Upload
others
View
4
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A P u b l i c a t i o n o f Wa k e M e d C h i l d r e n’s
F A L L 0 9
The Flu BugIS IT A
CONCUSSION?
snack attack
F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 092
This year is not the typical flu
season. In addition to the
seasonal flu, we are also faced
with the H1N1 flu (previously
known as swine flu). We’ve pulled
together some general information
to help you understand the
differences in H1N1 versus the seasonal
flu and learn what you can do to protect
yourself and your family.
S Y M P T O M S
Many of the symptoms are similar for the
seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus. These
symptoms include some or all of the following:
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (more common in
children)
W H O C A N G E T T H E H 1 N 1 F L U
O R S E A S O N A L F L U ?
H1N1 influenza is impacting the younger subset of
our population – young children through college
age, and pregnant women. Research reveals that
healthy individuals born before 1957 have some
level of natural immunity to the H1N1 virus and
may not suffer severe symptoms from it.
In contrast, seasonal influenza tends to affect the
oldest and youngest subsets of our population.
Therefore, it is recommended that everyone,
particularly those with other health problems
(heart disease, cancer, kidney problems, asthma,
respiratory, diabetes), get their seasonal flu shot.
W H O S H O U L D G E T T H E F L U S H O T ?
All individuals regardless of age or health are
encouraged to get vaccinated for the H1N1 flu
and seasonal flu. Talk to your pediatrician if you
have any concerns or questions.
T I P S T O P R E V E N T
T H E F L U
• Wash your hands often
with soap and warm water,
especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based hand
cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash
after you use it.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or
sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow,
not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with the flu, stay home from
work or school and limit contact with others
to keep from making them sick.
• Get the recommended seasonal flu vaccine.
• Get the recommended H1N1 vaccine when it
becomes available.
W H E N T O S E E K M E D I C A L C A R E
Emergent symptoms in children:
• Bluish skin tone
• Irregular, fast or difficulty breathing
• Extreme irritability – does not want to be held
• Symptoms improve then return worse than
before
• Failure to consume fluids
• Difficulty waking up
• Not interacting
Emergent symptoms in adults:
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest or abdomen pain and/or pressure
• Mental confusion
• Dizziness that comes on suddenly
• Severe, persistent vomiting
For the latest information about the flu and
additional educational resources, visit
www.wakemed.org, www.wakegov.com/flu and
www.flu.gov.
F I G H T
T H E F L U
H E A L T H Y
H A B I T Ss
3A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S
If you’ve ever bumped your noggin (and pretty much everyone has), you can probably relate to the
dizziness, confusion, sleepiness, headache, or even a bit of nausea you may have experienced. But
do you realize that you probably experienced a concussion? Many
of us associate the word “concussion” with a loss of consciousness.
While that is true in the case of a level 3 concussion, the milder
versions (1 and 2) can be just as dangerous if you – or your kids – don’t take a
time out.
“In sports, we often call these ‘sideline concussions’ because the kids get hit,
take a seat for a moment, and when they feel a little better, they jump back in
the game,” said Kevin Rathke, MD, a child and adolescent neurologist with
Raleigh Neurology. “While they may feel fine at the moment, they are at risk
for another hit.”
That second impact can cause significant brain damage or even death. In fact,
two high school football players died from head injuries during the 2008
season. One was confirmed to have died due to the second hit.
Whether your child plays football, cheers, or just horses around on the
outdoor swing set, it’s important that they take at least a 24-hour time out
from rough play after
hitting their head. “It
gives the brain some time
to recover and reduces
the chance of taking a
second hit that could
cause significant
damage,” advised Dr.
Rathke.
If your child experiences dizziness, confusion, sleepiness,
headaches, or nausea, it is usually a grade 1 concussion. If
these symptoms last beyond 15 minutes, it is often
classified as a grade 2 concussion. A visit to the doctor will
rule out anything serious. A longer break from rough
activities – usually a couple of weeks – is often
recommended.
But if your child becomes unconscious and is
unresponsive for any amount of time, this automatically
constitutes a grade 3 concussion. Your child should be
taken to the emergency room for immediate evaluation.
“Any time your brain is injured, you lose a reserve of
brain cells,” explained Dr. Rathke. “While kids and even adults sometimes think it’s ‘uncool’ to sit out after a
blow to the head, you have to do it to give your brain a chance to recover.”
