Current Health News

Fun in the Sun Tips

Summer is in full swing here in Northern Michigan.  While most of us enjoy the sun and sand, we often see common health issues arise each summer. Learn how to prevent and treat these warm weather woes and how to stay safe while in the great outdoors by reading more here:

Bug Bites

Swimmer's Itch

Sun Safety

Water Safety

Bike Safety

American Academy of Pediatrics Summer Safety Tips Part I and Part 2

Important Sports Physical Information

The staff at Kid's Creek Children's Clinic would like to remind families of student athletes about some important pre-participation information:

• All students enrolled in the 7th grade and beyond must have a current physical examination on file before participating in any school sport.
• The Michigan High School Athletic Association requires that these physical exams be conducted yearly.
• In order to be eligible for sports during the 2010/11 school year, the pre-participation physical must be performed after April 15th, 2010. As most insurance companies only pay for one well visit or physical per year, we strongly encourage families to schedule their student athlete visits to our office after April 15th each year. This will help to avoid any additional charges which may become the responsibility of the family.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with The American College of Sports Medicine, recommend that pre-participation sports physical be performed by the primary care provider. This option, compared to mass screening programs offered through the schools, provides for better continuity of care for your student athlete. In addition to performing the physical exam, your Kids Creek provider will review and update vaccines, as well as offer your student important advice on nutrition, safety, and social and emotional well being.

We look forward to assisting your student athlete with all of their health care needs. You may call our office to schedule a sports pre-participation appointment during our regular business hours.

New Immunization Requirements for School in 2010

Beginning in January 2010, new vaccine requirements will go into effect for school enrollment. Immunizations included in the new school entry mandate are varicella (chickenpox), meningitis, and pertussis (whooping cough). These new requirements apply to children entering kindergarten, 6th grade, and those changing school districts. Please refer to the Michigan Department of Community Health website to read the details and to be assured that your child is appropriately immunized.

Developmental Screening Added to Your Child's Well Visits

Well child visits provide an excellent opportunity for monitoring your child's growth and development over time. Each time you bring your child in for a "check up", your health care provider asks about new milestones or concerns you may have about your child's development. This dialogue is a great start to identifying potential delays in your child's progress.

Because early detection is key to the best outcome for a child who is experiencing developmental delays, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends standardized screening at critical stages in your child's early life. This screening involves completing a questionnaire about your child's developmental progress at the 9, 18, and 30 months well child visits.

This past summer, Kids Creek Children's Clinic began offering this screening routinely at the 9, 18, and 30 month visits. Questionnaires are given to families at the check in desk by our staff. Your health care provider will review and discuss these questionnaires with you during the well child visit. We are happy to provide this valuable screening. Together, we can assure that you child is reaching his/her full potential.

American Academy of Pediatrics Launches New Parenting Website

The AAP has replaced the"Parenting Corner" on its website with a completely new and separate site entitled "Healthy Children". The new site offers a multitude of parenting and health articles for families with children of all ages. You can even download the most current issue of the Academy's parenting magazine. The bookstore feature remains and is a great destination for parenting resource books. We encourage you to check out this valuable, new site and all its features.

New Feature Added to On Line Prescription Refills

Starting March 1st, 2010, families will receive an automated email response from Kids Creek Children's Clinic informing them of the status of a requested prescription refill. Families will be notified of the date the prescription refill was processed, as well as receive specific instructions on when they can expect to receive the prescription. It is our hope that this will provide an avenue for more direct communication and reduce the number of telephone inquiries regarding pending prescriptions. The email will be in the form of a no reply message. Families will not be able to electronically respond to this message. However, please know that patients are still encouraged to call our office with concerns.

Prenatal Open House Now Offered Monthly

Kids Creek Children's Clinic is pleased to offer this new opportunity for expectant families. Open house sessions will be held every 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Kids Creek Children's Clinic is located at 5024 North Royal Drive. A RSVP is requested but not required. Please call 231-935-0555.

We invite you to come meet our pediatric health care providers, receive important information about our services during child birth and your baby's first years of life, and have your newborn care questions answered.

Upcoming prenatal open house dates in 2010 are:  August 19th, September 16th, October 21st, November 18th and December 16th.

New Office Hours to Better Serve You!

Starting October 1st 2009, Kids Creek Children’s Clinic will begin new office hours in an effort to become more accessible to our busy families. We will be offering patient appointments during the following times:

Monday through Thursday: 8am to 7pm

Friday: 8am to 5pm

Saturday: 9am to 12pm