St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Happy to our extraordinary staff and healthcare professionals! Thank you for your unwavering service. To all healthcare heroes and essential workers who work tirelessly around the clock, thank you for your commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients and communities. 💪

St. Christopher's psychologist, Dr. Anna Cruz, spoke with Nicole Leonard from WHYY on tips for parents to manage kids’ back-to-school anxiety.

Philly psychologists give tips on how to navigate back-to-school kids’ mental health Pediatric psychologists say it’s important to normalize feelings of anxiety and worry that kids and teens may feel about returning to school.

Keeping meals and snacks both healthy and delicious can make a big difference in your child’s mood and energy. 🌟 Check out these 5 tasty and nutritious ideas that will fuel their bodies and minds for a productive day:

1. Greek Yogurt Delight 🥣: Greek yogurt with granola, paired with crunchy peppers, sweet baby tomatoes, juicy grapes, and a mini muffin.

2. Ham and Cheese Bagel 🥯🧀: A mini bagel with ham and cheese, a banana, a cup of Greek yogurt, and crisp sugar snap peas.

3. Peanut Butter Roll-Ups 🥜🍌: Peanut butter and banana tortilla roll-ups, an unsweetened applesauce pouch, and crunchy celery sticks.

4. Cracker Pizza 🍕🥦: Cracker pizzas with broccoli and ranch, plus apple slices for a sweet crunch.

5. Quick Breakfast Tips 🍓: Start the day with a healthy breakfast to jumpstart brain function. Greek yogurt, fruit, or granola are great options. And remember, hydration is key—water is best! 💦

🗣️ Hey, parents! Let's talk backpacks. We all know that kids' backpacks can sometimes look like they're packing for a cross-country road trip, but let’s keep it safe and comfortable to avoid injury. Here are 5 tips to make sure your child's backpack isn’t a backbreaker:

1. Choose the Right Size 📏: Your child's backpack should be no wider than their torso and should hang no more than 4 inches below their waist. If it’s drooping to their knees, it’s time for a size check!

2. Strap In 🎒: Look for padded, adjustable shoulder straps. They’ll help distribute the weight evenly and prevent those "I’ve been carrying this thing all day" shoulder dents.

3. Pack Lightly 📓: Keep the backpack weight under 10% to 20% of your child's body weight.

4. Proper Lift 💪: Teach kids to lift with their legs, not their backs. Avoid bending at the waist!

5. Even Distribution ⚖️: Pack heavier items closer to the back and lighter items towards the front. It’s like balancing a see-saw—only with school supplies!

Happy packing and back-to-school prepping!

New year, new adventures—and new ways to accidentally trip, slip, or flip! 🤾‍♀️🤸‍♀️ Let’s keep the playground and sports field fun (and injury-free). Here are 5 ways to stay safe this school year:

1. Use Equipment Like a Pro ✅: No, the slide isn’t a climbing wall, and the monkey bars aren’t for extreme stunts. Always use playground equipment as intended.

2. Swings Aren’t Catapults ⚠️: As tempting as it is, launching yourself off swings can lead to some serious injuries.

3. Eyes Up, Stay Alert 👀🚨: Watch out for rogue jump ropes, soccer balls, and, well, other kids!

4. No WWE Moves on the Playground 🚫: Play nice. No pushing or shoving.

5. Suit Up 🏈: Sports gear isn't just for style points. Helmets, pads, and shin guards = real MVPs.

As the new school year kicks off, it’s normal for kids to feel a bit anxious. Here are 5 tips to help your child feel more comfortable and confident 📚💪:

1. Spot the Signs 🔍: Watch for signs of anxiety, like dread about school, excessive clinginess in younger kids, or lots of questions from older ones.

2. Familiarize Them with the School 👩‍🏫: If possible, take a tour of the school, join back-to-school events, and meet the teacher to make the environment feel more familiar.

3. Organize Playdates 👦: If the playground is open to the public, set up playdates with other students to help your child build friendships before school starts.

4. Visit the School Beforehand 🏫: Drive or walk by the school with your child to give them a chance to see their new environment before the first day.

5. Validate Their Feelings 💜: Let your child know it’s okay to feel nervous. Remind them they are braver than they think and talk about their feelings after a few days of school.

If anxiety persists, consider talking to a guidance counselor, primary care provider, or behavioral health professional for additional support.

Please join St. Christopher's as we celebrate being honored with a titanium designation through The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s 2024 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. St. Christopher's was one of 118 hospitals statewide that participated in this year’s challenge.

Special thanks to our staff members who hosted fun and educational activities during the Challenge and throughout the year to increase awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Learn more or register to be a donor at https://ow.ly/lanO50SNz4L

Back-to-school excitement can be contagious – but let's keep the germs at bay! 🦠🚫 Before sending your kids off for another busy school year, here are 5 key health tips to ensure they’re ready and protected:

1. Check for Required Vaccines 💉: See if your child is up to date on vaccines, especially before kindergarten, 7th, and 12th grades. Many schools require proof of immunizations!