Concussion: It’s More Common than You Think
AT LEAST ONE PLAYER SUSTAINS A MILDCONCUSSION IN NEARLY EVERY AMERICANFOOTBALL GAME.
D E D I C A T E D
C O N C U S S I O N C L I N I C
In conjunction with Raleigh
Neurology, WakeMed recently
opened a dedicated Concussion
Clinic on the WakeMed Raleigh
Campus. Under the leadership of
a pediatric neurologist, the team
includes occupational therapists,
physical therapists and speech
language pathologists. The Clinic
sees children ages 10 to 17 who
have recently had a sports-related
head trauma (within two weeks).
Its goals are to diagnose
concussions, provide follow-up
care for concussion patients, and
determine when it is safe for
athletes to return to play after
getting a concussion.
To make an appointment, call
919-350-4340.
4 F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 09
H O S P I T A L
H I G H L I G H Tz
WakeMed has a long history of
caring for the smallest infants
and critically-ill babies in its
Level IV Intensive Care Nursery
at the WakeMed Raleigh
Campus, the most experienced
and technologically advanced in Wake County. And now it
will be expanding by 12 additional beds for a total of 48 to
increase the number of babies it can care for.
When the new rooms are constructed, they will be built as
private rooms, which will allow parents to sleep in the room
and care for their hospitalized infants. Several of the new
private rooms will accommodate twins, triplets or more
multiples, which will further enhance the family experience.
“Currently, care in our ICN is provided to babies in pods,
which affords families more privacy than most ICNs and
enables us to better control the light and noise to which
premature infants are very sensitive,” commented Elizabeth
Rice, director of women’s and children’s services. “The new
private rooms will allow us to control and customize the
babies’ environment according to individual needs and also
improve our ability to provide more family-centered care.”
Future plans include transitioning the current 36 neonatal
beds to private rooms.
Currently, the ICN treats approximately 650 babies a year
and serves as a regional referral center. The staff consists of
neonatologists, perinatologists, nurse practitioners,
pediatric psychologists, child development specialists,
speech language pathologists, registered nurses and PhD-
level physical therapists. It is also home to the WakeMed
Mother’s Milk Bank, one of nine human milk donation
programs in the country and the only one in the Southeast.
The Intensive Care Nursery will be directly linked to the
Children’s Hospital that will be located on the fourth floor
of the new patient tower currently under construction on
the WakeMed Raleigh Campus. For more about the
WakeMed Children’s Hospital, see the back cover.
WA K E M E D ’ S I NT E N S I V E
C A R E NUR S E RY
Desiree Jones, RN, cares for one of the more than 650 babies treated each year in the ICN.
5A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S
During their first eight-week prenatal visit,
Ana and Abinadi Ehrisman received a
happy surprise. Twin boys. Planning
ahead, the couple selected names: Ben
and Cooper.
Month by month, happiness slowly ceded to concern as the
young couple learned during an 18-week visit that Ben was
2-1/2 weeks smaller than Cooper. Ben’s placenta – his home
in his mother’s womb – had begun to slowly leak, causing
Ben to grow at a much slower rate.
Medical staff at WakeMed’s ICN monitored the twins closely.
Finally at 25 weeks, Ana was admitted to the Women’s
Pavilion & Birthplace - Raleigh so she and the boys could
be monitored daily. Ana stayed in the hospital for four
weeks.
“While I was there, the doctors, nurses, and other medical
staff were like our second family. I toured the Intensive
Care Nursery and had a chance to see babies who were
born in a high-risk situation. It gave me comfort to see
how much care and attention these babies and their
families received from the ICN staff,” Ana recalled.
Finally at 29 weeks, the doctors felt the boys had reached a
critical juncture. Although Ben measured only 23 weeks, it
was time to welcome him into the world.
Abinadi recalled a night he describes as the most stressful of
his life. “It was very stressful when the doctors said they’d
have to deliver right away or both boys might die. The
doctors and nurses were concerned that Ben might be too
small for the ventilation equipment and tubes.”
A C-section was performed and the Ehrisman twins were
delivered.
