Children's Medical Center

HAVE YOU HEARD? WE HAVE EXTENDED OFFICE HOURS!

If your children are like most children, evening, weekends and holidays are when they get sick.

Children's Medical Center is thrilled to announce that we have expanded our office hours to Monday-Thursday from 5pm-7pm for emergency sick visits, by appointment only.

One or more offices will remain open to assist with any needs your family may have during these hours.


PALM HARBOR, TRINITY AND WESTCHASE
Mondays - Open Until 7pm

PALM HARBOR AND TRINITY
Tuesdays - Open Until 7pm

PALM HARBOR AND TRINITY
Wednesdays - Open Until 7pm

WESTCHASE
Thursdays - Open Until 7pm

AFTER HOURS/URGENT CARE SICK VISITS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

*PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY INCURE ADDITIONAL FEES FOR AN AFTER-HOUR VISIT

813-751-3131 Lutz
727-787-6335 Palm Harbor
727-376-8404 Trinity
813-891-6501 Westchase

Help your child fight fall allergies 👊🏼 Common allergens like mold and ragweed peak during this time of year, causing sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. Here are some tips to ease allergy symptoms:

🪟 Keep windows closed: Prevents outdoor allergens like pollen and mold from entering your home.

💨 Use air purifiers: Air purifiers with HEPA filters help remove indoor allergens like dust and pollen.

🧸 Regularly clean bedding and toys: Wash bedding and toys often to remove dust and allergens that can build up over time.

🛁 Give your child a quick bath after outdoor play: A bath will help wash off pollen and other allergens that may stick to skin and hair after outdoor activities.

Stay ahead of allergy season and keep your little ones feeling their best. Save this post for handy tips and share with fellow parents!

Keep your child healthy this fall with a flu shot! 🍂

💉 Why Flu Shots Matter: Flu shots help protect kids from the flu, reducing the risk of severe illness and complications.

🗓️ Timing: It’s best to get the flu shot before flu season starts, ideally by the end of October.

🤒 Side Effects: Most kids experience mild side effects, like a sore arm or low-grade fever. Serious side effects are rare.

Stay proactive and keep your little ones safe this season. Save this post for reference and share with other parents!

Back to school means back to germs! We’re starting with the basics - here are a few hand washing tips you can practice to help keep your kids feeling good!

🧼 Use soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

🧽 Scrub all surfaces of your hands, including between your fingers and under your nails.

💨 Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.

Teach your kids the power of proper handwashing to keep those pesky germs at bay and stay healthy all year long. 🧼🚿

Happy Labor Day! Below are the office hours for today. If you have any questions, while the office is closed, please call (727)787-6335 and our on-call service will be able to assist you.

Rivalry in the Palm Harbor office today! Miami Hurricanes or Gators? Dr. Alvarez thinks Miami is winning! Dr. Weber and Dr. Ashley Klein say Gators are and had a few surprises for him!

Pack these nutritious snacks to keep your child fueled throughout the school day:

🥕 Veggie Sticks with Hummus: A tasty and healthy option.

🍎 Fruit and Nut Mix: Provides energy and essential nutrients.

🧀 Cheese and Whole Grain Crackers: A balanced snack with protein and fiber.

Save this post for snack ideas and share with other parents!

A good night’s sleep is crucial for a child’s growth and development. 💤 Here’s why sleep is so important and how you can help your child get the rest they need:

🛏️ Sleep Schedule: Establishing a consistent bedtime routine helps regulate their internal clock. Aim for the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, even on weekends.

🌟 Benefits of Good Sleep: Adequate sleep improves concentration, boosts mood, supports physical growth, and strengthens the immune system.

🛌 Creating a Sleep-Friendly Environment: Ensure their bedroom is cool, quiet, and dark. Use blackout curtains and consider a white noise machine if needed. A comfortable mattress and pillows also make a big difference.

🚫 Common Sleep Disruptors: Limit screen time before bed, avoid caffeine, and create a relaxing pre-sleep routine like reading or taking a warm bath.

Save these tips to help establish a healthy sleep routine and share with other parents! What bedtime routines work for your kids? Let us know in the comments!

Have you heard that we have a new doctor in our Palm Harbor office?! Drop a comment ⬇️ to help welcome Dr. Ashley Klein. Call today to schedule an appointment to meet her.

