Happy New Year's!

We will be in the office all weekend for those kiddos who love to get sick over the holiday weekends! We will be in the office on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to see patients with urgent medical problems! We will have one doctor in the office seeing patients and will book appointments in consecutive order. We will stay in the office until our latest scheduled appointment. As with all weekend, weeknight, and holiday appointments, any appointments scheduled on these days will be considered after hours. There is a $28 after hours fee, which will be billed to your insurance. It is your responsibility to know how your insurance will cover this. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office!

The doctors and staff of Willow Creek Pediatrics would like to wish all of our patients and their families a very happy and healthy 2011!

21 Healthy NEW YEAR'S resolutions for kids

Can you believe that 2011 is right around the corner? It is that time of the year again to start thinking about the new year, new goals and reflect on the past year. The following New Year tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). There are some great tips to start showing children how to make goals and to stick with them. Here are just a few ideas....

Preschoolers

-I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong.
-I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
-I won’t tease dogs or other pets – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.

Kids, 5- to 12-years-old

-I will drink 2% milk and water three times each day, and limit soda and fruit drinks to once each day.
-I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors on bright sunny days. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports.
-I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
-I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
-I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
-I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school
-I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.

Kids, 13-years-old and up

-I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day, and I will limit the amount of soda I drink to one glass daily.
-I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
-I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities.
-I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.
-When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
-When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk about my choices with an adult whom I can trust. -When I notice my friends are struggling or engaging in risky behaviors, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.
-I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence. I will expect the same good behavior in return.
-I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.
-I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.

**American Academy of Pediatrics, 12/10

Happy Holidays!

Just a reminder, for your convenience, the Willow Creek office does have holiday hours! We will have a doctor available on Christmas Eve to see patients with URGENT problems! Our phones will turn on at 8:00 for you to schedule an appointment or to speak to a nurse for medical advice. We will book appointments in order and stay until our latest scheduled appointment. We will be closed on Christmas day (there will be a doctor available for phone calls for urgent medical advice) and we will reopen on Sunday, December 26th. Please remember that all holiday and weekend appointment are considered after hours. There is a $28 after hours fee that we will bill to your insurance. It is your responsibility to know how your insurance will cover this.

We will also be in the office on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to see patients with urgent problems as well!

The Willow Creek Pediatrics doctors and staff would like to wish all of our patients and their families a happy and safe holiday season!

"Parents should play it SAFE over the holidays"

Four more days until Christmas.....We have one more tip to go along with all your holiday plans. Thanks to Dr. Jopling for sharing this article.

James Schmidt, an emergency room physician at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, sees plenty of avoidable accidents at this time of year — and all year round.

"Each year," he says, "parents are warned of holiday hazards, including toxic mistletoe and dangerous toys. Unfortunately most of the holiday hazard stories miss the larger point regarding children's safety. Most of the household injuries that occur during the holiday are the exact same types of injuries that occur commonly throughout the year -— poisonings, chokings, falls and burns."

In fact, he adds, the single most dangerous item during the holidays may be grandma's purse, where her medications may be left in places accessible to children. They may even be set out for her to remember to take them, he adds. While the potential toxicity of some Christmas plants always gets attention during the holidays, according to Schmidt emergency room doctors see far more children who have ingested their grandparents' blood pressure pills than children who have eaten mistletoe.

There is however, one common seasonal injury — that's when a child pulls over a Christmas tree. Trees should be securely fastened to the wall and toddlers should not be permitted close enough to a tree to tug on it, cautions Schmidt.

Other dangers to watch for include easy access to alcohol at holiday gatherings. "During a large party, guests may leave half-imbibed cups around the house. Small children may wander the house sampling the drinks. Children often show up at ERs showing symptoms of alcohol poisoning," he says.

Schmidt further warns about the potential for mishaps in visits to homes that haven't been "child-proofed." "Parents need to be vigilant and inspect homes for unblocked stairways and other hazards non-parents may have missed," he says.

Altogether, Schmidt urges families not only to decorate safely, give age-appropriate toys, and secure their Christmas trees and candles this holiday season, but he also wants to remind parents to stay vigilant for common household dangers that cause the most injuries — and to consider how travel and visitors may impact their children.

**more info http://www.dailypress.com/topic/health/hospitals-clinics/childrens-hospital-of-the-kings-daughters-PLCUL000134.topic

Fact Friday - Flu Shots for Pregnant Women

Thank you to Dr. Jopling for providing the following article about flu shots for pregnant women!