When Ben was born, it took four hours to stabilize him. He
weighed only 1 lb., 3 oz., and was unable to breathe on his
own. He was jaundiced and had many other complications.
Cooper weighed 2 lbs. 13 oz.
“The first time we saw Ben, it was traumatic,” recalls Ana.
“Wires, lines, heart monitors, ventilators, tubes to drain
what was in his belly. The nurses were constantly taking
blood to check gasses to make sure Ben had the right balance
of oxygen. I remember the doctors telling me that for about
a month, Ben was the smallest baby in Wake County.”
Abinadi agrees, “Both boys were so fragile. Ben was so small
that my mom’s wedding ring fit on his shoulder.”
Cooper remained in the ICN for eight weeks; and Ben,
for 16.
Ana admits, “It is not a pleasant experience to have your babies
away from you while you and your husband are at home. But
everyone at the WakeMed ICN made it as comforting an
experience as possible. The nurses were always willing to take
my calls. I’d be up pumping in the middle of the night and I’d
call them. They always seemed delighted to hear from me. The
doctors and nurses went far and beyond to include me in
decisions about the boys. Even today, two years later, if I stop
by, the nurses ask about Cooper and Ben.”
How are these two boys doing today? They just celebrated
their 2nd birthday and are into what all 2-year-old little
boys are into – everything!
LEFT: Cooper, left and Ben Ehrisman; ABOVE:
Cooper, left, and Ben after being discharged from
the hospital.
C A R I NG FO R T H E S M A L L E ST BABY I N WA K E C OUNT Y
6 F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 09
T Y K E
B I T E SuIf you are like a growing number of parents
frustrated with unhealthy snacks after sports
games and practices, here’s food for
thought. That’s all about to change if Laura
Aiken has any say.
As director of Advocates for Health in
Action (AHA), Laura has been pushing to
implement healthy snack policies for kids’
sports organizations from the ground up.
AHA is a group of diverse organizations
and community members who are
shaping the environment throughout
Wake County so healthful eating and
physical activity are the way of life.
Here is an interview with Laura
about the growing interest in this
healthy snack initiative.
H O W D I D T H E H E A LT H Y
S N A C K I N I T I A T I V E G E T
S T A R T E D ?
Many health advocates and parents in
the Wake County area were tired of
feeling pressured to bring unhealthy
snacks and/or have unhealthy snacks
provided to their children after sports
games. A group of these parents
began to talk to others and decided to
make a change. They took their ideas
to local pediatricians, who applauded
the idea of advocating for healthy
snacks.
Advocates for AHA and the Wake
County Fitness Council began
working on the project. We worked
with physicians, nutritionists, health
educators and exercise physiologists to
develop healthy snack ideas.
W H A T I S T H E G O A L O F T H E
P R O G R A M ?
AHA and Wake County Council on
Health and Fitness experts evaluated
snacking habits of children
participating in sports in Wake
County. The groups determined that
snacks are rarely necessary before or after
practice. That’s because practices are
typically just before or immediately after a
meal. If a snack is necessary, the best choice
is a fresh fruit or veggie followed by
alternatives of dried fruit, no sugar-added
applesauce, or canned fruits packaged in
their own juice.
Our goal is for all youth-serving
organizations to implement a healthy
snacking policy so that kids are only eating
healthy snacks at practices and games.
H O W D O P A R E N T S
G E T K I D S O N B O A R D ?
Get the kids involved in selecting the snack
they would like to bring. Once the kids
expect the snack to be fruits or veggies, it
shouldn’t be an issue. Coaches and parents
can educate kids on the importance of
healthy snacks in good athletic
performance. Many pediatricians will be
distributing our information at well child
visits and sports physicals to help reinforce
the message.
H O W D O Y O U G E T O T H E R
P A R E N T S I N V O LV E D ?
The best thing that could happen would be
for the organization, coach or team parent
to make healthy snacks the expectation. If
policies are not adopted, it’s important for
the parents who really believe in this to be
firm and only bring healthy snacks. AHA
will continuously work with organizations to
help them make this policy.
The Healthy Snacking Project was
developed by AHA partners, the Wake
County Council on Health and Fitness, and
Community Care of Wake and Johnston
Counties. The Wake County medical
community has embraced this project and
several area physicians have signed a letter
endorsing it. For more information, visit
www.advocatesforhealthinaction.org.
