Dear Patient Families of SBC Pediatrics,
As you may have seen in the news, there is currently a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico. Measles is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, rash, and respiratory symptoms. For more information about this vaccine-preventable illness, please refer to the AAP website.
Thanks to excellent local vaccination rates, the majority of patients at North Indiana are protected from measles, and there are currently no reported cases in Indiana.
Our patients are vaccinated against measles with two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first at their 12-month well visit and the second at their 4 – 6year well visit.
Currently, there are no recommendations for earlier vaccination unless:
- You are traveling outside the country or to an area in the U.S. with a measles outbreak with an infant aged 6 – 11 months. In these cases, it is recommended that your infant receive the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before your trip.
- If you plan to travel and your child is over 12 months old but has not yet received two doses of the MMR vaccine (which is the case for most children under 4 years old), they should receive their second dose before travel.
All children in kindergarten or older should have already received two doses of the MMR vaccine and do not require any additional vaccines.
If you have upcoming travel and believe your child may need this immunization, please call us at 574−234−8161.
If you are concerned that your child may have been exposed to or could be sick with measles, please contact our office to discuss the best approach for a medical evaluation.
Please note that masking can reduce the spread. This remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of many viruses, including measles.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns about your child’s health.
Sincerely,
The South Bend Clinic Pediatric Department
Health Topics:
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I love practicing pediatric medicine because it allows me the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients and families and deliver evidence-based care to patients across various barriers.
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Providing the best and most comprehensive pediatric care for my patients. I value being accessible to parents when they have questions about their child.
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I love partnering with my patients and their families to provide a holistic and evidence-based approach to preventative care using the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations in pediatric care. My goal is to teach my patients and their families how to adopt a healthy physical and mental lifestyle while having fun along the way. Building relationships with my patients and their families while watching them grow and thrive as I support their health is the best part of my job.
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I enjoy partnering with parents in helping their children with their healthcare needs from their newborn years through college.
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I have been a practicing pediatrician in the South Bend area for more than 27 years. I have had the privilege of helping parents raise and protect the health of their children through those many years. I'm now seeing those children entrust their own children's care to me as well. I look forward to continuing to help guide parents of our community in their quest to raise healthy and happy children to an age of independent, successful and healthy adulthood.
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I believe in a collaborative approach, working together with families to provide the best care for their children. I follow evidenced based medicine and guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics. I love watching kids grow and develop and helping families along the journey.
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I see patients as a whole within their family and community systems. An assessment of how a patient is functioning at home, at school, with friends, and in extracurricular activities is an important part of my evaluation and helps me determine what kind of evidence-based treatment could be helpful, including medication (if indicated). I work collaboratively with my patients and their parents/guardians, as well as the pediatricians who refer them, and strive to promote resilience and self-reliance.
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I recognize that health is a basic human right for every person, and caring for the medically underserved was a driving force in my decision to pursue medicine. My grandfather, a physician who devoted his life to the service of others, inspires me each day. My approach to medical care is child-centered, family-focused, and collaborative. I treat my patients as my own family and find great joy in cultivating relationships and watching my patients grow. My focus is not only on treating illness, but also psychological well-being, preventive care, nutrition, safety, and growth and development. I strive to stay current with the latest pediatric developments and approaches to children's health and practice evidence-based medicine. This also includes following the AAP guidelines on immunizations, as timely vaccinations are vital to children's health worldwide. Medicine is as much an art as a science, and each child is wonderfully unique.
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I strive to provide exceptional care! I keep up to date with guidelines and new recommendations. In my practice I am culturally sensitive and I enjoy connecting with patients on a personal level. I value my patient’s opinion and shared decision making, while maintaining a physical and emotional health balance.
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Enhancing the lives of all children by delivering the highest quality of pediatric health care and service in a compassionate and healthy environment.
