Blog
Let the Elf on the Shelf Stick to Jokes!
Many thanks to Amy McCready of Positive Parenting Solutions for sharing her thoughts on bringing the fun back to The Elf on The Shelf. Elf on the Shelf has become a fun and humorous holiday tradition for many families … but beware of some unintended consequences! Every morning, your Elf appears in...
Fun Foods for Littles – Saving the Day One Carrot at a Time!
Looking to give your little ones a head start on healthy eating? Look no further than Weiss Pediatric Care! Our team is here to provide you with a wealth of tips and tricks for nurturing your tiny tot's tummy. We believe that if we can make green beans exciting, we can conquer anything! So...
RSV – TIS THE SEASON
What Parents Should Know About RSV Hey there, parents! We all worry about our little ones' health, right? Well, one virus that often has us concerned is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It's a pretty common respiratory virus that tends to affect infants and young kids, especially during those...
Harry the Therapy Dog: Bringing Canine Comfort to Pediatrics
Hello there, parents and kids! I'm Harry, the furry therapy dog at Weiss Pediatric Care. Being a dog, I have a unique perspective on why this place is so special. It's like concierge level care for kids - here's how. Kids' Best Friend I'm here to make kids smile. Whether they're anxious about...
Antibiotics and Kids: Beware
Is your child in need of antibiotics? Know the risks of overuse and how to ensure their necessity. As a parent, it's natural to want the best for your child's health. But when it comes to antibiotics, caution is key. While these medications can be life-saving, the overuse of antibiotics in...
The Flu Shot: Not Just for Old People!
Flu season is upon us, and it's important for everyone, from littles to teens, to get their flu shots. Here are the top 5 reasons why everyone, including children, should get a flu shot this year. 1. Children may have weaker immune systems compared to adults, making them more susceptible to severe...
The WHYS AND HOW-TO’S OF TAKING NEWBORN TEMPERATURES
Fevers are common in children, but for a newborn baby, a fever can be a sign of a serious infection. A fever over 100.4 Fahrenheit in a baby under 2 months old is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. That’s why it is so important to get an accurate temperature reading....
Sink or Swim: Child Safety at the Swimming Pool
Swimming pools are a great way to keep cool during the hot Sarasota summer, but they can be deadly. Several weeks ago I read a story about a little boy from Orlando who had stumbled into his grandmother’s pool and nearly drowned. I remember playing poolside with my own boys and the excitement they...
Florida Kids’ Health Insurance at Risk
Medicaid changes effective April mean that many Florida children will lose their health insurance coverage because of Medicaid Unwinding. Make sure your child does not lose health insurance! What you should know about Medicaid Unwinding The COVID-19 pandemic made it important for people to have...
THE SECRET TO GOOD HEALTH FOR KIDS
Have you ever wondered why the American Academy of Pediatrics and Weiss Pediatric Care require annual well visits? Especially when you look at your children and they look perfectly healthy! It’s because you’re likely not checking for suspicious spots on their skin, between their toes, and on their...
Harry Houdini: Weiss Pediatric Care Magician
Harry Houdini, Therapy Dog Extraordinaire, works magic with children of all ages and their families at Weiss Pediatric Care. Whether he’s working with a 4-year-old anticipating immunizations, a toddler receiving a nebulizer treatment, or a teenager awaiting an annual well visit, Harry is proof...
The Brain’s Favorite Food: A Prescription for Play
Children’s brains grow at a faster rate in the first three years of life than at any other time in their development. One of the best ways toddlers learn and get smarter during this critical time is through play. And it's FREE! Interactive play has been shown to have an impact not only on brain...
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Secret is Out!
Why is it that it seems kids always get sick at night and on the weekends? I don’t know about you but for me fevers, coughs, vomiting, whatever the symptoms, are often scarier in the dark or when the office is closed. If this sounds familiar, your first thought may be to call us ASAP because you...
Fever – A Hot Topic
We’ve probably all been there at some point (or we will in the future!). Our child wakes up crying in the night. You go in and put a hand on her head to find her “burning up” with red tearstained cheeks. In a groggy instant you ask yourself… Where’s my thermometer!? How high is “too high” for a...
