hearing. After the initial newborn period, it is very difficult to assess a child's hearing until s/he is old enough to respond to the "ear phone" test -- usually around kindergarten. Prior to that, a complete assessment of BOTH conductive and sensorineural hearing (the only *complete* hearing testing) must be done under sedation by a specialized pediatric audiologist, usually at a children's hospital. Tests of only the *conductive* portion of hearing are commonly performed by ancillary organizations such as daycares, etc., but do not adequately test the entire hearing mechanism, which must include sensorineural. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How long does it take for a growth plate injury to heal?
"Growth plate injuries" are a widely diverse category, each with different prognoses. Growth plate injuries are categorized by the Salter-Harris classification system. What class of injury, where it's located, and the age of your child will all affect the healing time and the prognosis for full recovery. Discuss your child's specific injury with your pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
When should kids start taking vitamins?
Supplementation with vitamin D is recommended for all persons, starting at birth and continuing throughout your lifetime. Infants should receive 400 IU daily, and most formulas do not provide that amount. At 12 months of age, infants should be tested for anemia, with iron supplementation recommended for values < 11.5 mg/dl. Many parents chose to switch from pure Vit D to a MVI w/iron. Other vitamin supplements are not necessary for a normal healthy child who eats a diet filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and animal proteins. Children with alternative dietary habits, such as gluten free, vegan, etc., or which GI health issues should speak to their doctors about necessary supplements. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
What causes lower back pain in children?
It is not "normal" for children to have back pain, and, if they do, it is extremely important to identify the cause -- whether that be pathophysiologic or pathopsychologic. As with all "symptoms" in children, determining the cause of the symptom is critical to identify potentially dangerous and sometimes life-threatening conditions that may exist, or just to provide the proper treatment. Talk to your pediatrician. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
When should I be concerned about my child's night sweats?
Night sweats are not a common complaint among this age group. I would discuss your concerns with your pediatrician, who will inquire about other signs and symptoms that could be helpful in determining the cause -- and the treatment -- for these. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
What causes coughing during the night?
Coughing is the way in which your body clears your airway of potentially harmful or obstructing substances. It is lifesaving and the ability to cough is a key neurologic function called "protecting your airway" -- it is essential to good health. As with all things, the reason WHY your child coughs during the night is key. If s/he has allergies or an upper respiratory infection that's causing mucus and phlegm in the back of the nose and throat, s/he will cough to expel those secretions. If your child has asthma, nighttime coughing is a sign that the asthma is not well controlled. Sometimes inappropriate coughing can be a nervous tic or other type of abnormal reflex. READ MORE
What can I give my 6 year old for tummy ache?
As with most pain, it's important to know the cause before just treating the symptoms. Especially in children, doing so could mask a serious condition and delay definitive treatment. Stomachaches in children are common, and can be have a multitude of causes. Important details are how often and for how long does the pain last, is this an acute finding or is it chronic. Are there other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss. How are the child's bowel movements? Children of this age often manifest nerves, stress, worry, school avoidance, etc., as abdominal pain. It's important to note that, although psychogenic in origin, the PAIN is REAL and should not be dismissed or ignored. Adult medications such as pepto bismol, alka selzer, etc., should NOT be given to children. As always, speak to your pediatrician about identifying the cause of the pain first, before selecting a treatment. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How do you treat a coronavirus fever in a child?
Fever from an infection is treated (or not treated) the same way, regardless of its cause. Fever is the body's natural response to infection and is part of the immune system's efforts to cure the infection. The fever, by itself, is not dangerous (although the infection that's causing it might be). Medications that decrease a fever also treat pain/discomfort. They do that by actually blocking the body's natural immune response, and that, at least theoretically, may also interfere with the natural healing process. Therefore, it's important to give antifever medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen when your child is complaining of *pain*, and not just because the numbers on a thermometer are > 100.4. Having a fever also helps your doctor understand what's going on with your child's health, so blocking it with medication takes that important tool away from your doctor. Treating the underlying cause is always the best way to approach illness in children. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
When should I take my child to the doctor for a sore throat?
Sore throat that lasts longer than 1-2 days, especially if severe, or accompanied by fever > 101 or great difficulty swallowing could be strep throat or another serious infection. Your doctor can -- and should -- test for strep throat and only treat with antibiotics if that test is POSITIVE. New DNA technology for in-office strep tests is very accurate, so there is no longer a need to send for culture to confirm -- a negative test indicates absence of disease and should not be treated. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How can I soothe my child's sore throat?
For most sore throats, hot liquids are more soothing than cold. Gargling w/hot salt water can also soothe the discomfort and, depending on the cause, may hasten healing. While most sore throats are not bacterial, "strep throat" can be easily diagnosed and should be appropriately treated to minimize the risk of serious consequences from untreated or partially treated strep throat, such as rheumatic fever and post-strep glomeulonephritis. Your pediatrician can make that diagnosis. It is important to remember that VIRAL infections (most sore throats that test NEG for strep) cannot be treated with antibiotics, so a prescription for an antibiotic is inappropriate. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How to protect an infant from getting covid-19?
You protect your infant from Covid 19 the same way that you protect her from all of the other seasonal respiratory viruses that we see every year. Breastfeeding is the best way to help your infant be healthy and grow into a healthy child/adult. If someone is ill with respiratory symptoms, that person should stay away from others, including your infant. As she gets older, feed her a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, stay away from processed or packaged foods. Make sure that she gets lots of fresh air and sunshine and is age-appropriately physically active every day. Avoid all exposures to tobacco smoke. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
How can I help my 5 year old stop coughing?
Cough can be caused by a wide variety of conditions -- each one with its own special approach. The most important next step will be to determine the CAUSE of the cough, which is crucial to determining the proper treatment. See your pediatrician for further evaluations. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
Is a dry cough dangerous?
Coughs may be serious or not-so much, so it's prudent to see your pediatrician if your child has a persistent cough or one that "bothers" him/her. This is true regardless of whether the cough is "wet" or "dry." A dry cough may be from allergy, asthma, environmental particulates or pollutants, or more serious conditions related to his/her eating or swallowing. Your pediatrician can help. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
Can an eye infection spread to the ear?
Both "eye infections" and "ear infections" can be caused by a variety of organisms, both bacterial and viral. Certain specific organisms are notorious for involving both locations, others not so much. Your pediatrician should be able to help decide what is going on with your son and make the appropriate recommendations for treatment. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
Can teething cause coughing?
Symptoms that are typically associated with teething in a 6-month-old would include lots of drooling, fever, fussiness, diarrhea often that immediately causes a bad diaper rash, not sleeping well, and/or tugging at one or both ears. Coughing is NOT one of the symptoms typically associated with teething, but could be related to excessive oral secretions, perhaps. It is always challenging to distinguish teething symptoms from those of a bona fide infectious process such as upper respiratory infection or ear infection. Your pediatrician can help. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
Can an ear infection cause eye discharge?
Sometimes certain organisms are known to cause both "conjunctivitis" (an eye infection) as well as an "otitis" (an ear infection). Your pediatrician should always look in your child's ears whenever s/he has a conjunctivitis, because the combination may require different medication than just one or the other. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE
What to do if my child has knee pain?
Knee/leg pain in a young child is not straight forward. As with most things in children, it is unlikely to be anything serious, but there are very serious and potentially life-threatening (but very rare) conditions that can present this way. The best advice is to see your pediatrician. Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

