How Important are Immunizations?
Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on May 18, 2012 in Pediatrics | 0 comments
By Kathleen Ganster
“You are never too old to be up-to-date on your immunizations,” said Sharon Silvestri, Chief of Allegheny County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Program.
While many people are familiar with keeping their children up-to-date on immunizations, adults are often not as aware regarding what immunizations they should have. Immunization rates are over 97% in Allegheny County for school aged children is due to school immunization regulations but adult immunization rates are lagging nationally compared to children.
“That is why immunization education continues to be an important part of what we do at the Allegheny County Health Department,” said Silvestri.
Because there are successful vaccination programs in the United States, some people no longer see vaccine preventable diseases as a concern, according to Silvestri.
Childwise: The Haves and Have-Nots
Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on May 11, 2012 in Pediatrics | 0 comments
Childwise is a medical advice column for parents of children ages birth to 21. 
By Kathleen Ganster
An iPad for every child, a cell phone at 5, a new car at 16 – it seems more and more children are getting more and more things these days, but what if you can’t buy all of these “things” for your own children? And even if you can afford every want your child has, should you be an overindulgent parent?
Joan Schenker, Director of Community Education at Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry and former elementary and middle school counselor, teaches parenting classes and works with parents on a daily basis.
“This is an issue that I deal with all of the time and one that I have dealt with in my own life,” she said.
Schenker and her husband, Fred, a Lutheran pastor, are also parents of two sons, Mark, 22, and Luke, 20.
11th Annual “Shake Your Booties” Event Raises $240,000
Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on Apr 11, 2012 in Events, Pediatrics | 0 comments
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center held its 11th annual signature fundraising event, Shake Your Booties on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Heinz Field, with a crowd of nearly 500, raising $240,000 for its programs.
The Children’s Home honored Pittsburgh Hero Franco Harris for his continued commitment to the region’s children and families in the areas of education, health, wellness and overcoming disabilities. The event was also the first occasion commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception.”
Mario and Nathalie Lemieux, Jim Rooney and Mrs. Patricia Rooney graciously served as Honorary Chairs.
Event co-chairs Julie Kline and Maureen Oehrle organized an evening of entertainment with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a seated dinner, program, and silent and live auctions. One lucky winner walked away with a $5,000 one carat brilliant cut diamond, donated by Henne Jewelers and $500 towards a custom setting of their choice, in the Fabulous Diamond Raffle. Throughout the evening guests were able to “shake their booties” to the live musical entertainment of Cityscape.
Childwise: Helping a Child Deal With a Loved One’s Terminal Illness
Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on Apr 5, 2012 in Pediatrics | 0 comments
Childwise is a medical advice column for parents of children ages birth to 21.
By Kathleen Ganster
Coping with a loved one’s terminal illness is tough for anyone, but for a child, the situation can be even harder.
Hilda Schorr-Ribera, Ph.D., psychologist who works with children’s support groups through the Cancer Caring Center of Pittsburgh and has a private practice, often works with children dealing with a parent or grandparent’s illness. She offered Childwise several tips for helping children get through these tough times in their lives.
For brevity sake, I will refer to all the illnesses in this article as “cancer,” but the tips and practices suggested can be used in dealing with any terminal or chronic illness. For the same reason, I will refer to the loved one as “parent” although the loved one could be a grandparent, sibling or other family member or friend.
Helping Kids Cope when a Parent is Sick
Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on Apr 3, 2012 in Patient Advocacy, Pediatrics | 0 comments
By Kathleen McCue, MA, CCLS
The first thing most parents ask when diagnosed with a serious illness is “What about my children? How do I tell them? How do I support them? How do I get them through this?” It is difficult enough for a parent to face the reality of their own illness, but becomes even more overwhelming when there are children in the family who may be impacted by the reality of the experience.
“A severe parental illness can cause emotional distress and developmental problems for children, but when managed well, the family crisis can produce resiliency and strength for those same children” says Kathleen McCue, author of How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness and Someone I Love is Sick. “Parents are the best resource for helping their own children, and by using available tools such as the books above, parents can receive guidance in explaining things to children, preparing them for changes and monitoring their behaviors and fears.”
Childwise: Bullying
Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on Mar 19, 2012 in Pediatrics | 0 comments
Childwise is a medical advice column for parents of children ages birth to 21.
By Kathleen Ganster
Bullying – it seems like it is in the news everyday.
But while we may hear more about it, that doesn’t mean we are equipped to deal with it, especially when it comes to our own children.
What do you do if you suspect or know your own child is being bullied?
And what do you do if your child is the bully?
Both are issues educators are trained to deal with according to Dr. Eric Stennett, principal at Hampton Middle School, Hampton Township School District and educator for over 17 years.
“While I don’t think traditional bullying is on the rise, certainly cyber-bullying is,” said Stennett.
Hampton, like most districts, has an anti-bullying program in place that helps the children learn about bullying and how to deal with issues. But is also important for parents to know the signs of bullying.
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