Phreesia
Did you know that Weiss Pediatric allows you to check in online ahead of time? You can confirm your appointment via text message or email, and check in online prior to your visit.You can also check in on your own device when you arrive.Ask us about using mobile registration to make your next visit...
Flu Clinic 2022 – FAQ’s
Here’s everything you need to know about our 2022 Flu Clinics including dates, times, what to do upon arrival and more.
Texting While Parenting
The ever increasing use of smart phones in our society represents an important tipping point in parenting. It’s up to us to remain focused in the present and ensure our kids don’t get lost or hurt in the shuffle.
Meet Krista Caffrey, APRN
COVID Vaccines for Littles – It’s Personal
When it comes to the COVID vaccine for babies and children under 5 we have a personal interest. Please join us in protecting all children.
SHOULDN’T WE ALL BE SO LUCKY
Macari’s journey to the Special Olympics inspires all of us to find something that makes us smile! We’re so proud of him and so grateful to share his story with others.
FORMULA RECALL FROM ABBOTT NUTRITION
The FDA is advising consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas. Recalled products can be identified by the 7 to 9 digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package.
COVID Vaccines for Kids are Here!
Call today to schedule appointments for our weekday COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Clinic!
FLU CLINIC IN THE TIME OF COVID
The combination of flu and COVID-19 could pose serious risks for children. Making sure your child gets a flu vaccine is more important than ever.
Check out our flu clinics and schedule an appointment today.
Phone Troubles- Email us!
We’re having intermittent phone problems. If you’re unable to reach us by phone please email us at frontdesk@weisscare.com to let us know how we can help you. We’ll return your call using alternate phones.
FLU -What Parents Should Know
Flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child against flu and its potentially serious complications. Children younger than 5 years old, especially those younger than 2, are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Here’s what parents need to know about flu and flu vaccine.
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
If you have lots of questions about COVID-19 you’re in good company. Here are some of the most common questions parents ask us.
COVID-19 Community Test Sites
Because of massive demand and limited resources, we are referring children to community sites for testing except to rule out COVID-19 when a child is sick and needs to be seen in-office. We’ve compiled an up-to-date list of testing sites to make it easier for you to locate the best site for your child.
No Mask Exemptions
In support of the health and wellness of all children in our community we do not write or prescribe exemptions for mask mandate policies, including in school settings.
Delta Variant & Kids
The number of COVID cases are on the rise in Sarasota County. The positivity rate is 8.53, up 3.31% in just the past 7 days. It’s definitely not time to let our guard down.
Coming Soon – Harry Houdini!
Harry Houdini, Weiss Pediatric Care’s Therapy Dog In-Training, will be joining our team soon. While his participation in visits will be by invitation only, we expect that many children and parents will ask for him whenever they come to see us.
Keeping Kids Safe on July 4th
Before you hand your children sparklers this year or invite them to join you in creating fireworks displays at home, consider these sobering facts and enjoy public displays by professionals instead.
Healthy Kids Need Well Visits Too!
Dr. Weiss and our Nurse Practitioners explain why EVERY child needs well visits, ESPECIALLY if they are typically healthy.
COVID 19 Vaccine Update – 16 years+
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the state of Florida have expanded COVID 19 vaccine availability to certain High Risk adolescent individuals 16 years of age and older.
The Importance of Well-Visits
EVERY child needs regular well-visits, ESPECIALLY if they are typically healthy, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here’s why…
Say YES to COVID-19 Vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccines will prevent hundreds of thousands of children and adults from becoming very sick or dying from this virus. That’s why Weiss Pediatric Care is encouraging everyone to get the vaccine.
HARRY HOUDINI – Therapy Puppy
Weiss Pediatric Care has a new team member. Harry Houdini, Therapy Puppy In-Training, joins the team to bring comfort, hugs and love to children and families whenever they visit with us.
NOW OFFERING COVID-19 TESTING FOR KIDS
Weiss Pediatric Care offers COVID testing for kids. Here’s everything you need to know.
