Wellstar Pediatric Emergency Departments

The new school year comes with a lot of change for children — a different classroom, teacher, peers and learning material. That change can cause anxiety in some children, especially if they struggle at school and are dreading the return. 

You can help your child start the school year with confidence by discussing any anxiety they may feel and talking through what they can expect.

“We have to make sure that kids are ready and comfortable,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Hebah Pranckun. “We should validate their feelings and let them know being nervous and anxious about school is normal.”

• Encourage conversations. Talk with children about the upcoming school year and some changes they can expect so they feel a bit more prepared. Role play any situations they’re nervous about and brainstorm possible solutions.
• Visit the school. If children are new to a school, especially if they are younger, arrange a time to visit the school and see the classroom.
• Plan ahead. After the first few days of school, check in with your child about how the year is going so far. Then, look ahead at what the rest of the year could be like.

Start the year strong with a wellness screening

One way to begin the school year with confidence is to have a healthy start and book a  preventative care check-up. While wellness screenings are important for helping children grow up healthy, going to the doctor can be a stressful or scary experience for some children. 

“I try to do whatever I can to make life better, whether it's treating their acute illness or helping them work through the troubles that they're having, so that when they leave my office, I've given them something to hold onto that is going to make life better for them,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Doyle.

Wellstar’s pediatricians will get to know the whole family and ease your child’s fears about their check-up.

“You have to get down on their level, whether that means squatting on the floor or sitting next to them on the table. Let them know that you're not a threat and this should be their comfort zone,” Dr. Pranckun said. “All the attention goes to them, whether it's a high-five or asking what their favorite sport is.”

Find a pediatrician near you and book your child’s back to school check-up so they start the year healthy.

As you prepare for the new school year, give your child a positive start by completing your own homework assignment — checking in on their health.

Before heading back to school, prioritize your child’s physical and emotional well-being with a visit to your family’s Wellstar pediatrician. Our compassionate pediatricians share your goal of keeping children healthy as they grow.

“In pediatrics, it’s always a relationship with the entire family, and it’s working in partnership with the parents,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Doyle. “We’re here to help them take care of their children.”

Preventative check-ups and screenings help children stay ahead of health issues, and our pediatricians will ensure your child is up-to-date on their vaccines and discuss which immunizations are needed to prevent disease.

“Our job is to make sure our children are growing up healthy and poised to be successful in life, and the best way to do that is to set them up well from the beginning,” Dr. Doyle said.

Your family’s pediatrician also can help you navigate health requirements at your child’s school.

“Parents need to complete a lot of forms for their child to attend school, and they don't know how to navigate the process. That's when you reach out to your pediatrician,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Hebah Pranckun. “We are knowledgeable about what forms schools require, and we make sure the kids are up-to-date on their vaccines so they're protected against all the illnesses they can be.” 

Heading back to school healthy

Teach your child healthy habits so they can feel their best throughout the school year.

• Practice good hygiene. Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Don’t send your children to school if they’re sick. If they’re exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread.
• Get moving. Children should have about 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. “Sometimes that's as simple as going outside to play or going for a walk and, especially for older kids, staying off screens and getting up to move,” Dr. Doyle said.
• Eat healthy. Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting sugary drinks.
• Get plenty of sleep. Children aged 3 to 5 should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teenagers need about eight to 10 hours. “Children need more sleep than adults do, and unfortunately, just like adults, children are chronically sleep deprived,” Dr. Doyle said.

While the end of summer is often a busy time, planning ahead now will help ensure the whole family has a healthy, successful year.

Find a Wellstar pediatrician near you and book your child’s wellness exam today.

This summer, in addition to staying safe in hot weather, you can work to prevent driving-related injuries or deaths as you and your family travel for vacation or holidays. Driving sober and wearing a seatbelt can significantly reduce your chances of traumatic injury or injuring or killing someone else.

Wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of serious injury and death by 50%, and nearly one in three traffic deaths in the U.S. involves a driver under the influence. Also, if you’re spending some time swimming this summer, there are a few safety precautions you can take to reduce the risk of drowning or injury.

Swim in designated areas with lifeguards, and never swim alone. If you are supervising children, keep a close eye on them, even if they have already learned to swim. Don’t leave children unattended near water, and make sure children and inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death and disability among ages 0-45 is traumatic injury. When someone experiences a traumatic injury, getting timely, expert care is crucial. With Georgia's largest trauma network, Wellstar has expertise and experience in providing emergency and trauma care when it matters most.

• Wellstar Paulding Medical Center and Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center are Level IV Trauma Centers.
• Wellstar Cobb Medical Center is a Level III Trauma Center.
• Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center have both earned the Level II Trauma Center designation.
• Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center is a Level I Trauma Center — the designation signaling the highest level of care.

Wellstar’s trauma centers are part of a statewide team that collaborates closely to provide expert care.

“With the largest trauma network in Georgia, Wellstar is a leader in trauma care. This means patients get the right level of care during the critical hour following injury," said Dr. Katherine Kohler, trauma medical director at Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center.

In addition to an extensive trauma network, Wellstar is also home to the largest emergency department in the Southeast and the second largest in the country at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. To serve younger patients, specialized pediatric emergency departments are located at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center, Wellstar Douglas Medical Center, Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar Paulding Medical Center.

To learn more about emergency and trauma services at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/emergencycare.