Tennessee Valley Pediatrics

Several of us were at the beach last week and the rip currents were very strong. As you finish your summer beach trips, be sure your children know how to get out of one safely!

Don't panic. They will not pull you under.
Don't swim against the current.
**Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current.
If you get tired, tread water and yell for help.

*Graphic by Nikki, DNP!

All TVP clinics will be closed on July 4th! Be safe and enjoy celebrating America.

It's that time of year! While our pediatricians would always recommend enjoying firework shows put on by professionals in our community and NOT shooting fireworks yourself, we know in reality it's going to happen. Brittney O put together some tips on firework safety!

We know a lot of you will be traveling around the 4th. Dylan has given us some good tips! The link includes some fun car games to keep kids entertained on those long rides! If flying, be sure to take all medications and essentials in your carryon bag for access and in case your luggage doesn't make it! Be safe and have a great time!

https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/8-fun-car-game-ideas/

It's the time of year for lots of sun and water time! Camryn, RN at TVP made this easy guide to sun safety for you! ☀️

Watch your kids while they swim. Many kids will drown right in front of their parents, because drowning doesn’t look like what you think it does.

Do YOU know what it looks like?

It’s not what you see on TV. TV dramatizes it to keep you in suspense and make you keep watching.

This is what drowning REALLY looks like:

1) It’s SILENT. No splashes. No screams. They are trying to breathe and can’t make noises.

2) It’s FAST! It takes 20-60 seconds.

3) There is no jumping out of the water or arms flailing around. It happens almost entirely under water.

4) Their head will be arched up, attempting to reach the surface to breathe. They may bob up and down just at the surface for a little while and this can look like doggy paddling/playing.

5) Under the water, they are in a vertical, up and down position and their arms and legs are cycling as if they are trying to climb a ladder.

6) They can’t move forward much, if at all….not enough to get to safety.

7) They can be right next to the wall or an exit and still not be able to reach it…and they will drown inches away from safety.

8 ) They can be in water shallow enough for them to stand in but not realize they can simply stand up, as they are in panic mode.

Learn to spot drowning. You just might save a little life!!

All TVP locations are closed today in honor of those who have died for our freedom.🇺🇸

We will be closed Sunday, May 12, so our staff can spend Mother's Day with their families. As always, a provider will be available at 256-381-9350 if you have a need that can't wait until Monday.

Happy Mother's Day to those who do the job of mothering whether you gave birth to that child or not. We also see you if you want to be a mother and it hasn't happened or if you are grieving a mom or child today. Our prayers are with you!

Let your preteens and teenagers know that we are on Instagram specifically for them to follow! We hope this will be a fun tool that will help them better learn how to manage their own health as they mature. We know growing up is hard. Our adolescent team is passionate about helping your teens thrive when it comes to their health.

Today we celebrated our nursing and back staff!! They are the ones running, swabbing, sticking, weighing, doing X-rays and so much more. They go above and beyond and treat your children like their own. We are so blessed that each one has chosen to be part of the TVP family! They rock!!!

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce that Dr. Gia will be moving to South Carolina this summer and will be leaving Tennessee Valley Pediatrics. Her husband’s job has changed and this will allow their family to be together instead of being separated for months out of the year. Family always comes first but we will miss her so much. No day is dull with Dr. Gia! Her last day will be May 31. She will especially miss her Russellville patients and the community she has grown to love. TVP and our Russellville staff will continue to serve our patients and their families as we have for the past 5 years!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to these amazing women (and a few who were off today!)! We could not do it without them! They work hard every day to be sure your children have what they need. We are so thankful for them!

TVP was honored to be a Gold Sponsor at this amazing event and dedicate our tables to breast cancer survivors! And while we will always support all aspects of Helen Keller Hospital, we are especially excited that this will benefit our children and families!

Update: Phones are up and running!!! Thank you for your patience this morning!

Our phone lines are down this morning. They are working on them now. If you have a sick child, you may come on to the nearest office if you cannot get through. You can also call our after hours number at 256-381-9350.

For any non-urgent information, phones should be up and working in just a little while. Please try back soon. We are sorry for any inconvenience!

TVP will closed on Sunday, March 31, so our staff can spend Easter with their families. Enjoy Easter baskets and colored eggs but the real miracle is that Jesus is alive!

We love our doctors at TVP! We are so thankful for the wisdom and collaboration they provide to us and the care they give our children and adolescents! Your family is in the best hands! Please help us thank them for all of their hard work and the sacrifices they make to care for others!

Today is World Social Work Day and March is a whole month dedicated to these amazing professionals! Here's a huge shout out and thank you to Michelle, Katie F, Tanesha and Maddie at TVP!! They help our families and children in so many ways from linking you with resources, providing therapy for our families and children, and helping promote positive change for children in our community! Michelle, Katie and Maddie work through our Behavioral Health Center. Tanesha works in all of our clinics. They help us provide care for your families beyond what we could do as medical professionals alone.

We also thank all the social workers in the community! We see you. We know your jobs are hard. We are very appreciative of all you do!

Today is World Obesity Day! Did you know that Childhood obesity is expected to increase by 60% over the next decade, reaching 250 million by 2030? Did you also know that the root cause of obesity is biologic? Obesity is a complex condition that affects many facets of your family and your children. Our Healthy Futures Clinic is here to educate and empower you and your child to start moving towards a healthy future today. There is a lot of misinformation and stigma out there, check out these facts sheets and more at www.worldobesityday.org