Samaritan Healthcare | The Samaritan | Fall 2017

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Elaine Peterson, DO, is a pediatrician at Samaritan
Healthcare in Moses Lake. She loves her work,
as well as the easy access to the adventures just
outside her door. It’s the best of both worlds.
“I love the smaller community and lack of traffic,” says
Dr. Peterson. “I especially enjoy how close I am to so
many beautiful hiking areas.The views at Steamboat Rock
are absolutely amazing! When I can provide children’s
health care and enjoy plenty of recreation, I’ve found every-
thing I was looking for at Moses Lake.”
She also loves the sun—and at Moses Lake you’ll bask
in over 300 days of sunshine a year.
When you live and work in Moses Lake, exploring the
“basecamp to adventure” is a great bonus.
Off to school
we go—safely
It’s that time of year
again. As you and your
child prepare for that ex-
citing first day of school,
don’t forget to put safe
transportation on your
planning list. Whether by
bus or by foot, getting to
and from school safely
should be a priority.
Brush up on these
safety tips from the
American Academy of
Pediatrics and other
experts.
On the bus
Riding the bus is the
safest way to get to
school. However, it’s not
without risks. Getting
on and off the bus is the
most dangerous part of
taking a bus to school.
Teach your child to:
■ ■ Wait until the bus has
stopped completely and
has the door open and
the safety lights on be-
fore approaching it.
■ ■ Be wary of the dan-
ger zone around a bus:
10 feet in front, behind
and on each side of it. It’s
safest to walk in front of
the bus and where the
driver can see you at all
times.
■ ■ Look both ways be-
fore crossing the street
(traffic doesn’t always
stop as required for a
school bus).
On a bike
Knowing the rules of the
road is key to keeping
your young cyclist safe.
Insist that your child:
■ ■ Wear a helmet every
time he or she bikes, no
matter how short the
distance.
School days ahead!
Schedule a checkup before the first bell rings
There may be a lot of things on
your must-do list to get your
child ready for school, but one
item near the top should be a
trip to the doctor’s office. It’s
a great way to make sure your
child is healthy and ready for
another year of learning.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics and other experts rec-
ommend annual doctor visits for
all school-age children and teens.
These appointments are impor-
tant for a number of reasons:
Vaccinations.
The doctor can make sure your
child is protected against a
host of serious diseases, includ-
ing measles, mumps, rubella,
chickenpox, meningitis, tetanus,
diphtheria, whooping cough
and cervical cancer. It’s impor-
tant for children of all ages to
get their vaccinations at the
recommended times.
Milestones and signs.
Regular exams help the doc-
tor become familiar with
your child’s development
and growth. That can make it
easier to spot emerging health
problems.
Guidance.
As your child gets older, routine
checkups provide time for your
doctor to discuss important
health issues, such as smoking,
drinking, drugs, nutrition, sexual
activity and depression.
Finally, don’t forget about
dental health too. Tooth decay
is the most common chronic
disease among kids, reports the
American Dental Association.
A dental exam should be part
of your child’s back-to-school
routine.
Does your child need a
doctor? Ours are accepting
new patients. Call
766-9450 to make
an appointment.
Moses Lake:
Basecamp
to adventure
Just ask Elaine Peterson, DO! Hikers at
Steamboat
Rock State Park
are rewarded with
amazing views!
Photos by
Lucid Concepts
Photography
When Elaine Peterson, DO, isn’t scaling heights in
the great outdoors, she loves keeping kids healthy
and watching them grow.
To schedule an appointment for your child with Dr. Peterson,
call 766-9450 . To learn more about hiking Steamboat
Rock, visit
Children’s health
6 THE SAMARITAN