Jennifer Dilts, DO

Education

After graduating with a B.S. in biology from Wake Forest University, I earned my Doctor of Osteopathic medicine (D.O.) and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degrees from AT Still University in Kirksville, Missouri. I completed my pediatric residency at Riley Hospital for Children / Indiana University in 2005.

I cared for children as a general pediatrician for over a decade before pursuing additional training and certification in both headache medicine and medical acupuncture. I am board-certified in pediatrics (American Academy of Pediatrics), headache medicine (United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties), and medical acupuncture (American Board of Medical Acupuncture).

Additionally, I have completed additional training in the diagnosis and management of ADHD, anxiety, and depression through the American Academy of Pediatrics and the REACH Institute. I am also certified in pediatric hypnosis (National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute) and have training in educational scholarship (teaching medical learners). I have experience as a principal investigator in multiple clinical headache trials.

Choosing Direct Specialty Care

Prior to joining Bloom Pediatrics, I was director of Children’s Mercy Kansas City’s Comprehensive Headache Clinic and associate director of Children’s Mercy’s headache fellowship program. During my time in academic medicine, my headache and acupuncture research won several national awards.

I transitioned to direct specialty care at Bloom Pediatrics in 2023. I knew that I needed to spend more time with my patients in a relaxed environment. Providing personalized “high touch” care yields the best results, and my patients deserve this! I want to see patients when they need and want to be seen. My membership model allows me to develop close relationships with my patients and their parents. Additionally, this model of care allows me to offer care that goes well beyond medications. Our longer appointment times give us time to discuss and explore all treatment options, including acupuncture, lifestyle changes (sleep, nutrition, hydration, physical activity, and relaxation) and neuromodulation (devices that “calm the nerves”). I work closely with families to recommend school accommodations and ensure that each child has a personalized care plan. My small patient panel allows me to provide the care that all patients deserve.

What Drives Me

I love “going deep” with patients. I value real genuine connections with my patients and their families. This involves knowing what they like to do for fun and what their strengths and challenges are. Additionally, I love to teach families and patients about how the brain works. Direct specialty care is the perfect fit for me since my small patient panel allows me to spend as much time with patients as they need. I like providing acupuncture because I know that not all patients want or need daily medications for pain. Acupuncture can also improve anxiety, depression, and sleep. As a migraineur myself, I know firsthand how frustrating pain can be. I also knows the joy of finding a great treatment plan that works, and I love being able to provide this to my patients!

I value practicing medicine in community. My day-to-day partners are Dr. Lauren Hughes and Dr. Jodi VanGundy. Learn more about them here! Additionally, I value my connections at the Meg Foundation and at the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA). I volunteer my time as an executive board member for both of these organizations because they’re both really awesome. The Meg Foundation “empowers families with the skills, strategies, and support they need to manage pain and medical anxiety”. My work with the AAMA helps to further evidence-based acupuncture treatments. As chair of the group’s national conference in 2023 and 2024, I helped to bring world-class educators together to ensure that patients are receiving top-notch acupuncture care.

I have been married to Jason for 20 years and we have three fabulous teen daughters. The flexibility of direct care allows me to see patients when they need and want to be seen, while also making it possible for me to get to my daughters’ cross country meets, band concerts, and volleyball games. In my free time I love to check out new KC restaurants, read, travel, and spend time outside.