Pediatricians are specialists in caring for children from birth through age 21. Our board-certified physicians and physician assistant have special training in dealing with children's varied health needs. Some Winston-Salem Health Care (WSHC) pediatricians have advanced training in hematology and cardiology, allowing them to evaluate and care for children with blood disorders and cardiac conditions.
Pediatricians are trained to recognize and treat congenital defects and provide care for a number of infectious diseases in children. Many of these diseases can be prevented by immunization, which is the responsibility of the pediatrician. In addition, a pediatrician remains alert for disorders that usually first become apparent in childhood, e.g., allergies or immune deficiency diseases.

Services provided by our pediatricians include:

• Newborn care 
• Immunizations  
• Well child visits 
• School and sports physicals   
• Care for illness and injuries 
• Routine hearing and eye exams
• Other primary care services

Childhood Immunizations
We believe that every child has a right to a healthy future. We are fortunate that today's vaccines provide protection from the deadly illnesses of the past. Our physicians work with parents to verify that infants and children receive important protection from polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis, pneumonia, influenza and more.

Physicals
We encourage parents to schedule routine physicals for their young children and teenagers. Routine physicals allow pediatricians to assess your child's growth and development, as well as check his or her weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, hearing and other physical, emotional or social health concerns.

Physicals can be a time to check for scoliosis, diabetes, anemia and urological problems.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an annual physical for children through the age of six and then every other year, resuming an annual exam during the middle school and teen years. The exams provide a convenient opportunity for parents to talk about development and behavioral issues their children may be experiencing.

The annual visit is a good time to update immunizations. Most children receive their basic immunizations before age two, but tetanus, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and hepatitis B require booster shots in later years, and newer vaccines may not have been available when your children were younger. Bring your child's injection records with you to his or her appointment.