April 2021
This Month's Newsletter

We are well into April and starting to see so many flowers and trees blooming. What a great time to get outside!
 
In this month's newsletter, we bring attention to the importance of checking in with your teen, especially considering the challenges over the last year. In addition, we recognize Earth Day and Keep America Beautiful month with ideas on how to teach your children environmental activities. Further, we outline the rationale behind an annual well visit and how it can be preventative for your child's health. We continue to include information on our Covid-19 office procedures, services we offer and complimentary new mom and baby classes.
 
The Pediatric Center is here for all of your urgent medical needs, even when the office is closed. There is always someone available from our practice. All you have to do is call: 908-508-0400.
 
Our goal is to further develop our relationship with our patients and create an open forum. We welcome your comments and ideas. If you would like to see something included in this newsletter, please email us at pedcenter.com@gmail.com with ideas only, please no medical requests.
 
As always, we welcome you to share your experience with our practitioners with an online review. 
 
Sincerely,
The Pediatric Center Staff
Is Your Teen Stressed?
Stress, fear and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic can wear anyone down, but teens may have an especially tough time coping emotionally right now. Feeling depressed, hopeless, anxious, or angry during the COVID-19 pandemic may be signs that an adolescent need more support during this difficult time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers parent tips that begin with staying in touch with the pediatrician.

“It's normal for teens to feel sad during this time, crying sometimes because they miss their friends or because sports and musical productions were cancelled,” said AAP President Sara Goza, MD, FAAP.. “We urge parents who are concerned to call the pediatrician and ask for help checking on the teen's social and emotional health. This may be something that can begin with a telehealth visit, and your pediatrician is in the best position to know that.”

Pediatricians can screen for depression and ask teens and family members about other concerns like anxiety or trouble coping with stress.

For parents, the AAP recommends:

  • Check in with your teen often to discuss how they're feeling and managing, and watch for signs of mental health struggles. Keep in mind that these signs are not the same for everyone.​
  • It's important to offer your teen some privacy to talk with the pediatrician if you do schedule a visit to ensure they have the chance to speak as openly as possible.
  • It’s important for parents to set the tone by trying to stay positive and relaying consistent messages that a brighter future lies ahead. Keep lines of communication open.

Signs that a teen may need more support:
  • Changes in mood that are not usual for your child, such as ongoing irritability, feelings of hopelessness or rage, and frequent conflicts with friends and family.
  • Changes in behavior, such as stepping back from personal relationships.
  • A lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
  • A hard time falling or staying asleep, or starting to sleep all the time.
  • Changes in weight or eating patterns, such as never being hungry or eating all the time.
  • Problems with memory, thinking, or concentration.
  • Changes in appearance, such as lack of basic personal hygiene (within reason, since many are doing slightly less grooming during this time at home.)
  • An increase in risky or reckless behaviors, such as using drugs or alcohol.
  • Thoughts about death or suicide, or talking about it

Any talk about suicide should be taken seriously. If you are worried, it is critical to make your home safe and securing medications in a locked cabinet.

Seek help immediately by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or texting the Crisis Text Line by t​​exting 'TALK' to 741741. Reserve 911 for situations where self-harming actions are happening or are about to happen.

In a non-crisis situation, talk with your pediatrician about any concerns you have about your teen's mental health.​

Source: AAP
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Earth Day Is For Everyone

On April 22nd we celebrated Earth Day! What is the history of Earth Day? In 1969 Senator Gayford Nelson, the "father of Earth Day" called for Americans to come together for a day dedicated to environmental education. The effort received an incredible response.

On the designated day of April 22, 1970, Americans marched and demonstrated in the streets for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive rallies across the US. It was estimated 20 million people, from 10,000 elementary and high schools, 2,000 colleges, and over 1,000 communities participated.

That day influenced the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency and numerous laws that protect our environment.

Earth Day, and the month-long Keep American Beautiful designation in April, recognizes how important it is to care for the Earth and how much each of us can have an impact all year long.

Some things you can do today as a family that will help your children understand how their efforts can impact their own future:

  • Turn off the lights when you leave a room, as well as the TV or radio when finished
  • Limit water use when brushing teeth - turn the water off while you are brushing
  • Use reusable containers, bags and water bottles vs. plastic disposables
  • At the end of each meal or activity, determine what items get recycled and put them in the recycling bins
  • Find creative projects to make with toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, popsicle sticks, etc
  • Go outside and find areas to plant flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs in your backyard - you can make recipes with them later
  • Teach your child to never throw trash on the floor and better yet, if they find trash on the ground, throw it in the garbage
  • Take your children outside to observe the animals, hike local trails and learn about plants and trees

The more your child learns about nature, the more they’ll grow to appreciate all living things—and learn to want to protect them and the future of the Earth.

Source: AdirondackCouncil.org; Babygizmo.com
The Importance of a
Well Visit - at Every Age

Regular pediatric well child visits are intended specifically for children from birth through their teen years. This is a period of rapid growth and change and is the best time to address conditions that can affect their long term overall health and development.

Pediatrician and family interaction
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), an ongoing relationship between a family and their pediatrician is a key requirement of quality health care for children.