H E A LT H Y S NACK DUT YInitiative Offers Parents, Coaches Snacking Alternatives
Fruit and water are always the best
snack choices for kids on the move.
Not only is grabbing fresh fruit and
water fast and easy, it’s cost effective,
too. Try these popular options:
>> Orange and apple wedges
>> Fresh peaches and pears
>> Dried fruit and raisins
>> Bananas, grapes and strawberries
>> Fruit cups (packed in juice) or
applesauce
>> Ice cold water - no need for sugar
packed sport drinks
I am your brain. feed me right.
I work hard all day...but especially hard at night.
I control your heart, your feelings, your lungs.I am even the one that allows you to run.When you spy a nest full of bees,
it’s my voice that insists you flee!
If you sometimes feel like you just can’t think,
give me a bluebe
rry smoothie to drink.
Eggs, walnuts, oatmeal, and fruitfortify me to give boredom the boot.
When you move your body and exercise
I get more oxygen, which helps make me thrive.
These tips can help me feel my best and help you ace all your tests.Because even while you sleep at nightYour brain is never ever at rest.
7A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S
K I D S F I R S Ttwinkle times
a r t i c l e s , g a m e s , p u z z l e s a n d a c t i v i t i e s j u s t f o r k i d s !
F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 09
K I D S F I R S T
8
s
T W I N K L E S A Y S
I love to exercise my brain. See if you canfind your way out of this tricky brain teaser.
S T A R T
E J Y N W E Y L Q Q R I H E Y
F R U I T J U I C E B A R G B
L P N V B U I P L R H X Y N Q
T O E X A F S P B X D S W A U
J K W A C V P N K U R I D R F
S L H F R A P K J W F U U O I
Z H B D A B W Z B I A Q B P Q
O Y B L A T Q G J Q A O P G V
A Z R N B S Y B F I Y G R D O
X Y A E P Q D O S C G N E K A
U N F O L S B K G F N A T U K
A Y U R T E L W Y U O D Z R X
O X L P T T C A A P R H E F C
L S L K A S P N Y O R T L O O
T O R R A C B A G E L V S U R
W O R D S E A R C H Circle the 10 healthy snacks.
apple, celery, pear, bagel, fruit-juice bar, pretzels, banana, low-fat
yogurt, carrot, orange T H E F O O D Q U I ZIt’s very important for your health to eat a balanced
diet. Eating the right mix of foods everyday helps you
grow strong and gives you lots of energy. See if you
know the answers to our healthy food quiz.
1. What is a dried grape called?
A. Raisin
B. Prune
C. Wrinkly
2. Apples, carrots and tomatoes belong
to which food group?
A. Milk and dairy
B. Fruit and vegetables
C. Meat and fish
3. How many portions of fruit and vegetables
should you eat every day?
A. 5
B. 3
C. 1
4. What color fruit and vegetables
should you eat to stay healthy?
A. Only the green variety
B. Only the red variety
C. Choose a mixture of
colors and varieties
M O N K E Y S E E Can you see the 12 things that are
different between these two cartoons?
I SPY, Ten circles and 6 sqaures. MONEKYSEE 2,Rows 3 and 4 are themirror images of each other. FOOD QUIZ (1) a; (2) b; (3) a; (4) c; (5) b; (6) a;(7) a; (8) b; (9) c. HANDWASHING MIX-UP:1. Wet hands 2. Soap 3. Wash for20 seconds 4. Rinse 5. Dry 6. Turn off water with paper towel
A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S 9
M O N K E Y S E E 2Which two rows of monkeys are exact mirror images
of each other? See answer on page 8.
I S P YHow many circles can you find in the top puzzle?
How many sqaures do you see in the bottom
puzzle? See answer on page 8.
F I N I S H
5. Fruit and vegetables
are very good for you
because they contain
lots of:
A. Fat
B. Vitamins and minerals
C. Starch
6. Vitamin C is good for you and helps fight
against colds. It can be mostly found in:
A. Fruit and vegetables
B. Meat and fish
C. Chocolate and crisps
7. Which of these is a green vegetable?
A. Broccoli
B. Carrot
C. Turnip
8. Which one of the following is a citrus fruit?
A. Banana
B. Orange
C. Peach
9. What vegetable can make you cry when
it’s peeled?