2. Schedule an Annual Wellness Exam 🩺: Even if it's not required, a yearly physical ensures your child is growing, developing, and staying healthy.

3. Keep Their Hands Clean 🧼: Remind your kids to wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.

4. Don’t Forget Preventative Vaccines ❗: Protect your child from severe illness with vaccinations for flu and COVID-19.

5. Stay Home if Sick 🤒: If your child is feeling unwell, let them rest at home to prevent the spread of illness and keep everyone healthy!

🚌 As the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round, let's make sure our kids stay safe and sound. Here are five important school bus safety reminders every parent and child should know:

1. Walk Safely 🚶: Walk your child to the bus stop and wait together at least 6 feet (or 3 giant steps) away from the curb until the bus arrives.

2. Wait for the Signal 🛑: Always wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and ensure all traffic has stopped before getting on or off.

3. Cross Safely 🚸: If your child needs to cross the street, they should take 5 giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the driver, and cross only when signaled it's safe.

4. Stay Seated 💺: Remind your child to stay seated while the bus is moving, keeping their head, arms, and hands inside the bus at all times.

5. Be Seen 👀: If your child drops something near the bus, they should tell the driver and make sure they are seen before picking it up.

St. Christopher's pediatrician Dr. Daniel R. Taylor co-authored an article in the The Philadelphia Inquirer with Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens on asthma tips, parent/caretaker resources, and a back-to-school asthma checklist as children prepare to return to school.

Asthma season is approaching. Follow these tips for better breathing | Expert Opinion Make sure your child has up-to-date medications and medical forms before the school year starts.

School is right around the corner! Having a solid sleep routine can help your child feel more prepared, more confident, and have a strong start to the new year. 🌙📚

Here are some top tips for a smooth transition to a back-to-school sleep routine:

1. Ease into it 🕙: Start moving bedtime earlier by 10-15 minutes each night until it aligns with the school schedule. This gradual shift helps the body adjust naturally.

2. Stay Consistent 😴: Establish a calming bedtime routine with activities like reading or listening to soft music. Try to keep the weekend sleep schedule as close to the weekday routine as possible to avoid disrupting the sleep cycle. Consistency is key!

3. Limit Screen Time 📴: Reduce screen exposure at least an hour before bedtime. Blue light from screens can interfere with sleep.

4. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment 🛏️: Make sure your child’s bedroom is comfortable, dark, and quiet to promote better sleep.

5. Get Some Morning Sun ☀️: When time and weather permit, encourage spending time outside in the morning to help regulate their internal clock and set the tone for the day.

Kids love to play outdoors. Unfortunately, a bee sting or bug bite can interrupt a fun day of play. Bee stings (along with hornet and wasp stings) are painful and upsetting. In some cases, when a child is allergic or there are multiple stings, it may require a call to your child's pediatrician or a visit to the Emergency Department.

See our tips for what to do if a bee stings your child.

The bad weather didn't keep the crowds away for St. Christopher's 14th Annual Back to School Carnival. Special thanks to everyone in our community who joined us today, along with our sponsors, community partners, staff, and volunteers who made today extra special for so many families!

St. Christopher's 14th Annual Carnival on August 9th has been moved to our parking lot.

Due to forecasted rain this Friday, the Carnival has been moved to our parking lot next to the Center for the Urban Child (CUC) Building. Tents will be set up for a variety of activities, including arts and crafts and face painting, along with family resource tables featuring our community partners. There will also be backpack giveaways, food trucks, and a gaming truck.

ALL are welcome to attend.

Sports, outdoor play, and weather all pose unique hazards to kids in the summer. For great Safety & Prevention resources for parents and caretakers, visit https://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/pages/default.aspx.

If your child requires emergency care for an injury, our Emergency Department and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center are dedicated exclusively to kids. Our board-certified pediatric trauma surgeons, critical care providers, and emergency medicine providers are uniquely qualified to offer comprehensive, life-saving pediatric care 24/7.

The Health Partners Plans Summer Bash at St. Christopher's Pediatric Associates - Northeast Pediatrics office on August 7 has been canceled due to forecasted rain.

We will announce the date for the rescheduled event soon.

Celebrate National Minority Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM) this August!

The observance stems from National Minority Donor Awareness Week, founded in 1996 by the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program. The intent was to bring heightened awareness to donation and transplantation in multicultural communities with a primary focus on African American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American communities.

NMDAM is a collaborative action of the National Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group that aims to create a positive culture for organ, eye, and tissue donation to save and improve the quality of life of diverse communities.

Visit https://nmag1.org/ to learn more.

Visit https://registerme.org/ to register to become a donor.

Yesterday, St. Christopher's celebrated with Life Pennsylvania.

One organ and tissue donor has the ability to save up to EIGHT lives. With more than 6,500 Pennsylvanians currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, imagine the difference we could make if we all registered.🥰

There is still time to register to be a donor at https://ow.ly/lanO50SNz4L

How has organ and tissue donation affected you or someone you know? Share your story with us!

Throughout the Summer, our Emergency Room and Specialty Care Experts will offer tips for parents and caretakers on common kids' injuries.

