Pediatrics

Newborn & Infants

Community Health Pediatrics attends to newborns at Rutland Regional Medical Center. If your baby is born elsewhere, your records will be sent to us, and an appointment will be made within three days of when your infant was discharged from the hospital. We can accommodate Saturday appointments as needed. Stop by Community Health Pediatrics and pick up your new patient registration forms prior to the initial visit or even before your baby is born.

 There’s so much to learn when bringing a new baby home. Community Health Pediatrics can walk parents through a prenatal visit where we will provide the basic guidelines such as:

• how to safely transport your new baby home
• setting up first visits with your provider
• important infant care routines
• information about positioning your baby
• formula feeding
• breastfeeding (we have information about local lactation consultants)

How do you know if your newborn is ill? Call your provider if any of the following occurs:

• decreased interest in feeding
• fever (rectal temperature over 100.4 degrees)
• poor color (pale, blue or any change from usual color)
• very sleepy
• very fussy
• persistent vomiting
• frequent, watery stools

Routine Checkups & Physicals

If we are seeing your child for the first time, no matter what age, we must receive records, including immunization records, from the previous provider before the Community Health Pediatrics visit. During  the visit, we will provide a schedule of routine checkups and immunizations that are standard for children.

As part of the routine checkup, we monitor growth and development and provide information about nutrition, good eating habits, behavioral issues and answer any questions you might have about your child’s health and development.

Schedule for physical examinations:

• 2-3 days after hospital discharge
• 2 weeks (as needed)
• 4 weeks
• 2,4,6,9,12,15 and 18 months
• 24 months, 30 months, 3 years, then yearly

Well child exams should be scheduled in advance and may be with a particular provider if desired. For sick child visits, a particular physician may be requested but it will depend on their  availability.

Immunizations are given frequently during the first two years then again at ages 4, 11 and 16. Yearly flu vaccines for children 6 months and older are recommended. We provide parents with a packet of information about immunizations.

Community Kids Dental

Community Health Pediatrics works hand-in-hand with parents and Community Kids Dental, sharing oral hygiene and oral development guidelines. Healthy teeth and gums are as important for babies and young children as they are for adults. Parents are recommended to schedule their infant’s first dental appointment as they cut their first teeth.

Behavioral Health

Pediatric behavioral health is an integral part of Community Health’s mission to provide comprehensive patient-centered behavioral health care to children, their families and their caregivers. In support of that mission, behavioral health providers are available at Community Health Pediatrics as well as at all Community Health locations. By integrating behavioral health into all our practices, our caring and qualified staff work closely with primary care providers, children and their parents to meet each patient’s unique emotional and social needs.

The Community Health Behavioral Health Pediatric team members include psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed alcohol and drug counselors and behavioral health care managers.

Behavioral Health services include, but are not limited to:

• Sensitive and comprehensive assessment and counseling services by our Licensed Independent Social Workers (LICSWs), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs)
• Medication management and psychiatric evaluations by our psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners

If you are interested in obtaining behavioral health services, contact your primary care provider for a referral.

Care Management

Care Management is a service that Community Health provides to support individuals and families with personalized care plans that coordinate treatments, medications, community resources and social services. The Care Management team provides educational and knowledge-based materials to assist in the learning process. Care managers work with providers who identify children and their families who have unique health care needs and would benefit from the knowledge care managers provide for newborn care, behavioral health, food insecurity, substance abuse, autism and any other chronic health condition that requires additional care. Talk to your provider about how care management can help you or someone you know.

Sports

If your child sees us for their recommended yearly physical, they won’t need a separate appointment for a sports or camp physical or to complete school forms. Most school and community sports teams will require a physical exam before a child participates in a sport. We are able to review your child’s health and sign the participation forms.

Our providers will also treat and manage concussion protocols and minor injuries as a result of a sports or related injury.

Adolescents & Teens

Community Health Pediatrics recommends that adolescents and teens ages 12-18 schedule a yearly physical. The annual visit will teach young adults about taking responsibility for their own health care, guide them in learning how to develop a healthy lifestyle and give them the opportunity to meet independently with their provider. Talk to your provider about helping your young adult become more involved in staying healthy and the benefits of preventive care.

Nutrition

An increasing number of children are struggling with their weight and the associated medical impacts. In the US, one in five children have been identified as obese. Community Health Pediatrics participates in learning programs sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics Institute. One such program, “Optimize Infant and Toddler Feeding for Obesity Prevention” worked with children under the age of two to help develop healthy eating habits.

Community Health Pediatrics supports the 5-2-1-0 program that gives families a roadmap for healthy eating. The program recommends the following:

• 5 fruits or veggies per day
• 2 hours maximum of computer screen time
• 1 hour of exercise
• 0 sugary beverages and limited amounts of juice

While some children struggle with weight gain, others are experiencing food insecurity. Community Health’s care managers, care coordinators and social workers are familiar with and are a great resource for nutritional needs when families can’t afford healthy foods. Community Health provides families with local connections to organizations like 3SquaresVT, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, the Vermont Farmer’s Food Center Farmacy Program (a Community Health community partner) and local food pantries such as the ones provided at BROC, Rutland County Parent Child Center and the Rutland Community Cupboard.

Patient Portal

Community Health’s Patient Portal can help parents better manage their child’s health care. On the Patient Portal you can message your provider, renew a prescription, request an appointment, pay outstanding charges or update your child’s medical records.

The Patient Portal is available to parents until the child turns 12. Parents do not have access from ages 12-17.  Once a child turns 18, they can sign up for their own Patient Portal.

For more information about how to create a Patient Portal for your child, click the button below.

Special Programs

Ask your provider if you are interested in any of our special programs.

• Childhood obesity initiative
• Care management
• Food insecurity
• Telehealth
• Community Kids Dental
• Behavioral health services

Community Health Pediatrics can guide you every step of the way toward raising healthy children. Click here for our office hours and locations. If you have any questions, please call 802-773-9131