A. Carrot
B. Potato
C. Onion
H A N D W A S H I N G M I X - U P These six steps to washing your
hands have gotten mixed-up. Can you put the steps in the proper order? Then color,
cut out and put on your bathroom mirror to remind you how to wash correctly. See
answers on page 8.
R I N S E
D R Y T U R N O F F WAT E Rwith paper towelS O A P
W E T H A N D SWA S H
for 20 seconds
pediatric neurologist
so meday I ’ d
l i keto
be
a…
som
ed
ay
I ’ dl i ke
tobe a…
meet Kevin Rathke, MD S p e c i a l t y
Child and Adolescent Neurology
P r a c t i c e
Raleigh Neurology
Ye a r s i n P r a c t i c e
Six
E d u c a t i o n
I completed medical school at theMercer University School of Medicine.I trained in pediatrics at the University of TennesseeChattanooga, then completed a fellowship in child andadolescent neurology as well as neurophysiology/epilepsy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
W h y I c h o s e c h i l d a n d a d o l e s c e n t n e u r o l o g y
I was interested in pediatrics and fascinated by the brain and seizures.
F a v o r i t e p a r t o f m y w o r k d a y
I just like working with the kids. They are so innocent anddidn’t do anything wrong to make themselves sick.
M y m o s t a m a z i n g e x p e r i e n c e a s a p h y s i c i a n
Having a child wake up after weeks of a coma and seizures andgo on to recover. It’s great to see them smile!
M y a d v i c e t o k i d s t h i n k i n g a b o u t a c a r e e r i n
n e u r o l o g y
The brain is really the last frontier…we understand a lot aboutthe rest of the body, but we still don’t know a lot about thebrain. There is still a lot to learn and explore!
F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 0910
U S E Y O U R I M A G I N A T I O N !
Twinkle has been thinking about what he would be like if he were
a fruit or vegetable. What would you be like if YOU were a fruit or
vegetable? Use the space below to draw a picture of yourself as
your favorite fruit or veggie.
B R A I NFA C T S
• Your brain is made up of two halves that look like a soft, white,
wrinkly walnut.
• It is more powerful and faster than any computer in the world!
• Most of your thinking and sensing takes place in the top parts of the
brain.
• Your brain sends some messages automatically, like messages that tell your heart
to beat or your lungs to take in air and then push it out. It can even tell your
hands to fly in front of your face if you see something coming toward you,
like a ball.
• Your brain is linked to every part of your body by long, thin nerves that look like shiny
pieces of string. It sends messages through the nerves to tell your body what to do!
• Messages from different parts of your body travel to your brain very quickly. Some travel
248 miles an hour, which means a message goes from your knee to your brain in just
one-hundredth of a second! For example, when you bang your knee on the ground, it takes
less than a second to signal your brain that you’ve been hurt, and even less for you to yell,
“ouch!”
• Unlike cut or scraped skin, your brain cannot repair itself. Protect it in every way!
Your brain needs exercise just like your body. You can keep it healthy by:
• Working a crossword or Sudoku puzzle
• Memorizing the words to your favorite song or poem
• Quizzing your friends and have them quiz you
• Completing your homework every day – it will help you remember what you’ve learned in school!
• Writing or drawing with your opposite hand
Helmet SafetyS A F E K I D S
C O R N E R W
ADVISORY PANEL
Jerry Bernstein, M.D., Raleigh Pediatric Associates, PA
Janice Frohman, R.N., Administrative Director, WakeMed Emergency Services
Melissa Johnson, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist, WakeMed Faculty Physicians, Pediatrics/Neonatology
Courtney Mann, M.D., Medical Director, WakeMed Children’s Emergency Department
Elizabeth Rice, R.N., Director, Women's and Children's Services
Debra Z. Laughery, Vice President of Public Relations
Michele Jonczak, Editor
Leesa Brinkley, Design
Published by the WakeMed Public Relations Department. Call 350-8120 with comments or suggestions.
WakeMed Health & Hospitals3000 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27610
© WakeMed, 2009 Children’s
100 Piece Solar System Jigsaw PuzzleRecommended Ages: 6+ years
Price: $7.99
Kids of all ages (and their parents) will enjoy putting together
this durable 100-piece cardboard jigsaw puzzle. The finished
product features colorful planets, moons and asteroids.