This relationship helps to build a level of trust that is important to achieving effective communication during the well child visit. Additionally, the AAP believes that simply taking a child to the doctor when he or she is not feeling well is not sufficient in helping to ensure continued healthy development. Well child visits permit parents to prepare topics for discussion in concert with their child’s examination.

An important time for you and your child
Well child visits focus on helping to maintain your child’s health by monitoring a number of important areas to help assure their health and to identify conditions which may not openly manifest themselves. Important aspects of these visits include:

  • An evaluation of your child’s growth and development
  • A discussion of safety, nutrition, fitness, behavior, school, peer interaction, day to day family life, etc.
  • Addressing attention or learning challenges
  • A complete physical examination
  • Recording your child’s height, weight, and other important information
  • Assessing body mass index for identifying and preventing obesity
  • Developmental screenings, if appropriate
  • Diseases currently going around that may affect your child
  • Age-appropriate screening tests (including hearing, vision, hemoglobin, etc.)
  • Age appropriate immunizations
  • An opportunity to ask questions

Well-visit examination schedule
The frequency of well child visits is intended to make sure your child is developing properly. If it has been longer than a year, please call today to make an appointment for your child.

If your child has had their well-visit within the year, but you have new concerns or there are recent developments you'd like to discuss, please call the office to schedule an appointment.
It's that time again! Every doctor in our practice requires votes to be recognized as a "New Jersey Favorite Kids' Doc". Vote today!
In-House Covid-19 Testing & Guidelines
The Pediatric Center continues to offer Covid-19 testing for all patients and their families. Please visit our Covid-19 Testing page to learn more about the types of tests, what to do if you are exposed to Covid-19 and isolation and quarantine guidelines.
Covid-19 Office Procedures
Our strict CDC guidelines continue, Our office is completely sanitized and treated before each appointment. We continue the following protocols:

  • Phone screening prior to a visit
  • No patients in the waiting rooms
  • Suspension of walk-in visits - all appointments must be scheduled
  • Patient clearance prior to entering the office
  • Car visits, when needed
  • Virtual telemedicine, if requested
Please continue to limit your visit to one adult per family, wear a face covering/mask while in the office and maintain social distancing (at least 6 ft apart). Please do not make an appointment or come to the office if you have, or show any symptoms of COVID-19.

We look forward to seeing you!
Virtual New Mom Support Group
The Pediatric Center offers a weekly Virtual New Mom Support Group every Friday at 10 am. The classes are facilitated by our own Dr. Mckegney via Zoom. Simply register here. The support group is open and free to the public.
Virtual Prenatal Class
On-Site Lactation Support Center

The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you to support breastfeeding your child.  
 
We offer complimentary lactation consultations and are now offering virtual visits.
 
To schedule your lactation consultation, attend our free prenatal class or make an appointment please call us at 908-508-0400.
Find More Topics On Our Blog
The Pediatric Center's blog is an invaluable resource for pediatric and parenting topics. The blog is right on our website. It includes topics such as "12 Super Foods for Lactation Aid", "Best Winter Skincare Tips" and so much more. 
Patient Portal

The Pediatric Center's patient portal provides personal access to your family's medical records. 
 
You can access information such as immunization records, visit summaries, request appointments, view dates for upcoming appointments and pay your bill.
 
Sign up is quick from our website. Click here.
Do You Need A Pediatric Specialist?
The Pediatric Center works with a wide network of doctors we can refer to a pediatric specialist if you need one. 
 
As part of our practice, we specialize in developmental & behavioral health and focus on positive parenting practices. We can offer guidance on depression, eating disorders, developmental concerns and many other issues. You are not alone. 
 
Please call to make an appointment to meet with one of our physicians: 908-508-0400.
The Pediatric Center Online Bill Pay

Online Bill Payment
The Pediatric Center offers the ease and convenience of online bill payment from our Bill Payment & Insurance page on our website. 
 
Payments Over The Phone
If you prefer, you can still make a payment over the phone by calling The Pediatric Center's billing department,

Office: 908-508-0400
Billing Department: 786-249-1234
ImPACT Concussion Testing

The Pediatric Center offers on-site ImPact concussion testing.
 
ImPACT, an FDA cleared tool for baseline and post-injury testing, measures visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient (ages 12-59) can safely return to activity.
Vaccine Education Center

Our website offers a Vaccine Education Center with immunization schedules for your child.
 
Reminder - we offer all students going to college the Meningococcal B vaccine. This vaccine is covered by insurance. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. We also offer the Gardasil vaccine.
We Love Your Feedback!

Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners. You can  write and post a review right on our website or on our Facebook page.  Thank you for your kind words!
Free Virtual Prenatal Class
Join our free, virtual prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
For Parents
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
New Mom Support Group
Are you a new mom and want to connect with other moms while learning about your newborn? Join our weekly support group.
Follow Us On Facebook!

Keep up to date with pertinent news information and important announcements on Facebook including time sensitive topics and office closings, etc.
 
Simply like us
by clicking on the button to the right!
 
Announcements will also be posted on the home page of our website under "What's New".
The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400