School lunches can be both nutritious and delicious! 🥗 Try these healthy lunch ideas:

🌯 Veggie Wraps: Packed with vitamins, fiber, and deliciousness. Perfect for keeping kids energized throughout the day.

🍓 Fruit Salad: A colorful mix of fruits that provides essential vitamins and hydration.

What are your favorite healthy lunch recipes? Save this post for lunch ideas and share your favorites in the comments!

Wishing all of our patients who are going back to school today a wonderful first day back!!!

Back-to-school anxiety is common for many children. Help your child manage their anxiety with these tips:

⏰ Establish a Routine: Consistency helps reduce anxiety.

🗣️ Talk About Their Day: Open communication can ease their worries.

💤 Encourage Healthy Sleep: A well-rested child is better equipped to handle stress.

🆘 Seek Professional Help: If anxiety persists, don’t hesitate to consult a professional.

Save these tips and share to support other parents!

Snack time can be both fun and nutritious! Sometimes the healthiest snacks are even the easiest, leaving your kids bellies full and full of nutrients to help their minds and bodies get through these hot summer days.

Here are some fun ideas for you and your kiddos!

🍓 Fruit Kabobs: These are bursting with vitamins and minerals! They’re also colorful, fun to make, and delicious.

🍉 Homemade Popsicles: These are always a winner! Made from real fruit juice, these are hydrating and free from artificial sugars (plus fun to make!).

What are your kids’ favorite summer snacks? Save this post for healthy snack ideas and share your favorites in the comments!

Heatstroke can be very dangerous, but it’s preventable! Know the signs and take action quickly if you notice any of these signs with your little ones:

Signs of Heatstroke:

🌡️ High Body Temperature: A core body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher.

😓 Heavy Sweating or No Sweating: In some cases, kids may stop sweating even though it’s hot.

🥵 Hot, Red, Dry, or Damp Skin: The skin may feel hot to the touch and appear red.

🏃‍♂️ Rapid Pulse: A strong and rapid pulse is a common sign.

😵 Confusion or Agitation: Kids may seem confused, dizzy, or act agitated.

💤 Severe Headache: Complaints of a pounding headache.

🤢 Nausea or Vomiting: Feeling sick or vomiting is a sign of heatstroke.

😴 Fatigue or Weakness: Extreme tiredness or muscle weakness.

🧬 Seizures: In severe cases, a child may have seizures.

💔 Unconsciousness: If a child loses consciousness, seek emergency help immediately.

Recognize these signs early and take immediate action by moving to a cooler place, hydrating, and seeking medical attention. Share this important information to help keep our kids safe this summer!

We apologize for the inconvenience we continue to experience an issue with our phone lines in our Palm Harbor office. Our IT department is working as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. In the meantime, if you need to contact the office regarding an urgent matter you can reach out to one of our other locations for assistance.

Lutz 813-751-3131
Trinity 727-376-8404
Westchase 813-891-6501

Are you and your family heading to the beach? 🌊 Here are a few tips in the slides above and some additional in caption to keep you safe:

👶 Supervise Children Closely: Always keep an eye on your kids, especially near the water. Even shallow water can be dangerous.

🏖️ Swim Near Lifeguards: Lifeguard-supervised areas are the safest places to swim. Teach kids to always swim where lifeguards are present.

🏊 Know the Water Conditions: Check for signs or flags indicating strong currents or hazardous conditions. Teach kids about the dangers of rip currents and how to escape them.

🌞 Sun Protection: Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen every two hours, and wear hats and sunglasses to protect from harmful UV rays.

🚫 Avoid Swimming Near Structures: Piers and rocks can be dangerous due to strong currents and hidden hazards.

🌊 Stay Hydrated: The sun and sea can be dehydrating. Ensure everyone drinks plenty of water throughout the day.

Save these tips for your next beach trip and share to keep other families informed! What are your top beach safety tips? Let us know in the comments!

Update: Thank you for your patience, phones are now working in our Palm Harbor office.
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We apologize for the inconvenience but we are experiencing an issue with our phone lines in our Palm Harbor office. We are working with our IT department to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, if you need to contact the office regarding an urgent matter you can reach out to one of our other locations for assistance.

Lutz 813-751-3131
Trinity 727-376-8404
Westchase 813-891-6501

It’s HOT out there! Spotting dehydration early can prevent serious health issues. Here are key symptoms to watch for:

😛 Dry Mouth and Tongue: Lack of moisture is a red flag.

😢 Few or No Tears When Crying: Indicates severe dehydration.