INNOVATIVE VISION SCREENING
Weiss Pediatric Care is making a world of difference for children using innovative vision screening technology. Read Lena’s story…
Should you send your child back to school?
As if living in the time of COVID-19 isn’t challenging enough, now parents are faced with the really difficult decision about whether or not to send their children back to school.
To Test or Not to Test For Covid? That is the question.
Here is what you need to know about COVID testing in our area, including a list of questions based on CDC recommendations that may help you decide when to seek testing.
Preventing Drownings During COVID-19
Pediatricians are sounding the alarm that kids may be at an increased risk of drowning during the coronavirus pandemic. Ali Griffin, APRN, offers tips to help keep everyone safe around water this summer.
Talking With Our Kids About Race
The hopeful news is that experts in the field agree that kids find honest, developmentally appropriate conversations about race to be beneficial. (Hughes et al., 2006). As always, if it’s mentionable, it’s (more) manageable.
Is it safe to return to daycare?
By knowing what to look for when it comes to reducing risks in early childhood centers, you’ll be better prepared to answer this question for your family.
Kids & COVID..in the news
The takeaway is that this newly reported condition in children is VERY, VERY rare. Knowing what to look for is important. But even more important is keeping calm, keeping everything in perspective, and having access to accurate information. Call us with questions or concerns. We’re here for you.
Introducing Telehealth
We’re now scheduling Telehealth appointments with Dr. Weiss. We want to meet you where you are to provide the care you need.
Summer = School Physicals
While we continue to follow guidelines to keep everyone safe, we’re looking forward to seeing you now and over the summer so that everyone is ready for a healthy start to a new school year. Call today to confirm your child’s summer physical appointment.
COVID-19 Update
In an abundance of caution, we ask that patients older than 2 and any accompanying caregivers wear a cloth face covering for well and sick visits.
Caring for Kids Through COVID-19
We’re continuing to provide safe care for children. Call us first!
WE MISS YOU GUYS!!!! A letter to our kids.
A Letter To Our Kids: Yes, we can and will continue to see you in the office for your well checks and sometimes sick visits. But more and more we see you on our computer screens while we visit with you using our fancy Telehealth technology.
Introducing Telehealth
We’re now scheduling Telehealth appointments with Dr. Weiss. We want to meet you where you are to provide the care you need.
Call us first!
Call us first when your kids are sick so we can keep you out of urgent cares and emergency rooms. We’ve suspended walk-in-visits for now but are scheduling sick appointments and well visits that limit unnecessary exposure.
Coronavirus-Scheduling Changes
Due to concerns about exposure to COVID-19, we’ve made a few changes. Walk-In Visits are suspended, but we’re open for sick and well appointments.
CORNONAVIRUS…What we know
It’s too early for US families to worry about coronavirus. Dr. Weiss explains why and advises that parents stay tuned for updates.
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT VACCINES
Taryn Chapman, The Vaccine Mom and Guest Blogger, says it’s never too early to talk to kids about vaccines. Here are her tips for starting the process of scaring the scariness out of vaccines.
Mothers Helping Mothers Toy Drive
Weiss Pediatric Care is partnering with Mothers Helping Mothers to bring joy to area families during the holiday season. Drop off unwrapped new toys to our office now through December 13th!
Taking the Sting Out of Shots
Our team has put together some great ways to make shots less scary and uncomfortable for kids. Here’s what’s new..
Why Does My Infant & Child Need Extra Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is especially important during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Erin Gennocro, Weiss Pediatric Care’s Nurse Practitioner, provides a quick guide to the why’s and what-to-do’s about Vitamin D and kids.
FLU VACCINE IS IN!
Our flu vaccine is in! Call today to schedule your child’s flu shot and “beat the bug!”
Teaching Young Kids: “No” means “No”
Whether they’re four or fourteen, all children need to know that when you say NO, you mean NO – and no amount of whining, pleading, or bargaining will lead to a change of mind. So, what’s a parent to do in the face of relentless begging and bargaining? Here’s a strategy you might want to try.
Diarrhea…What To DO (or Not Do!)
What are common causes of diarrhea, how you know if your child has it, what to do (and not do) about it AND how to prevent it in the first place.