Management of newly diagnosed type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents.

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Pediatrics - Fellow

Fellowships

Medical University of South Carolina neonatal-perinatal medicine

Dr. Shelley C. Springer, MD, JD, FAAP's Practice location

Dr. Shelley Springer, MD

121 Hill Cir W -
Big Lake, MN 55309

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New patients: 763-263-0460

Fax: 763-262-6688

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

940 E 3rd St SUITE 205 -
Casper, Wyoming 82601

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New patients: 307-577-4260

Dr. Shelley C. Springer, MD, JD, FAAP's reviews

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Patient Experience with Dr. Springer

3.0

Based on 9 reviews

Dr. Shelley C. Springer, MD, JD, FAAP has a rating of 3 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 9 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Specialist in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.

Media Releases

Get to know Pediatrician and Neonatologist Dr. Shelley C. Springer, who serves patients in Casper, Wyoming.

Dr. Springer is a caring and compassionate pediatrician and neonatologist who is dedicated to taking care of children from before birth to 18 years old (and sometimes later!). She started Casper Children’s Center in Casper, Wyoming in 2014, and is passionate about giving children a chance at living a happy and healthy life.

“My husband and I came to Casper to bring compassionate, contemporary, accessible pediatric care to the region’s newborns and children. As the state’s first neonatologist, I can improve access and level of care for mothers with high-risk pregnancies, keeping that care local. We have broadened the scope of care not only for newborns, but for children of all ages” expressed the doctor.

Graduating with her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in 1994, Dr. Springer completed her residency in pediatrics and her fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her Master’s degree in Biometry and Epidemiology at the Medical University of South Carolina and her Doctor of Law degree at Newport University in 2012. She is now completing her Doctor of Naturopathy degree and follows an integrative medicine paradigm in her practice..

With a passion for her profession, she is board-certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The mission of the ABP is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), Dr. Springer works closely with them to develop Clinical Practice Guidelines and promote evidence-based medicine in pediatrics. She is a consulting epidemiologist for the AAP and founder of It’s For the Children Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting St. Christopher’s Home for Neglected and Abused Children in St. Kitts, West Indies.

Holding medical licenses in 25+ states, she has worked in every hospital setting – from solo-practice country hospitals to major Level IV NICUs at cutting-edge academic institutions — until forming Casper Children’s Center in 2014. She also remains affiliated with Wyoming Medical Center in Casper and Memorial Hospital of Converse County, in Douglas, WY..

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people be under pediatric care up to the age of 22. Pediatricians provide medical care to people ranging in age from newborns to young adults. They are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat children with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses through all of their developmental stages, as they grow and mature.

Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill, or premature newborn. It is a hospital-based specialty and is practiced in neonatal intensive care units. Neonatologists generally diagnose and treat newborns with conditions such as breathing disorders, infections, and birth defects, as well as coordinating care and medically managing newborns born prematurely, critically ill, or in need of surgery.

On a more personal note, Dr. Springer has three children, all delivered while she was a medical student. She has experienced first-hand the challenges of working mothers. She knows the importance of being able to reach your pediatrician when your child is ill and the struggles when family and career obligations collide. She is committed to embracing new knowledge and technology when it makes lives better while holding onto traditional values. A believer in the power of Mother Nature, she does not hesitate to intervene when necessary.