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Pediatric Medicine Travel Clinic
Service!
Destination:
Healthy Travel
Three-year-old Rhoail and 18-month-old Jamal are the
proverbial pictures of good health when they meet
with Alan Roessler, MD, at Southern Tier Pediatrics.
And that's exactly how their parents intend to keep
their son's during an upcoming overseas trip.
The family is making an important first stop at the
Pediatric Travel Medicine Clinic before they venture
to Karachi, Pakistan. The travel clinic service,
which began this year, is geared specifically to
prevent potential medical problems in youngsters.
Though travel clinics have become standard fare at
many medical centers and clinics, STP physicians
felt there was a need for a specialized service for
children.
Youngsters travel abroad for many reasons. They
accompany parents for business trips, family
reunions, and humanitarian or mission-based
activities, for brief or prolonged periods. Teens
frequently travel independently with organized
groups or as exchange students for extended stays.
But while travel abroad offers a wealth of positive
new experiences for young people, it can also
provide some unpleasant ones if certain precautions
are not taken, particularly in poor countries.
"Children and teens increasingly are traveling to
international destinations, and there's always the
potential for them to be exposed to germs endemic to
regions that are relatively unfamiliar to most
local/NY physicians." says clinic director Alan
Roessler, MD, who trained in pediatric infectious
diseases.
The most common risks are malaria, typhoid fever,
yellow fever, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, diarrheal
disease and a plethora of parasitic infections that
can invade a youngster's intestinal tract. Such
illnesses are transmitted from person to person or
through water and food.
Healthy Bon Voyage
Indeed, information may be the best "vaccination" at
the Pediatric Travel Medicine Clinic at Southern
Tier Pediatrics. Doctor Roessler along with their
staff carefully scrutinize immunization records of
children to ensure they are updated; vaccinations
are administered if necessary. They ease parents'
minds about using mosquito repellants with their
children, and they warn them about the importance of
sanitation, keeping their bodies hydrated and how
best to avoid "traveler tummy."
Many illnesses traveling youngsters face can be
prevented by specialized vaccines, many of which are
not readily available in some New York communities.
The clinic, for example, offers the yellow fever
vaccine and certificate required in some African and
South American countries.
The Spears family is taking no chances before their
trip to Pakistan, where they will meet their
family/friends/grandparents/cousins. They've taken a
detour to STP Travel Clinic. The family is given
maps and brochures providing detailed information
about Pakistan.
In advance of meeting with the family, the doctor
has researched the Asian country and the
environmental conditions they're likely to
encounter. The doctor explains the medications they
will take, offers a variety of in-country travel and
health tips, and answers their questions.
To make appointments or for more information about
the Pediatric Travel Medicine Clinic, call (607)
734-2264.
F.F.I.S.T. Program
Fit Families In
the Southern Tier
WHAT IS F.F.I.S.T.?
F.F.I.S.T. IS BASED ON THE “TRIM KIDS” BOOK AND
FITNESS PROGRAM.
A local program for overweight children /
adolescents & their families. The focus is on
nutrition & lifestyle modification to promote weight
loss. F.F.I.S.T. is a collaborative endeavor of the
following individuals / organizations:
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Eat Well / Play Hard Coalition
Economic Opportunity Program
Local Fitness Consultants
Local Nutritionists
SCT BOCES
Southern Tier Pediatrics
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
A fee of $15.00 will be asked to cover instructional
materials. The main cost is TIME commitment!!!
LOCATION?
Ernie Davis Community Center Corner of 5th & Baldwin
Streets Elmira, NY 14901
WHO CAN ENROLL?
Children & adolescents from ages 6 to 17 years, who
are overweight and have been medically cleared by
their physicians.
Parent / caregiver involvement is a must!!!
HOW DO I ENROLL MY CHILD IN F.F.I.S.T.?
Contact Southern Tier Pediatrics if you are
interested in participating @734-2264.
A medical clearance by your physician is necessary.