Burns, whether from a sunburn, BBQ grille, or fireworks, are a top childhood summer injury. Fortunately, St. Christopher’s Hospital has the only Pediatric Burn Center in the region. Our team includes plastic surgeons, pediatric surgeons, pediatricians, nurses, social workers, a trauma team, and other professionals.

For additional information on treating minor burns, visit the American Burn Association's website -https://ameriburn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/first-aid-fact-sheet.pdf

The Health Partners Plans Summer Bash at St. Christopher's Pediatric Associates - Northeast Pediatrics office has been rescheduled to August 7 due to rain.

This Community Health Fair is Open to All!

Special Thanks to Bob Kelly FOX 29 of Kelly's Kidz, for collecting toys tomorrow at the Seaport Pier in Wildwood for our Christmas in July Toy Drive. The Toy Drive will help to restock the shelves in our Child Life Department for the rest of the year!

Toys are used for therapy and play, helping patients cope with the hospital experience and supporting their development. We are critically low on items such as LEGO® Toys, Baby Dolls, Play-Doh, and Arts and Crafts Kits.

Donate online at https://tinyurl.com/3a7dertj, or choose from our Amazon Wishlist at https://tinyurl.com/5n8nns2p.

What an exciting day for our St. Chris community!

Today, we were honored to have Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Philadelphia City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada visit us for a bill-signing ceremony. One of the pieces of legislation will greatly benefit St. Christopher’s and the children and families served by the hospital.

The Philadelphia Hospital Assessment Bill will bring in funds through federal matching programs, increasing funding for St. Christopher’s and other area hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. This boost will help us improve our facilities, hire more staff, and grow our programs.

We are so grateful for Mayor Parker’s and Councilmember Lozada’s continued commitment to expanding access to healthcare for all Philadelphians!

📸: Bridget Horgan Bell Photography

Today, we celebrated the official opening of our new St. Christopher's Pediatric Associates—Northeast Pediatrics location. The office is located at 9815 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite N, Philadelphia, Phone 215-969-4917. The larger offices enable us to grow and continue providing the very best of primary care with expertise, passion, and heart. The office is led by Alanna M. Kramer, MD.

The building features stunning murals created by Mural Arts Philadelphia lead artist Eric Okdeh. Special thanks to Eric, Chad Eric Smith, Senior Director of Communications and Brand Management for Mural Arts Philadelphia, and our special guest, Senator Jimmy Dillon, State Senator for the 5th District of Pennsylvania.

Join Us for the Health Partners Plans Summer Bash at St. Christopher's Pediatric Associates - Northeast Pediatrics office on Wednesday, July 31st.

This Community Health Fair is Open to All!

Support St. Christopher‘s Christmas in July Toy Drive as we restock the shelves in our Child Life Department for the rest of the year!

Toys are used for therapy and play, helping patients cope with the hospital experience and supporting their development. We are critically low on items such as LEGO® Toys, Baby Dolls, Play-Doh, and Arts and Crafts Kits.

Donate online at https://tinyurl.com/3a7dertj, or choose from our Amazon Wishlist at https://tinyurl.com/5n8nns2p.

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is committed to delivering high-quality family & patient-cen

Cast your Vote Today for Dr. Daniel Taylor at https://tinyurl.com/2ep3emwh

Voting is now open for the 2024 “Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge,” presented by Independence Blue Cross. St. Christopher’s own Dan Taylor, DO, is one of this year’s finalists.

YOUR VOTE will narrow the group of 10 finalists down to three, and the ultimate winner will receive a donation of up to $15,000 for their charity of choice. Dr. Taylor has selected St. Christopher's Reach Out and Read program, which has provided patients with thousands of free books for many years.

Happy 4th of July! As you enjoy the festivities, please remember to stay safe and healthy. Wishing everyone a joyful Independence Day!

Did you know more than 70% of firework injuries occur around the Fourth of July? This holiday, keep your celebrations injury-free by opting for some fun and safe alternatives for the whole family:

✨ Glow sticks
🎉 Confetti poppers
🔵 Bubble wands
📣 Noise makers
📽️ Outdoor projector lights
🔅 Drone light show

Fireworks, especially firecrackers, sparklers, and rockets, cause most injuries. In 2023, an estimated 9,700 people were injured in incidents involving fireworks with hands, fingers, head, legs, and eyes being the most frequently injured body parts. Severe injuries can include third-degree burns, scarring, hearing and vision loss, amputations, and internal organ damage.

So, this week, and all summer long, let's keep the fireworks shows to the professionals, and enjoy from a safe distance! 🎆

Check out more firework safety tips: https://bit.ly/4ctqJOq

The Apple Pharmacy at St. Christopher's is extending its operating hours. Our new hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

The pharmacy is located on the first floor of the hospital.

This change is part of our ongoing commitment to provide convenient and accessible pharmacy services to the families we serve.

Special thanks to the family and friends of Danny Hill for the generous donation of hundreds of items to our oncology food pantry. We are grateful for your continued support and friendship.