Yale Study Says Vaccinated Mothers Have Healthier Newborns
Flu shots during pregnancy leads to fewer hospitalizations

Getting a flu shot during pregnancy is an effective way for mothers to prevent their newborns from getting the flu, according to a new Yale study.

The three-year study showed that mothers who were vaccinated while pregnant successfully kept their newborns from being hospitalized with influenza 91.5 percent of the time. The study looked at the hospitalizations of infants up to 6 months old. There are currently no flu vaccines for children under 6 months of age.

For the study, the researchers looked at the medical records of infants placed at Yale-New Haven Hospital for influenza, and another group of infants who had not gotten influenza.

Comparisons showed that, of the infants who did not come down with the flu, the overwhelming majority had mothers who had received the vaccine while expecting.

Yale medical student Marietta Vazquez, the study's senior author, said getting the shot while pregnant is an effective way for mothers to protect their infants. It's especially important, since there are no vaccines for children under six months old. And it's cost-effective, she said, since it protects two people with one shot.

Even before the new findings, which are published Wednesday in Clinical Infectious Diseases, health professionals have recommended flu shots for pregnant women since influenza can lead to miscarriages.

Also, pregnancy can make women more susceptible to the flu because of its effect on the immune system.

As far as types of vaccinations, pregnant women should get the flu shot made from an inactivated virus. The nasal spray vaccine, which is made from a live virus, is not recommended.

Recall on Infant Sleep Positioners and Drop Side Cribs!

The FDA has recently recalled all infant sleep positioners, due to suffocation risk.  This includes items such as sleeping bolsters (a flat mat with cushions on each side of the baby), wedge-style positioners (wedge shaped cushion used to elevate the baby's head), and any sort of pillows, such as Infant Head Bed, which provides supports the head for infants with plagiocephaly (abnormal shape of the head).  Along with removing any sleep positioners from your baby's crib, do not place any pillows, comforters or quilts under the baby or in the crib.  It is also recommended to place your baby on their back at night and at nap time to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrom).

You can read the full article from the Food and Drug Administration by clicking the link below:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm227301.htm

Also, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has decided to put a ban on all drop side cribs. Starting in June, drop side cribs will no longer be sold, resold, manufactured or distributed.  Drop side cribs are to blame for the deaths of at least 32 infants since 2001.  To read the full article, click the link below.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101215/drop-side-cribs-banned-safety-issues

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these recalls, please do not hesitate to call the office!

December Facebook Winner!!!

Congratulations to ALICIA WEST! She is the winner of our December giveaway! Please come and pick up this amazing basket from Kneaders.(valued at $119) We loved hearing about all of your favorite family traditions during this holiday season! We are looking forward to the new year full of new contests, new information and always new updates! If there is anything you would like information about please let us know--we want to be here to help our patients families. Have a wonderful December and again, Congrats to ALICIA!!

Toy Safety in your shopping list

'Tis the season for holiday gift shopping. The hustle and bustle to find just the right toy for a child can present challenges. A wonderful article published by the AAP gives some wonderful consideration while shopping for toys this holiday season.

When choosing toy gifts this holiday season, keep safety , age-appropriateness, and the child's needs and interests in mind . Following are tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) to consider while shopping for toys:

-When selecting stocking stuffers and other trinkets, beware of toy or jewelry that may contain lead or cadmium. Both substances can be harmful to children who put into their mouths.

-Small items also can be risky for young children. For children under age 3, choose toys that are at least 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long, so they will not lodge in a child's mouth or throat.

-Toys containing magnets also pose risk to young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.

-For older children who find electronic gifts exciting, parents can help set a balance by also offering creative toys. The AAP recommends that children over age 2 have no more than two hours of screen time each day from all sources of media (e.g., television, video games, and the Internet). Check the label to make sure electronic toys are "UL Approved."

-If a hobby or chemistry kit seems like a wise educational gift, the AAP recommends giving these types of toys to children age 12 or older.

-With tight economic times, parents may opt to purchase gently used items from garage sales, online sources and secondhand stores. While it may save money, parents should check that the item has not been involved in a recall by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site, www.cpsc.gov.

Finally the AAP advises parents to share toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids' toys away from young children. If a toy is not in good condition, throw it away.

www.aapnews.org

Fact Friday - Utah Food Bank

Did you know that 1 in 10 Utahns, and 1 in 8 Utah children lives in poverty? Did you know that Utah has the fourth highest rate of food insecurity in the nation? Approximately 350,000 Utahns miss at least one meal a day. Did you know that over 134,000 Utahns receive food stamps and about 63,000 eat dinner at a soup kitchen? Did you know that 1 in 7 Utah children is at risk of hunger and nearly 40% must receive free or reduced price school lunch?

