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Keeping Kids Safe from Ticks in Connecticut: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents By Andrew Carlson, MD: This article was last updated in April 2025 for accuracy. Getting kids outdoors is one of the best things you can do for their health. But time outside comes with risks—including ticks, which are more active than ever and spreading across Connecticut in new ways. Ticks can carry
What to Expect in Pictures For many children and families, going to the hospital can be a stressful experience. To make your experience as pleasant and relaxed as possible, we’ve created special picture stories to teach your child what to expect. To access the picture stories, just click on the links below
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Advancing Equity: Black Maternal Health Week and the Drive for Change By Sarah Gedeon, LMSW: Black Maternal Health Week is observed annually from April 11th to 17th, highlighting significant disparities in maternal health outcomes among Black women in the United States. Established by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), this initiative aims to address systemic
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Essential Water Safety Guide for Parents: What You Need to Know As the weather warms up and families flock to pools, beaches, and lakes to beat the heat, it's crucial for parents to be vigilant about water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children aged 1-4 years old, and it ranks as the third leading cause
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Level Up Your Video Game Knowledge: An Interview with a Child Life Gaming & Technology Specialist By Annie Goldsnider: The world of video gaming offers so much! Did you know Connecticut Children’s Child Life team works with families during hospital stays to encourage therapeutic video game play? That’s because, with the support of Child’s Play Charity, we have a Gaming & Technology Specialist
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The Best Way to Prevent Youth Suicide? Talk About It By Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS: This article was originally published in September 2020 and last updated in December 2023. Youth suicide has been on the rise for the past decade, so prevention is more important than ever. Dr. Steven Rogers, medical director of Emergency Behavioral Health services at Connecticut
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The Layers of Optimal Health, Development and Well-being When it comes to promoting the optimal health, development and well-being of children, there are many layers to consider that go beyond the parameters of traditional medical care. Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health embraces an approach that takes into
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Kids in the Kitchen: Essential Cooking Skills for the Whole Family By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: Cooking can be an important part of eating healthy and finding variety in your meals, so it’s a good idea to get your child involved in the kitchen at an early age. But cooking skills aren’t just about how you mix ingredients. They also include how set up your kitchen – and any
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Bridging Healthcare and Food Insecurity: A Unified Approach By Nancy Trout, MD: With food insecurity on the rise in Connecticut, the Start Childhood Off Right program, part of Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health, is dedicated to providing essential support to families in need. Food insecurity—defined as the economic and social condition
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Beyond Hydronephrosis: Gjovana’s Story In 2019, a very pregnant Kristina Gisonde studied two dots on her latest ultrasound. The dots represented her baby’s kidneys, and they were different sizes – not a good sign. Her doctor recommended that, soon after birth, they see a specialist at Connecticut Children's. Kristina
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Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 2 - Supporting the Financial Health of Pediatric Care By Bridgett Feagin, MBA: As Chief Financial Officer at Connecticut Children’s, part of my role is ensuring that our independent children’s health system has the necessary resources to meet the needs of our patients and their families. Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100%
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Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health Strengthens Clinical Care Delivery By Paul Dworkin, MD: Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health (the Office) is a national leader in developing and supporting innovations to strengthen families and community programs to promote healthy development and help children reach their full potential. However, our work is also Article
Remembering Joanna: The “Heart” of Help Me Grow By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD With great sadness, I share my reflections on the passing of our dear friend and beloved colleague, Joanna Bogin. Joanna was the first manager of the Help Me Grow (HMG) National Center, leading our HMG dissemination efforts even prior to our evolution to an
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Meet Sarah: Using the Power of Connection in Caring for Patients Sarah Orlando, PA-C, has had a passion for medicine since the tender age of 10 when she attempted to suture her brother’s finger. She didn’t know it at the time, but she would find her niche as a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Department. Once Sarah discovered the non-stop
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Pain Psychology Services Chronic pain affects the body both physically and emotionally. Our pain psychologists focus on the mind-body connection when developing your treatment plan. We offer a variety of psychology services to help children and teens manage the stress, anxiety, and emotions that are