Many of you have likely seen recent media reports regarding the nasal spray flu vaccine for this coming season. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (a committee at the Center for Disease Control) voted that live attenuated influenza vaccine – commonly referred to as the Flumist -should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season….
Read moreWarm weather is finally upon us, and along with sunny days come pesky bugs! Mosquitoes and ticks are just part of the summer experience, but some can harbor illnesses that can be passed on to humans and have the potential to make us sick. And this year, with Zika so often in the news, everyone…
Read moreFor months now news and social media outlets have featured stories on the spread of the Zika virus and the dangers it presents. With the upcoming Olympic Games in South America – not to mention summer travel season approaching – that leaves parents with a lot of questions. I wrote about Zika a few months…
Read moreLong summer days are ahead, and expectations are high. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of summer fun to make this summer awesome. This list of Chicago-area family fun is mostly free too! You’re welcome. Have ideas to add? Send them our way by posting it on our Facebook page. 1. River Park: This…
Read moreChristine Nogal and her husband met with several before ultimately meeting Dr. Cathy DiVincenzo and deciding that Kids First was the best fit for their family. Describing what sets our practice apart from others, Nogal says, “I think it’s just the feeling you get. The values, care and level of professionalism far surpass other practices.”…
Read moreMany studies have shown that mothers can have trouble maintaining breastfeeding after returning to work. However, the date they return to employment is far less significant than the number of hours they work, according to the study, “Timing of Return to Work and Breastfeeding in Australia,” in the June 2016 Pediatrics. Working 19 hours or…
Read moreWe wish all our Kids First moms a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday! In honor of the occasion, we want to encourage all moms, at all stages of parenting to take a moment this week to consider how to take better care of yourself. Because let’s be honest, mom’s needs always come last. And…
Read moreMothering is hard work. It is constant work. It is so easy to stop caring for yourself or to get overwhelmed. But, when you stop caring for yourself, your ability to care for your child is impacted and your ability to enjoy motherhood is impacted. My Best Advice: Take Care of Yourself As a pediatric hospitalist, a…
Read moreNearly two years ago, Julie Han and her husband learned she was pregnant with their third child many years after their second had been born. The welcome surprise was a shock for them, and amidst the startling news, they took comfort in knowing their baby would receive excellent pediatric care from Kids First Pediatric Partners…
Read moreBreastfeeding, a decrease in smoking and the use of new bacterial and flu vaccines have helped reduce the incidence of ear infections in babies age 12 months or younger in recent years, according to a new study, “Acute Otitis Media and Viral Respiratory Infections” in the April 2016 Pediatrics. The study found that nearly half…
Read moreThis past year I fulfilled a goal of passing along my knowledge and passion for nursing to students in nursing school. When I was in high school and attempting to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was torn between two interests: nursing and teaching. My mom was a teacher…
Read moreNearly 14 years ago, Aisha Ghori Ozaki became a first-time parent several weeks before she and her husband expected. The couple hadn’t yet spoken to the pediatrician they had chosen, Dr. Cathy DiVincenzo, and they met her for the first time soon after their son’s premature birth. Fortunately, they had one less matter to worry…
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