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!
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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/