Allentown Peds News
A Special Message from Allentown Pediatrics
We are so saddened over the horrendous tragedy that struck the community of Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, December 14. Please see the below link from the American Academy of Pediatrics for guidance on how to talk to your child about this disaster. There is also an important link from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry on Children and Firearms. Although we do not have answers to what brought about this terrible event, there are things we can do to help keep our children safe and try to minimize the violence children are exposed to on a daily basis.
- AAP Offers Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Children and Firearms
Spectrum Human Services Collaboration (www.shswny.com)
We are proud to announce our collaboration with Spectrum Human Services. We now have a Mental Health Provider located in our office to our see Allentown Peds patients. Appointments are on a referral basis and patients can expect to be seen in a timely fashion. If you are interested in learning more about this valuable new service, please contact our office.
Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)
Allentown Pediatrics achieved Level 3 Certification for Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) through the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Thanks to the hard work of our entire Allentown Staff and with the support of Catholic Medical Partners we were able to achieve the highest level of certification. The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a health care setting that facilitates partnerships between the individual patient/parent and their physician. A PCMH uses information technology, health information exchange, and care coordination to assure its patients get the necessary care when and where they need and want it in a culturally appropriate manner.
3rd Annual Allentown Walk in the Park
We completed our 3rd Annual Walk in the Park Program. Once again Allentown Pediatrics joined forces with both Main Pediatrics and Delaware Pediatrics. Although the attendance was not as robust as last year, the programming was terrific and all who participated had a great time. We learned physical activity can be simple—tossing a Frisbee, jump roping, dancing, walking—and a lot of fun when part of a community!
Reach out and Read!
Allentown Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine has been a member of the Reach Out and Read program since 2008. Children ages six months through five years receive a beautiful, new, age appropriate book at each well-child check-up. Dr. Raiken, Dr. Ehlenfield, and Dr. Conley are very excited about making books a part of a healthy childhood and educating parents about the importance of reading with their children every day. Promoting literacy and a love of books at an early age will help children become good readers and succeed in school.
Unfortunately, funding for this important organization has declined and subsequently our supply of books has decreased dramatically. Any one interested in making a donation to help subsidize our book supply should contact Drs. Raiken or Ehlenfield.
Please visit the Reach Out and Read website, www.reachoutandread.org to learn more about this wonderful and important program.