TAKING CHARGE OF ANXIETY
Kids and teens can learn to manage anxiety using a quick and simple technique.
Fever: Should We Worry?
Fevers aren’t the bad guys. They’re the superheroes who kill the germs that can’t survive in higher body temperatures.
SURVIVING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: A GOLDILOCKS STORY
Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 10th, and it’s the perfect time to make sure your child has a “just right” sleep schedule. Our pediatric sleep specialist and our go-to certified sleep consultant can help you do just that.
What Does Dead Mean?
Elliot, our beloved therapy dog, has given us the opportunity to talk to kids about a difficult subject…death. Guest blogger, Ethan Weiss, L.C.S.W. gives us a better understanding of what to say and how to say it.
Farewell Elliot, Beloved Therapy Dog
It is with great sadness that we share with our Weiss Pediatric Care families that Elliot, our kind, compassionate, sensitive, therapy dog has died.
BIG NEWS: Extended Monday hours until 6:00 pm
To better serve our families, we’ll be offering extended hours until 6 pm on Mondays, beginning January 21.
Our Holiday Hours
The holidays are upon us! Here is a list of our scheduled closings, and how to reach us if you need us after hours.
Opting For The Flu – Food for thought
You don’t gamble with your child’s safety while riding in the car. Why would you gamble with your child’s health during flu season?
Back to School: Time to Protect Your Kids Against The Flu
Weiss Pediatric Care is scheduling patients for weekday flu clinics from 8:00-8:45 am Tuesday – Friday, and 4:00 – 5:00 pm Monday -Thursday. Saturday Flu Clinics will be held on October 6th and 27th. Call our office today at 941-552.8341 to make an appointment. Here’s to a safe and healthy flu season ahead!
RED TIDE HEALTH TIPS FOR KIDS
Here are a few tips for minimizing the negative health implications of red tide, especially for those with asthma and other chronic respiratory problems.
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Weiss Pediatric Care is accepting new patients! Check out our most recent blog to find out about our “back to the future” care for kids and meet our amazing team, including our award-winning, Dr. Weiss and our two nurse practitioners, Ali and Tara, who are especially popular with our preteen and teen girls.
I’m Autistic and that’s A-Ok
What’s it like to live with autism? Sebastian, our 10-year old Weiss Pediatric patient and guest blogger, helps us understand. He writes, “I’m the cool kid that knows about it and I’m going to teach you.”
Antibiotics…learn the facts!
While antibiotics are a wonderful tool to fight disease, sometimes they can also prove to be harmful. Dr. Weiss shares the facts about antibiotics and explains when to treat and when cautious observation is the best approach.
We’re Nationally Recognized!
We did it! Weiss Pediatric Care is recognized by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home, joining an elite group of medical professionals in the country to achieve this designation. Here’s what that means for you and your children…
Talking to Kids About School Safety
Weiss Pediatric Care is delighted to feature a guest blog from the Counseling and Academic Services Department at Out-of-Door Academy that provides parents with a context and even the words for talking to kids about this tough subject.
Flu Vaccine: Is it too late?
It’s not too late to reduce your children’s risk of getting the flu. While our flu vaccines are far from perfect, they are the best way to prevent kids from getting sick from the flu.
Your Top Flu Questions Answered
We asked Weiss Pediatric Care’s go-to expert, Dr. Robert Weiss, to give us short answers to complex questions about flu. What you need to know about flu diagnosis and treatment for your children right now.
What Makes Weiss Pediatric Care Unique…after hours access!
Weiss Pediatric Care will be closed in observance of the holidays on December 25th and January 1st. Whenever the office is closed, you can be assured that we’re here for you ’round the clock! Just one more way that Weiss Pediatric Care offers pediatric care for Sarasota/Manatee County families that goes above and beyond!
FEVER…a holiday super hero!
Though never a welcome guest, if your child comes down with a “bug” over the holidays, fever may just turn out to be your holiday’s super hero, helping your child get better faster!
The Chicken Wing – A Tip for Holiday Health
Instead of spreading germs this holiday season, spread the word about the “Chicken Wing” – a strategy for keeping everyone healthy around the holidays and all year round too!