Fishing Magnetic Puzzle GameRecommended Ages: 3+ years
Price: $9.99
This magnetic wooden puzzle will keep your child’s attention as
they work to catch the 10 colorful fish with the magnetic fishing
pole. Plus, it encourages hand-eye and fine motor development.
P A R E N TP I C K S p
At a loss on what to do when your child is home sick and needs to stay relaxed to
recover? These puzzles are sure to keep your child content while he spends the day
fighting a cold or flu. There is something for kids of all ages and interests at
www.melissaanddoug.com.
Bike helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. And,
with cool styles for every taste, it’s really not hard to get kids to wear their helmets,
especially if their pals and parents are wearing them, too. (Besides, it’s N.C. law for
anyone under 16 to wear one.)
What’s a little trickier is getting it to fit correctly. And just how often should they be replaced?
“It may take several adjustments, but make sure that your child’s helmet fits snugly and sits flat
on the top of his or her head. The bill of the helmet should only be about two finger lengths
above their eyebrow,” said Siobhan Davis, Injury Prevention Representative with WakeMed's
Injury Prevention program. ”If the straps appear tight in one area and loose in another, take the
time to get it right. Your child, depending on his or her age, should be able to snap it closed
without pinching their skin or causing a rash from rubbing.”
Davis suggests you check the fit regularly since children tend to go through regular growth
spurts. Be sure to purchase an approved helmet that has the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety
Commission) sticker of approval.
Any time your child crashes and the helmet takes the impact, it is advised that the helmet be
replaced. Older children don’t always report a fall, so inspect helmets regularly for cracked foam,
cracked plastic, and broken buckles. “It cannot protect your child if it is damaged,” added Davis.
And remember, if you and your family take a bike ride to the park, be sure to remind your child
to take off the helmet before hitting the jungle gym or climbing trees as it can get caught on
play equipment or limbs.
W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I T A L U P D A T E
The new WakeMed Children’s Hospital is
scheduled to open in spring 2010. The 45-bed
hospital will be located on the 4th floor of the
new patient tower currently under construction
on the Raleigh Campus, and will be Wake
County’s first dedicated Children’s Hospital.
It will enhance and expand services that
WakeMed can provide to children and
increase much needed in-patient beds. It will
feature an inpatient unit with all private,
kid-friendly rooms; a Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit; an observation unit for children
requiring less than a 24-hour stay; an
expanded Level IV Intensive Care Nursery;
and expanded surgical capabilities, new
technologies and additional pediatric sub
specialists. Amenities will also include
significantly larger rooms, in-room accommodations for parents in
the PICU, and teen and kid playrooms for patients. The hospital will
have a dedicated elevator direct to the fourth floor from the lobby of
the main hospital for increased privacy and security.
To support the new Children’s Hospital you can make a contribution
to the WakeMed Foundation Just For Kids Kampaign that will underwrite
this very important project. For more information about the
campaign, call 919-350-7656 or visit kids.wakemed.org
N E W S &N O T E Si
NonprofitOrganizationU.S. PostageP A I DRaleigh, NCPermit NO. 1307
A P u b l i c a t i o n o f Wa k e M e d C h i l d r e n’s Wa keMed 3000 New Bern Avenue Ra le i gh NC 27 610
A D D R E S S S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D
We’re going on-line!We are in the process of transitioning Families First to an online
publication. To do so, we need your e-mail address so we can notify you when a new issue is released. Please send your name and e-mail address to [email protected]. All information
will be kept confidential.If you have any questions, please call 350-STAR.We hope you will join us on our journey online.
Home to the new Children’s Hospital, the new patient tower on the
WakeMed Raleigh Campus is progressing nicely.
K E E P I N G C O N N E C T E D• Follow us on Twitter @wakemedchildren
• Become a fan of WakeMed on Facebook
• Share your WakeMed story at
childrencantwait.org
Families First is a quarterly
newsletter for parents and kids
(under age 10) who belong to
the WakeMed Families
First Club. If you haven’t
already joined, send your
name and e-mail address to
If your family has outgrown the
information provided by this
newsletter or you no longer wish
to receive it, please call us at
350-STAR.