😵 Feeling Dizzy or Lightheaded: Can lead to fainting or heatstroke.

🚽 Urine Less Frequent and Darker in Color: Signs of the body conserving water.

Stay vigilant and keep those water bottles filled! Share this post to help other parents.

Summer is the perfect time for swimming, but safety comes first! 🏊‍♂️ Here are crucial tips to prevent drowning and ensure a safe experience for your kids:

👀 Constant Supervision: Always watch your children when they’re in or near water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.

🏊‍♂️ Learn to Swim: Enroll your kids in swimming lessons to build their confidence and skills in the water.

🌊 Use Life Jackets: Equip your children with properly fitting life jackets, especially if they are not strong swimmers.

🚫 Avoid Distractions: Put down your phone and stay focused on your children while they’re swimming.

🚪 Secure Pool Areas: Install fences with self-closing, self-latching gates around your home pool to prevent unsupervised access.

⛑️ Learn CPR: Knowing CPR can make a critical difference in an emergency situation. Consider taking a class to be prepared.

Keep these tips in mind and share them to help other parents keep their kids safe this summer! What are your go-to water safety practices? Share in the comments!

Keep your child’s mind active with our summer reading list! 📚 Reading helps maintain literacy skills and ignites a love for learning. Here are some top picks:

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle: 🐛 A timeless classic that teaches counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a caterpillar in a fun, colorful way.

“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White: 🕸️ A heartwarming tale of friendship and loyalty between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte.

“Magic Tree House Series” by Mary Pope Osborne: 🌳 Follow Jack and Annie on their magical time-traveling adventures, exploring different places and times in history.

“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: 👹 An imaginative story of a young boy named Max who sails to the land of the Wild Things and becomes their king.

“Junie B. Jones Series” by Barbara Park: 🎒 Hilarious and relatable tales of the spirited kindergartener, Junie B. Jones, as she navigates school and life.

Save this list for your next library trip! What are your favorite children’s books? Share in the comments.

Special day!!!!!!

One of the best things about being a Pediatrician is that we get to know you over SO many years!!! We become family! Goodbyes are hard but every single one of us loves to see what our patients next adventure will be!!!!

From a wonderful patient:

Thank you Dr Razman for my first and last exam at Children’s Medical Center!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Update: Our IT department has confirmed that there is a national outage with Spectrum that is effecting our phones. Unfortunately this has to do with a huge issue in one of their Texas data centers due to hurricane Beryl and it’s causing a downstream of issues in many areas. Please continue to be patient with us as we continue working through getting the issue resolved. Due to the outage we will not have evening hours in our Palm Harbor office tonight. Again if you need assistance please contact the office and our answering service will be able to assist you.
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We apologize for the inconvenience but we are experiencing an issue with our phone lines in all locations. Currently all phone lines are down and we are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, if you need to contact the office regarding an urgent matter you will be transferred to our On-CALL Service for assistance.

Below are the office hours for the 4th of July holiday. If you have any questions, while the office is closed, please call (727)787-6335 and our on-call service will be able to assist you.

Today is the day! Come hang with your favorite Lutz and Trinity docs and support this great cause!!!!

Team Memorial Day had a great day in Palm Harbor today!!!! Don’t forget that Children's Medical Center is open weekends, holidays and Monday and Tuesday evenings to keep your family healthy!!!! We will have July 4th and Labor Day hours this summer!!!

Below are the office hours for the Memorial Day holiday. If you have any questions, while the office is closed, please call (727)787-6335 and our on-call service will be able to assist you.

Nosebleeds are a common occurrence in childhood. Check out this blog to learn about why they happen and when you should be concerned. https://bit.ly/4alzAjK

Some children are naturally drawn to sports and physical activity. Others, however, need a little encouragement. If your child is the latter type, here are five incredibly easy ways to get them excited about exercising and being active. https://bit.ly/3MoADGq

COME JOIN US! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃‍♂️This year CMC is sponsoring the Rap River Run. Dr. Riemer and Dr. Bradley will be participating in the 5k. Join our team and feel free to pressure more of our doctors, nurses, and staff to participate during your next office visit! 😊

This run/walk benefits YFA’s RAP House located in New Port Richey serving youths ages 10-17 who are runaway, homeless or in need of a short- term out of home respite placement for any reason. The RAP House also accepts youth who are in need of an emergency shelter placement due to abuse.