Please take a moment to read our most commonly asked questions. We're always available to answer your questions and encourage you to contact our office if you have a question that is not answered below.
Q: What is a Pediatrician?
A: A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children. Pediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens and young adults. The majority of pediatricians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after passing a comprehensive exam.
Pediatricians provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice with issues such as growth and development, safety and prevention, nutrition, and emotional wellness to foster a lifetime of good health.
Q: What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A: Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have additional education and training in a specialty area, such as family practice or pediatrics. If accredited through the national board exam, the NP will have an additional credential, such as Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) or Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (CFNP).
Pediatric and Family Nurse Practitioners can deliver much of the health care that kids and young adults require. They perform well child and sports physicals, treat acute (short-term) illnesses, manage chronic (long-term) illnesses and prescribe medications as necessary.
CPNPs provide care to children from birth up to the age of 21. CFNPs provide care for all ages.
Q: Can I meet my Pediatrician or Certified Nurse Practitioner before my baby is born?
A: Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a Prenatal Meet and Greet appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our providers. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child.
Q: How often should my child see a provider?
A: Your child should not only see a provider for an illness, but it is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. Also called well-care visits or checkups, these routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the provider to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another. Well-care visits are strongly recommended as part of preventive pediatric care.
Well-child visits are also a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns about a child's development, behavior, nutrition, safety and overall well-being.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits:
- Newborn
- 2 weeks
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- 3 years
- 4 years
- And once a year thereafter for a Well Child Visit to ensure annual health supervision that includes a physical exam as well as a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment.
Q: What is the best way to schedule an appointment with your office?
A: You can schedule an appointment by calling our office during regular business hours or by requesting an appointment online.
Q: Is your office accepting new patients?
A: Yes, we always welcome new patients. Contact Us our office for additional information or submit an Appointment Request . Please visit our New Pediatric Patients page for more information.
Q: Why does my child need to receive vaccinations?
A: Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal, childhood diseases. Making sure your child receives immunizations when scheduled is the best way to help protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. If you're apprehensive about vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We also suggest reading our practice's complete Vaccine Policy for additional information.
