Samaritan Healthcare | The Samaritan | Winter 2018

Medication safety tips for babies Giving medicine to ba- bies can be tricky. Medi- cine you think can help your baby could actually hurt your little one if you give a drug that isn’t appropriate for infants or accidentally give the wrong dose. Here’s how to help keep your baby safe: Get an OK. Always check with your child’s doctor before giving your baby any medicine. That includes over-the-counter ones— some may not be safe for babies. Even though you can buy a medicine at a grocery store or drugstore, that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. T FAMILY-FRIENDLY PEDI A convenient center for health here is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the new loca- tion of Samaritan Healthcare’s Pediatrics department. Thanks to the remodeling, patients can now visit their pediatric healthcare providers under the same roof at the Samaritan Clinic. Because the family medicine depart- ment is on the first floor, pediatrics is now conveniently located on the third floor— allowing families to schedule their ap- pointments in the same building. “Our medical family is ready to serve your family, right here in Moses Lake,” says Theresa Sullivan, CEO of Samaritan Healthcare. “By relocating pediatrics to the Samaritan Clinic building, we’ll have all our family healthcare services needed under one roof. Whether patients require additional tests or x-rays as a result of their office visits, they no longer have to go to another building. It’s one more way we show our dedication to understanding and fulfilling the needs of our region.” Meet the pediatric care team In pediatrics, Elaine Peterson, DO, and Kimberlee Poole, MSN, ARNP, care for children of all ages—from infants to young adults. Because they are both famil- iar with their patients, they work together as a team, which makes it easier for busy families to schedule pediatric appoint- ments with either provider. Dr. Peterson and Poole both know how important it is to get to know their patients and fully understand and relate to their individual concerns. “If we don’t listen, how can we care?” says Dr. Peterson. “When a family comes in, we always start with listening and learning about their lives. We care for the specific issue that led them to bring their child in, but we also encourage them and assist them to be healthier going forward.” Dr. Peterson, Poole, and all their staff are excited to be at home in the newly renovated pediatric space at Samaritan Clinic. “It’s easy access, the way it should be,” says Poole. “We’re happy to make it more convenient for families to see their pro- viders and receive care. Being in the same building with family practice makes the most sense.” Pediatrics at Samaritan Healthcare is here to provide the very best in care for our region’s children—from infants on up. Not every kid is excited to go to the doctor, but we’re excited to see every kid walking through the door. 4 THE SAMARITAN Pediatrics