A New Entrance to Your Medical Home
The Colonial Oaks Boulevard entry/exit to our office is temporarily closed during a construction project. Please use Cattleman Lane, just north of Colonial Oaks Boulevard, during the construction period.
What Makes Weiss Pediatric Care Unique?
Meet Elliot, Weiss Pediatric Care’s therapy dog. He is proof that skilled therapy dogs can play a vital role in creating an optimal environment for health and healing.
Time Change Tips for Great Sleep
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Certified Pediatric Sleep Specialist offers tips for ensuring that everyone has a just right sleep schedule as daylight savings time comes to an end.
Influenza – A tale of two siblings
The flu has arrived in Sarasota and based on what has been reported from the other side of the globe where winter has come and gone and along with it, their flu season, this is expected to be an especially bad year for flu in this country. We are already beginning to see that prediction come true.. Call today to schedule your child’s flu vaccine today!
Media and Screen Time for Young Children and Families – Ali Griffin, ARNP
Kids’ checkups include questions about screen time, social media, and electronic use….and for good reasons!
BABY-LED WEANING – Ali Griffin, ARNP
BABY-LED WEANING : Although fairly new in popularity in the U.S, different cultures worldwide have been using it for years.
Surviving Daylight Savings Time: A Goldilocks Story
As we “spring forward” one hour on Sunday morning, I can hear you groaning along with a deafening chorus of sleep deprived parents. While grown-ups adjust pretty quickly to the change, it can be a different story for kids.
Doc Good Morning Walk-In Hour
Not all illnesses are created equally when it comes to the time it takes to address them adequately. Check out our Walk-In Hour info to see if a Walk-In visit is right for your child’s symptoms.
Top 10 Reasons to Get a Flu Vaccine
There are at least 10 great reasons why your child should get a flu vaccination today! Here is Weiss Pediatric Care’s TOP 10 LIST.
Schedule Your Child’s Flu Vaccine Today!
Our flu clinic opens in October. Appointments are available on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:30 pm and Thursdays from 8:00-9:30 am. Call today to make sure your child will have a healthy year ahead!
Cholesterol and Kids? Let’s Talk!
Weiss Pediatric Care monitors children’s total health as they grow including cholesterol levels using a kid-friendly screening test.
Don’t Let the Flu Get Your Kids Down!
The best way to protect your children from the flu is to make sure they get a flu vaccine. We’re now scheduling for our October Flu Clinic. Call today to make an appointment!
Important Summertime Flu Update
We’ve got important news about this year’s flu vaccine. Whether you’re all in or on the fence, you’ll want to check this out.
School Forms, Immunization Forms, Sports Forms…Oh My!
Because we know that you need your child’s health and immunization forms for school and sports activities, we’ve made them easily available through your child’s portal.
Weiss Pediatric Care “Think Tank” – An Update from the Family Advisory Board
The focus of the most recent quarterly meeting of Weiss Pediatric Care’s Family Advisory Board was on surveys and questionnaires that are a vital part of the comprehensive care that we provide. Find out more about them and about the recommendations from this brilliant “think tank” of parents!
Digital Devices – What’s Healthy for Kids?
Ever wonder how much digital device use and screen time is ok for kids? Dr. Weiss weighs in when 8 year old Hugh asks for help resolving a debate with his parents about this very issue.
Weiss Pediatric Care Receives National Recognition
Weiss Pediatric Care received national recognition, and ABC 7 tells the story.
FEVER: One of the good guys!
Fever myths can keep parents up at night. Let us help separate myths from facts.
Does Your Child Have the Flu?
The 2015-2016 Flu Season is just getting started. What should you look for if you think your child has the flu and what can you do to treat the symptoms?
Injectable Flu Vaccine Available Despite FluMist Shortage!
A nationwide shortage of the FluMist, or nasal spray flu vaccine, is limiting the ways we can protect children from the flu this year. The good news is that we have injectable flu vaccine available now. Don’t let the flu keep you or your children from the holidays, school or work.
Call today to schedule your child’s flu vaccine!