These numbers are astounding and even moreso during the holiday season! In this economy, so many people are so thankful for resources, such as the Utah Food Bank, to help them keep food on the table for their families. The Utah Food Bank was started in 1904, and since 1977, it has been the main collector and distributor of food in Utah. The Food Bank has so many different options for people who wish to donate, year round.

The doctors and staff of Willow Creek Pediatrics have decided to do their part and start up a collection during the holiday season to donate to the Utah Food Bank! These donations are needed now more than ever! We will take all the help we can get! If you are interested in making a donation, look for the collection box in the office through the remainder of the holiday season. So many people rely on this service, so let's all do our part!

Introducing our Nursing Staff!

We are so excited to introduce our nursing staff! --Our staff is made up of over 138 years of experience. What makes this staff amazing is that every single one of them love children and go the extra mile to help make a doctors at Willow Creek Pediatrics just a little better! We hope you enjoy getting to know our nursing staff!

Tanji and Camille

Camille has worked her for 14 years! You probably know Camille as our "Triage Nurse"! She has a 6 year old daughter. She loves to do all sorts of crafts and loves her job here at Willow Creek

Tanji has worked for Willow Creek for almost 8 years and is Dr. Lynch's nurse. She has three beautiful children and a house full of animals including a horse that is terrified of flowers!
.
Val and Shelley

Shelley has worked here for almost 6 years and is a mom to three wild and wonderful boys. She is one of our night nurses and we love having her here! She loves to do crossword puzzles!

Val (info coming soon)

Amber and Traci

Traci has worked at WCP for 24 years! 2 years as a night and weekend staff, 13 years with Dr. Lynch, 1 year as a nursing supervisor at St. Marks, and the past 8 years with Dr. Jopling. She would love to live on Kauai on the beach in a tent!!!(true story)...and her newest interest is her motorcycle

Marge, Robyn and Mindee

Marge has worked here for 20 years! She has four children and four grandchildren who keep her busy! She loves spending time in the outdoors and WE can't survive our clinic with out her as our office coordinator!

Robyn has worked for Willow Creek as part of night and weekend nurses for almost two years. She is from upstate New York has five children and three grandkids. She works full time and then comes to visit us at night because she loves being around children!


Mindee started working for Willow Creek in 1997 and worked here for 5 years but then decided to be a stay at home mom for awhile. She has now been back for 6 years and has been a nurse in the back for over two years. Mindee loves her job and loves the patients that come here. She loves doing things with her family and going to all the sporting events for her kids!

Tanji, Mindee and Anita

Anita has worked for Willow Creek and Dr. Ashton for 22 years! Her pride and joy are her 9 grandchildren. When Anita lived in Arizona years ago she took care of Johnny Carson's parents in there home for a summer and when his mom became ill she had a suite in one of the hospitals. Johnny Carson was supposed to visit one day when Anita was taking care of his mother but his plans changed.  However, Anita did get to talk to him on the phone!

Val, Mandy and Sadie

Sadie has worked for Willow Creek for five years and she works with Dr. O'Mara. She has lived in Russia and loves to travel! She has a two year old daughter who hopefully one day will have a sibling! She feels lucky to work at Willow Creek!.


Mandy has worked for Wasatch Pediatrics for 7 years and with Willow Creek for over three years. She works with Dr. O'Mara, Dr. Memmott and nights and weekends. She has two boys and loves to travel, read, shop and cook! She feels so lucky to work with all the doctors at Willow Creek! She is also the     "co-author" of this blog!


Amy has worked for Willow Creek for 12 years. Amy has two boys, loves to run...shop and loves working with Dr. Ring! (picture to come soon)

Amber has worked for Willow Creek for 7 1/2 years and is proud of that since she is only 25! Amber is so fun to work with and works with Dr. Memmott. She said she is not interesting so she told us a joke....Q: How many nurses does it take to change a light bulb? A:Twelve, one to do it, one to chart it, and ten to write the policies and procedures.

Are your kids buckled properly?

