Daniel Alexander, MD Peds Happenings

Peds
Happenings
Scarecrows in the
Garden
Our 9’ tall Doc McStuffins
scarecrow won
Honorable Mention
at the Dothan Area
Botanical Gardens 2015
Scarecrow Trail. You
can see pictures on the
Dothan Peds Facebook
page.
National Peanut
Festival Parade
We’re proud to announce
the Dothan Ped’s Ferris
wheel float won the Jack
M. Tyson - Most Creative
and Original award in the
2015 National Peanut
Festival Blue Ribbon
Memories parade. If you
missed it, check out the
pictures on the Dothan
Peds Facebook page.
Enterprise Christmas
Parade
The Blues Brothers
showed up on our
float at the Enterprise
Christmas parade. The
way we look at it, if
you’re gonna have a
blue Christmas you may
as well enjoy it! Our
float won First Place –
Commercial Division
and Best Overall Float
of the parade! You
can see pictures on
the Enterprise Peds
Facebook page.
Welcome Daniel Alexander, M.D.
New physician joins Dothan
Pediatric Clinic staff.
WINTER 2016
D
othan Pediatric Healthcare
Network is proud to announce
the association of Daniel Alexander,
M.D.
Dr. Alexander joined our practice
as a pediatrician in December 2015.
He’s a graduate of Cornell University
where he received his Bachelor
of Science in Applied Economics
and Business Management. He
earned his Doctor of Medicine
degree from St. George’s University
School of Medicine, Grenada. After
completing a three-year Pediatric
Residency program at Maimonides
Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York,
Dr. Alexander trained in Pediatric
Critical Care at Children’s Hospital,
Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Alexander is certified by the
American Academy of Pediatrics
and is a member of the Alabama
chapter. He is also a member of the
Medical Association of the State
of Alabama and Houston County
Medical Society. Dr. Alexander
and his wife, Dr. Andi Alexander,
live in Donalsonville, Georgia with
their children Hannah, Hayes, Ellie,
Kaitlyn, and Andrew. In his free time,
Dr. Alexander enjoys playing tennis.
A New Look
Many of you are probably familiar
with our traditional logo, from staff
uniforms to the patient documents
you receive when you checkout.
But don’t be surprised if you begin
seeing something different. We
are proud to
unveil
our
new
logo
and branding
initiative.
Although
each of our clinics will be a little
different, you’ll still see the familiar 4
faces of child development—a little
more colorful now!
Peds
Happenings
(cont.)
Congrats to Linda
Knowles
After 34
years, Linda
Knowles
retired in
December
2015 from
Dothan
Pediatric Clinic. Linda
was DPC’s first Medical
Laboratory Technician
and helped the DPC
lab get its initial
certifications through
CLIA and COLA. She
loves dancing and
cooking and we are so
happy she’s been a part
of our team for the past
34 years. Linda, we wish
you the best of luck in
your retirement. We will
miss you greatly!
Congrats to Karen
Arthurs
After 14
years,
Karen
Arthurs
retired in
December 2015 from
Dothan Pediatric Clinic.
Karen was a Certified
Medical Assistant and
Forms Management
Clerk for DPC. Karen
was a hard-working
employee and would
always help however
she could. Her favorite
place to eat is Olive
Garden and she loves
spending time with her
grandchildren. Best of
luck, Karen. We will miss
you!
2 | PEDSPAGES | Winter 2016
Ozark Pediatric Clinic
We’re
growing
again!
Dothan
Pediatric Healthcare
Network expanded
our network of
satellite clinics to
Ozark, Alabama on
January 4, 2016.
Initially the clinic is located within
the Dale Medical Surgery Center at
2126 West Roy Parker Road, right off
of Highway 231. We plan to build
and open a brand new clinic in June
2016 at 2125 West Roy Parker Road
(across the street from the Dale
Medical Surgery Center).
Dr. Kenneth Brown of Dothan
Pediatric Clinic is the leading
pediatrician at Ozark Pediatric Clinic
How to Talk About Sex With Your Teen
Dr. Brown of Dothan
Pediatric Clinic is the leading
pediatrician at Ozark
Pediatric Clinic
and began seeing patients during
the first week of January. He is joined
by Tera Knighton, CPNP, a nurse
practitioner from Dothan Pediatric
Clinic.
We are excited about the
opportunity to further our reach and
serve more residents of the Wiregrass
region. To schedule appointments
or if you have questions, you can call
334.445.PEDS (7337). You can also
visit our website:
www.ozarkpediatricclinic.com
Follow us on Social Media!
Did you know that all of our clinics
are on Social Media? Follow us on
Instagram and Like us on Facebook,
where you can find the latest news
about the clinic, enter
contests to win great
prizes, and receive
parenting tips.