PHONE SERVICE DISRUPTION FOR COMCAST CUSTOMERS
We’re here and always ready to take your calls! But unfortunately, if you’re a COMCAST subscriber, we are NOT receiving them. Until COMCAST rectifies the problem, if you get an endless ring tone without a response from us, please call us from a phone that is on VERIZON service. We know how inconvenient this is and hope that COMCAST will quickly take the necessary action to reconnect you with us.
Halloween Health and Safety Tips
Weiss Pediatric Care offers tips for healthy, safe, and fun-filled Halloween celebrations.
Flu Vaccine is Here…Just in time!
Flu season has arrived, and thankfully…so has our flu vaccine! Flu vaccine is available at scheduled well visits and during Flu Clinic hours – Tuesdays from 4-5:30 pm and Thursdays from 8-9:30 am. Call today!
Kid Friendly Allergy Relief
Without allergies, your child may perform better in school and sports and just plain feel better. That’s why Weiss Pediatric Care is now offering kid friendly allergy testing and treatment.
Fun Lunch Box Creations
Presentation is the key to having your child interested and even excited to see what Mom or Dad specially made them for lunch today. Here are a few fun ideas to get you started from Weiss Pediatric Care’s Kerri Bonich, B.A.S., to get you started
NEW: Text Message Appointment Reminders!
Weiss Pediatric Care introduces TEXT MESSAGE appointment reminders to help you keep track of busy schedules and busy lives.
Family Advisory Council – A “Think Tank” for Quality Improvement
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Family Advisory Council jumpstarted a great list of links and community resources for kids and families that resulted in one of the most useful go-to information sources in town.
Tips for Preventing Fireworks Overload
Weiss Pediatric Care shares tips for helping children with autism manage Fourth of July festivities, including fireworks overload.
Sunburn Time is Here!
Summertime is prime sunburn season, especially in sunny Sarasota. Here are a few tips for having a sunburn free summer!
Summer Slide- Not a Theme Park in Florida!
Summer Slide is not Florida’s latest attraction, but a name for the learning loss that occurs during the summer months for students without enriched summer activities.
Preparing Children for Routine Check-Ups
When children know what to expect at a routine visit to the doctor, they are more confident, less fearful, and better prepared. Children’s books are a wonderful way to provide age appropriate information and reassurance, and set the stage for a positive experience.
Is Your Baby Outgrowing Her Car Seat?
What should you do when your one year old baby’s legs seem to have outgrown her rear facing car seat? Find out why it’s not time to go out and buy a new one just yet.
Comfort Food & Kids
“When does emotional eating become something to worry about?” That’s a question posed by one of our parents and the focus of this month’s Ask Dr. Weiss &The Weiss Pediatric Care Team series. For the answer, we turned to Ethan Weiss, MS, MSW, a Child & Adolescent therapist (and Dr. Weiss’s and Diane’s son!).
IS MY CHILD SICK?
Is Your Child Sick? is a new feature on our website where you’ll find trustworthy medical advice and answers to the most common kid health and wellness questions – day or night!
Well-Child Care: A Check-Up for Success
Our well-child visits are one of the most important ways we help keep your child, and your whole family healthy. Because our preventative visits include much more than a comprehensive head to toe exam, these appointments often take between 30-60 minutes. Here are some things you can expect at a Weiss Pediatric Care well-child visit.
Ways To Connect In Play With Your Child
February’s “Ask Dr. Weiss & The Weiss Pediatric Care Team” question has to do with children, parents and play. For the answer, we turned to the experts at Forty Carrots Family Center. Many thanks to the parent who submitted this thoughtful question, and to the experts at Forty Carrots for providing words of wisdom…and a great link too.
Updated Schedule For Earlier Protection
Weiss Pediatric Care’s updated immunization schedule, based on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ and Center for Disease Controls’ recommendations, is designed to protect your child as early as possible from potentially deadly diseases such as measles and pertussis.
Swallowing Pills – Tips & Tricks
Jordyn, age 10, asked the first question in our new Ask Dr. Weiss & The Weiss Pediatric Care Team series. “When do I starting taking pills over liquid meds, such as Motrin?” Here is Dr. Weiss’s answer, along with tips and tricks for helping kids learn how to make the transition from liquid to pill medications.
