When your child is sick it can affect the whole family. Sleepless nights and worries can make everyone miserable and parents feel helpless not knowing what’s wrong or what to do about it. There is so much information available online and in books but it’s often confusing. New research supposedly shows what over-the-counter medicine is and isn’t safe but it can be difficult to sort out on your own. You can take the guessing out of the equation and call us for an appointment with your child’s doctor. Only an exam will show if there is an infection in your child’s ears, if it’s “just a cold” or if something else is going on. Even if our schedules are full, we will do our best to work you child in.  We understand, because most of us are parents ourselves. We have been in your shoes.

If you can’t take time off during regular office hours, you can opt to visit our QuickCare clinic which welcomes walk-in patients not only all day long but also during extended evening hours in addition to weekend coverage. See the QuickCare link for more information.

Babies and kids also need regular wellness exams. We recommend that you bring your child in at 10 days, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months and 15 months of age and yearly thereafter. Most of these visits coincide with the CDC recommended childhood vaccination schedule (see link).

What happens during a well-child visit? The nurse will measure and weigh your child and print out growth charts for your review. The physician will do a physical exam on your child and evaluate whether age-appropriate developmental mile stones have been reached. An early diagnose and intervention are important for many childhood problems that may not be obvious otherwise. After the exam your child will receive immunizations if needed. We try to make this process as short and painless as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s shots, please feel free to ask the doctor or nurse. We can provide you with detailed information about any of the immunizations we offer.

Regular wellness visits also help to develop a trusting relationship between your child and his/her health care team. This will promote healthy choices later on during adolescence and provide a safe place for your child to voice concerns or questions. We’ll care for your child from birth all the way through adulthood and old age. We believe this continuum is highly beneficial for strong relationships and personalized care.