A Letter from Dr. Brown
Dear Patients
and Parents:
The Wiregrass
is a special
place and I
have
been
blessed to be
able to serve
the children
of this area for
over 16 years.
Recently,
Dothan Pediatric Clinic was given
an opportunity to expand to Ozark.
I have volunteered to relocate my
practice to our new satellite clinic.
While I am extremely excited about
this career step, I am also saddened
and am well aware that not all of
my current patients will be able to
relocate with me. Fortunately, we
have hired two new pediatricians for
our Dothan location. I look forward
to continuing to serve the Wiregrass
at Ozark Pediatric Clinic beginning
January 4, 2016.
Kenneth Brown, M.D., F.A.A.P.
With Valentine’s Day and
prom season approaching,
what better time to talk with
your teen about sex. Many
parents find this discussion
difficult and uncomfortable.
Use these tips to help.
Sex is a very personal and private
matter. Many parents find it difficult
to talk with their children about sex.
Teens may be too embarrassed, not
trust their parent’s advice, or prefer
not to talk with their parents about
it. But sex is an important topic to
talk about.
The following tips may help make
talking with your teen easier:
• Be prepared. Read about the
subject so your own questions are
answered before talking with your
teen. Practice what you plan to
say with your spouse or partner, a
friend, or another parent. This may
make it easier to talk with your
teen when the time comes. Speak
calmly and clearly.
• Be honest. Let your teen know that
talking about sex isn’t easy for you
but that you think it’s important
that information about sex comes
from you. And even though you
would prefer that your values be
accepted, ultimately decisions
about sex are up to your teen. If
your teen disagrees with you or
gets angry, take heart, you have
been heard. These talks will help
your teen develop a solid value
system, even if it’s different from
your own.
• Listen. Give your teen a chance
to talk and ask questions. It’s
important that you give your full
attention.
parents. If your teen doesn’t want
to talk with you about sex and tells
you that it’s none of your business,
be firm and say that it is your
business. Your teen should know
that you’re asking out of love and
concern, especially because there
are potentially harmful situations.
If your teen is quiet when you try
to talk about sex, say what you
have to say anyway. Your message
may get through.
• Ask for help. If you just can’t talk
to your teen about sex, ask your
pediatrician; a trusted aunt or
uncle; or a minister, priest, or rabbi
for help. Also, many parents find it
useful to give their teens a book
on human sexuality and say, “Take
a look at this, and let’s talk.”
Be prepared, be honest,
listen, and try to strike a
balance when talking with
• Try to strike a balance. While teens your teen.
need privacy, they also need
information and guidance from
When it comes to something
as important as sex and
sexuality, nothing can
replace your influence.
about sex, their children may want
to try it. Teens are curious about sex,
whether you talk to them about it or
not. Studies show that teens whose
parents talk openly about sex are
actually more responsible in their
sexual behavior.
When it comes to something
as important as sex and sexuality,
nothing can replace your influence.
You are the best person to teach
your teen about relationships, love,
commitment, and respect in what
you say and by your own example.
SOURCE: Talking With Your Teen
About Sex (Copyright © 2004
American Academy of Pediatrics,
Reaffirmed
7/2012)
Updated:
November 21, 2015
Parents often fear that if they talk
3 | PEDSPAGES | Winter 2016
Clinic Hours
Influenza (Flu) Symptoms
Influenza (also known as the flu)
is a contagious respiratory illness
caused by flu viruses. It can cause
mild to severe illness, and at times
can lead to death. The flu is different
from a cold. The flu usually comes
on suddenly. People who have the
flu often feel some or all of these
symptoms:
• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting
and diarrhea, though this is more
common in children than adults.
Dothan Peds
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 8am-11am*
Sunday: 1pm-4pm*
*Sick children only on a
walk-in basis
Eufaula Peds
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
Enterprise Peds
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
Ozark Peds
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
The Westgate Center
Mon-Thu: 8am-5pm
Friday: 8am-12pm
Holiday Hours
Sunday, March 27
All clinics closed
Easter
Sunday, May 8
All clinics closed
Mother’s Day
* It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 9, 2015 &
Häggström, Mikael. “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014”. Wikiversity
Journal of Medicine 1 (2).
4 | PEDSPAGES | Winter 2016
Dothan Pediatric Clinic | 334.793.1881 | dothanpediatricclinic.com
Eufaula Pediatric Clinic | 334.619.0940 | eufaulapediatricclinic.com
The Westgate Center | 334.699.3733 | thewestgatecenter.com
Enterprise Pediatric Clinic | 334.308.1166 | enterprisepediatricclinic.com
Ozark Pediatric Clinic | 334.445.7337 | ozarkpediatricclinic.com
Monday, May 30
All clinics closed
Memorial Day