Birth Defects Prevention Month!
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Whether you’re pregnant or may be pregnant some day, here’s what you can do to help reduce the risk of birth defects.
Weiss Pediatric Care Receives AAP Recognition
Weiss Pediatric Care is one of 14 practices statewide to participate in the Florida Pediatric Medical Home Demonstration Project, and one of two in the state invited to participate in a follow-up Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) Quality Demonstration Grant.
Celebrating Tara Cocco, ARNP
As our Nurse Practitioner, Tara has expanded our ability to see your children in a timeframe that is best for you through her availability for well and sick visits. She has also added new preventative care services that are improving the health and well-being of our kids.
Nurturing a Gratitude Attitude
Our children are watching and filtering their experiences through our parental lenses. Teaching an attitude of gratitude is a “hands on” sport!
Weiss Pediatric Care’s First Fit4AllKids Graduate
Hats off to Kevin, our first Fit4AllKids graduate. Kevin is just 9 years old, and he is already on the path to a lifetime of healthy habits!
Halloween Costumes & Masks: A Recipe for Toddler Fears
As a child development specialist, I knew right away that the gorilla costume would become part of family lore. Two year olds are often frightened by masks and things that don’t make sense to them – like the giant Mickey Mouse at Disney World, or the happily made-up clown at the circus.
Ebola & Enterovirus: Protecting Kids From Fear
At Weiss Pediatric Care, we want you to have all the latest information about Ebola and enterovirus so that you can calm your own fears, and talk to your children in ways that are age-appropriate and that minimize worry.
Weiss Pediatric Care Hosts First Family Advisory Council Meeting
While the Weiss Pediatric Care team meets regularly to focus on quality improvement goals, we rely on you, our parents and patients, to share your experiences and expertise with us so that our services are responsive to your needs. Our Family Advisory Council makes recommendations for practice improvements that will continue to inform what we do and how we do it at Weiss Pediatric Care.
2014-15 Flu Vaccine Shipping Delays Announced
It’s so frustrating to see signs all over town saying, “Get Your Flu Shots here!” Like you, we are wondering why the big stores have plenty of flu vaccine to go around while Pediatricians all over the country are waiting to receive orders placed months and months ago. Thanks for your patience as you wait, along with us, for the much anticipated delivery of our 2014-15 flu vaccines!
Forty Carrots Free Community Speaker Event – The Childhood Roots of Happiness
Don’t miss Forty Carrots Family Center’s 12th Annual Free Community Speaker Event on October 9th featuring Dr. Edward Hallowell, nationally recognized child expert and author. Dr. Hallowell will present The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness. Dr. Weiss and Diane will be there and we hope to see you there! Be sure to register early as space is limited.
Enterovirus and Children: Accurate Information for Parents
The internet and facebook are abuzz with news of a respiratory illness called enterovirus. At best, it causes mild symptoms like the cold, or even no symptoms at all. At its worst, it is sending children to the hospital. Weiss Pediatric Care offers evidenced-based answers to questions parents are asking, such as: “What is enterovirus? Who’s at risk? How is it treated?
Kids and Concussions: What Every Parent Should Know
With many school and community athletic programs already in full swing, we want to remind you to pay particular attention to head injuries.
Back to School: Time to Protect Your Kids Against The Flu
Kids pick up a lot more than a great education when they go back to school. Runny noses, tummy aches, and other easily shared illnesses begin to spread from child to child. Most illnesses aren’t worrisome and are easily treated at home. But when it comes to Influenza, or what we commonly refer to as the flu, complications can be serious.
A great school year starts now!
With less than one month to go, we at Weiss Pediatric Care encourage parents to start preparing children now for the new school year. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Congratulations to Kerri Bonich, Our Amazing Front Desk Specialist and More!
Weiss Pediatric Care is celebrating our Front Desk Specialist extraordinaire, Kerri Bonich, who recently received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Service Administration from the State College of Florida.