We know that many of our patients will be traveling over this holiday season and wanted to give you a reminder to check your restraint systems in your car. (article provided by Dr Lynch)

First--REMEMBER, that children under 13 should ride in a rear vehicle seat. A child in front is 40% more likely to be injured, whether they are air bags, advanced air bags or no air bags. Never place a child in a rear-facing seat near an active frontal air bag! Here are four common misuses of restraints:

Face the Front: Children should ride in the front-facing child seats with harness until they reach the height or weight limits of the harnesses. All models can be used up to 40 pounds, but many newer harness designs can be used until children weigh 50, 65 or more pounds. Front-Facing harness spread force over wide areas of small bodies.

Face the Rear: Children should ride in the rear-facing child seat until they reach the height or weight limits of rear-facing convertible seats--research shows that children are five times safer facing the rear until they are two years old. Rear-facing child seats provide the best protection for the head, neck and spinal cord.

Booster Seats: Children should ride in booster seats used with lap and shoulder belts, until the seat belts alone fit correctly. Depending on the child and the specific vehicle, this usually occurs between 8 and 11. The lap belt should fit flat across a child's upper thighs (NOT across the soft abdomen) and the shoulder belt should cross snugly over the middle of a child's shoulder (NOT over the neck, or, behind the back). Booster seats help belts stay on strong body parts that don't injure easily.

Seat Belt: Seat belts are designed and crash tested to fit a person at 4 feet 9 inches. Seat belts fit if a child can sit all the way back with knees bent naturally over the seat edge. While sitting all the way back against the vehicle seat, the lap belt should fit flat across a child's upper thighs (NOT across the soft abdomen) and the shoulder belt across snugly over the middle of a child's shoulder (NOT over the neck, or, behind the back.) This belt placement must stay consistent throughout the ride. Seat belts distribute force and keep people in protected space.

We know this can be confusing but there is a great link that gives more information plus several different places to go get your child seats check. www.intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/primarychildrens/childhealth/parenting/carseats/pages/home.aspx

For MORE information or to schedule a FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTION call: 801-662-2277(CARS) A service of Primary Children's Medical Center. http://www.primarychildrens.org/

Fact Friday: Every Penny goes to the Child

Wasatch Pediatrics has once again donated a tree for the annual Festival of Trees. This is an exciting year because this is the 40th anniversary of the Festival of Trees. The trees are all decorated and purchased by individuals, corporations, families, organizations, church groups and businesses. Last year alone they raised $1,522,497.58! WOW!! We all love Primary Children's Hospital and love that this wonderful event raises so much money for children--AND EVERY PENNY goes to the CHILD!

A special thanks to our Willow Creek Employee's that participated! Thanks Marge and Traci! We are so proud of you guys! Our tree sold for $2,200!!.....To find out more information about doing your own tree next year or if you want to purchase a tree go to http://www.festivaloftrees.org/.  Happy Holidays and go see our tree...I can't wait to take my own kids tommorow!

Introducing Dr. Dennis Ashton!

This week's spotlight is Dr. Dennis Ashton!

Dr. Ashton founded Willow Creek Pediatrics in 1978 after completing his medical school residency at the University of Utah. He was board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1977, is a member of the Intermountain Pediatric Society, and well as the AAP. He is associated with the Irish-American Pediatric Society and has even traveled to Ireland for society meetings. He believes all children should have access to quality medical care and the right to a safe and secure world.

Dr. Ashton keeps physically fit by biking and hiking with his family and trying to keep up with his amazing wife on the tennis courts! He love the mountains of Utah and the diverse areas surrounding the Salt Lake Valley!

Not only is Dr. Ashton the heart of Willow Creek Pediatrics, but he truly is a walking miracle! Dr. Ashton beat the odds and is a pancreatic cancer survivor! He will be the first to tell you that every day is truly a gift!

We love Dr. Ashton and are so glad he has been back to work seeing patients for 2 years now! We are sure his patients are glad he is back and healthy as well!

Influenza is HERE!

Yesterday we saw our first case of influenza. Influenza is a contagious disease that can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions. Anyone can get the influenza, but rates of infection are highest among children. For most people, symptoms lasts only a few days. They include: Fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches. By getting vaccinated you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others. Influenza can occur any time, but most influenza occurs from November through May. In recent season, most infections have occurred in January and February ....So now what to do?....First, make sure that your child has received this year's influenza vaccine.We STILL have flu vaccine available so please call our office today to schedule an apppointment for your child to receive the flu vaccine. Second, remind your children about good hand washing. And finally, if your child does get influenza, remember we would be happy to answer any of your questions you might have. Check out several sites about the vaccine and more information about influenza.--Let the influenza season begin--

www.cdc.gov/flu

http://www.healthychildren.org/