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/

Facebook Winners and December's Facebook Contest!

Big congrats to Kim Eberspacher, Calli Rhoades and Jessica Muelleck!  They are the winners for our November Facebook contest!  Let us know if you would like us to mail you your gift card or if you would like to come by the office and pick it up!

Now it is time for our December Facebook contest!  This will be our final contest until Springtime, so make sure you get involved!  The winner will receive a wonderful gift basket full of holiday goodies.  To enter, click here and "like" us on Facebook.  Then post on our wall what your favorite holiday tradition is.  Those who post will automatically entered in this month's drawing!

What are you Thankful for?

This time of year is a great time to reflect and remember what we are thankful for.  The employees at Willow Creek have are all remembering what they are thankful for today!

Margie (office coordinator) is thankful for good health, so she can cook Thanksgiving dinner for everyone!

Mandy (nurse) is thankful for her two little boys and all of their energy!  Also her amazing husband and family!

Jan (front office) is thankful for her wonderful family.  They bring so much joy and happiness to her!

Dr. Jopling is thankful that his wife and 2 children are in good health!

Amber (nurse) is thankful for good credit reports!

Mykio (front office) is thankful for a happy, healthy family and that she gets to share her holiday with such wonderful people!

Kari (front office) is thankful for great friends and neighbors and their thoughtful acts of kindness!

Camille (nurse) is thankful for her family and her health!

Anita (nurse) is thankful for her family, including her 3 children and her grandchildren, and for her health, such as it is for her age!

Dr. Ring is sooooo thankful for her daughter, Piper, and her good health!

Dr. Chamberlain is thankful for her beautiful family, a great job and good health!

Dr. Ashton is thankful to be upright and breathing!  Everyday alive is a good day!

Dr. Memmott is thankful for the country we live in and our many freedoms and opportunities!

Dr. Lynch is thankful for his health, vision, family and friends!

Mindee (nurse/front office) is thankful for her beautiful family and a home to keep her warm!

The staff and doctors of Willow Creek would like to wish all of our patients and their families and happy and safe Thanksgiving week!

Fact Friday--1 in every 8 babies are born to soon

Did you know that November is Prematurity Awareness Month?...I did because I have raised two preemies and so it is very close to my heart. I know many of our patients are also preemies and wanted to recognize the families and children that have overcome this challenge.

The March of Dimes is a wonderful resource and a great advocate in helping with the awareness and education of premature babies. 3 Facts about premature births: 1- 543,000 babies or 1 in every 8 babies are born prematurely each year; 2- premature birth is the number one killer of newborns; 3- premature babies cost ten times more than healthy babies. Because of campaigns like The March of Dimes and "Prematurity Awareness Month", there has been a recent decline in premature birth rate by 3 percent! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a proud partner with the March of Dimes as they raise awareness of this growing health problem.

It is so wonderful to have so many great resources out there----so click on a link below if you want to volunteer, support or learn more about Prematurity and help the March of Dimes "work together for stronger, healthier babies"!
www.marchofdimes.com/mission/prematurity.html
www.healthychildren.org/english/news/pages/prematurity-awareness-month.aspx

**picture above is Jaxon (my son)who was born at 28.5 weeks--weight 2 pound 5 oz and now is a very strong, active and healthy 9 1/2 year old boy

Introducing Dr. Michelle Chamberlain!

Our spotlight for this week is Dr. Michelle Chamberlain!

Dr. Chamberlain received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University. She attended medical school at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. Her residency was completed at the University of Utah. She is board certified in Pediatrics. Michelle's husband, Jim, is an internal medicine Physician at the Utah Diabetes Center. They have two children, Luke and Mia. Michelle's favorite hobbies include running, hiking, biking, and skiing. Dr. Chamberlain enjoys caring for children of all ages and finds the most rewarding aspect of being a pediatrician to be the relationships she develops with the patients and their families as the children grow and develop.

Dr. Chamberlain is our newest addition to the Willow Creek office and we are so happy to have her here!  Her practice has filled up quickly and her patients absolutely adore her!