Pediatricians: Your partner in your child’s good health!

Editor’s note: From time to time we like to feature guest blogs written by local parents and community partners. This blog was written by Mark Buchholz, MD, FAAP, a Pediatrician and Associate Medical Director at PacificSource Community Solutions. Mark is also a father of three (pictured above), and loves watching their volleyball games.

Being a parent is amazing, and it can also be difficult. When it comes to your child’s health, there are websites, books, well-meaning friends and family, social media, and so much more to guide you, and, at times, confuse you. One of your biggest cheerleaders and friends in supporting your child is their Pediatrician. We are here to help you and understand the challenges we are all facing.The daily challenges of the last year and a half have made it hard for many of us to make time for the things that don’t seem urgent, like taking your child to see their doctor, unless they were sick. Or maybe you’ve thought that doctors are so busy with COVID-19 that it would be better to skip your annual well-child visit. Whatever the reason, I want to let you know that we, your Pediatricians, really want to see your child, especially for a well-child visit.Well-child visits give us the chance to create a positive relationship with your kiddo. They will see and feel that they are being cared for when they are well, not just during what may be a scary visit when they aren’t feeling well. Seeing your child, and you, during a well-child visit gives us the chance to support you as a parent in keeping track of how your child is growing and hitting important developmental milestones. In the well-child visit, we can talk about how to keep your child safe as they grow and develop. We can keep your child on track for important childhood immunizations that protect them and others.Depending on the age of your child, the Pediatrician will talk with you during the well-child visit and screen your child for any concerns related to:

• Vision

• Hearing

• Spinal health

• Social interaction

• Home safety

• Physical activity

• Nutrition

Visiting with a child when they are well also helps us examine the whole child, instead of focusing on an illness. We can see more of their physical, social and emotional health. We can have fun with them, learn about what they like, and see their personality!Pediatricians see the challenges of parenting during a pandemic, and we want to help you and your children stay happy and healthy. Please take a minute to schedule your child’s well-visit today. Your friendly, family-focused Pediatrician will be happy to see your child and you!

-Mark Buchholz MD, FAAPPediatrician; Associate Medical Director-Medicaid, PacificSource Community Solutions

If you need help finding a local Pediatrician, call the number on your health insurance card and someone can help you find a provider.

This article is brought to you by Parenting Now Parenting Educators and authors Amanda Bedortha, Claire Davis and Lynne Swartz, and consultant Jay Thompson. Parenting Now offers parenting groups and drop-in programs for families with children 0-8, and is passionate about happy, healthy families. For more information about Parenting Now, please visit their website or contact us at info@parentingnow.org.

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