Stay Safe this 4th of July
Before you hand your children sparklers this year or invite them to join you in creating fireworks displays at home, consider these sobering facts.
Answers to Your Burning Questions
While we don’t encounter many blistering sunburns at Weiss Pediatric Care, we see far more sunburns than we’d like to, especially as the intensity of the sun and level of outdoor activities spike in the summer. Here are a few tips for enjoying a safer summer, and managing the discomfort of a burn that may not surface until hours after a day of fun in the sun.
Happy Anniversary Weiss Pediatric Care!
As we celebrate our one year anniversary, the Weiss Pediatric Care team is so grateful for the opportunity to provide the kind of medical care we feel is best for kids and their families. Thank you, patients and families, for embracing our dream, and believing in our vision.
From First Fibs to Tall Tales – Honest Advice for Dealing with Your Child’s Lies
Helping children understand the importance of honesty – and how lying, cheating or stealing can damage your credibility and friendships – is not a lesson that can be learned in one day, one month or one year – it has to sink in gradually, with ongoing parental guidance, as a child matures and faces ethical questions and dilemmas.
Here are a handful of strategies we recommend to help your child develop a better understanding of truthfulness:
Taking the Sting Out of Shots – 10 Tips to Ease Your Child’s Needle Fears
Immunizations can be stressful for children and parents alike. Here is Weiss Pediatric Care’s “Top 10” list of tried and true tips to help take the sting out of vaccinations. We hope you’ll let us know which ones work best for your child.
Weiss Pediatric Care Selected to Participate in State Demonstration Project
We’re so excited! Weiss Pediatric Care is one of 14 pediatric practices in the state chosen to participate in Florida’s Pediatric Medical Home Demonstration Project, and one of two Florida pediatric practices invited to be a part of a national pilot project, CHIPRA’s (Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act) Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition Facilitation Project.
Fever: More Friend than Foe?
Because fever is such a “hot” topic, here’s some advice about when to treat a fever, and when to let nature take its course.
Nurse Practitioner Completes Our Circle of Care
Meet Tara Cocco, ARNP, the newest member of the Weiss Pediatric Care Team. As a nurse practitioner, Tara will work with our care team to provide a full array of preventative, diagnostic and treatment services for sick and well children, as well as health education and support for our families.
Kids & Smart Phones – What’s the Right Age?
At what age is it safe for kids to have smart phones? It’s a question posed by parents in our practice almost every day. Although there is no clear answer as to when a child should get his or her first smart phone, experts agree that safety is paramount when a child does eventually get one.
When is it more than just a cold?
Although RSV will appear to be nothing more than a cold in some children, it actually is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, so it’s important for parents to recognize the signs and know when to seek medical care.
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Winter Chalkboard Artists!
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Winter Chalkboard Gallery features a sampling of our many talented artists and their works.
Sleepless in Sarasota?
Is your child misbehaving or simply missing sleep? Research demonstrates that a mere 41 minutes of sleep deprivation begins to diminish children’s coping skills and ability to reason; over time, too little sleep can lead to a host of emotional problems at home and school,
Make New Year’s Resolutions a Family Affair
New Year’s resolutions aren’t just from grown-ups. Children can learn a lot about self-discipline, creating good habits and the value of setting goals when we invite them to be a part of this annual tradition.
A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime
If we want to help our children develop realistic expectations and an attitude of gratitude, we must help them appreciate the beauty in giving not getting, and most importantly, to realize that it is not “things” that will satisfy their yearnings and make their holidays meaningful, but the love, connection, creativity and spirit of generosity that accompanies the exchange.
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Fall Chalkboard Artists!
Weiss Pediatric Care’s Fall Chalkboard Gallery showcases the work of some of our many talented children and parents.
The holidays can be cruel to our stomachs
All of us at Weiss Pediatric Care wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. But if you do find your holidays ending on a sour note, here are a few guidelines to help determine if your child’s stomach ache is more likely due to overindulgence or something more serious.
Honored by Our Peers
Sarasota Magazine’s annual health guide hit newsstands this month and we are proud to say that Dr. Weiss was highlighted as one of America’s Top Doctors in the field of Pediatrics.