Being a parent is one of life's most satisfying experiences. From the moment he or she is born, your child is a unique person with a unique path in life. Along the way, there will be many moments of elation, as well as times of worry. We are here to help every step of the way.

Well Visits

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a recommended schedule of well-child visits that we suggest for your child. Well-child visits are scheduled with your primary pediatrician during regular office hours. Please make your appointments for well visits as early as possible, as our schedule often fills as much as 2 months in advance. During the first year of your child's life, it is wise to make your next well visit appointment as you are leaving the office. Scheduling these check-ups two to three months in advance is recommended.

Sick Visits

We schedule same day appointments each day after 8 am. If you call early in the day, your child will be seen sooner and there is a greater chance of seeing your regular physician.

Immunizations

The pediatricians at Orlando Health Physician Associates strongly believe that proper immunization is essential to the health and wellbeing of all children. We follow guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Below you will find our clinic immunization schedule as well as links to our vaccine handouts. For more information, please visit the CDC website (Please see our Links page.)

Telephone Calls

When calling for non-urgent matters such as well baby advice or prescription refills, please call during normal office hours whenever possible. You also will find many answers to common questions as well as a link to request prescription refills online through our website. If your call is regarding an urgent situation, please inform the receptionist so we may handle the call appropriately. Calls are generally returned later that same day or at the end of the day in the early evening. Please note that our telephones are especially busy in the morning.

When calling, be prepared to provide the following information:

• Child's Name
• Date of Birth
• Drug Allergies
• Chronic Health Problems
• Pharmacy Telephone Number
• Telephone Number where you can be reached

After Hours Telephone Calls and Tele-care

A physician will be on-call at all times for medical emergencies. We do provide sick and emergency appointments during weekday evenings at both our offices, and sick and emergency appointments on weekend and holiday mornings at our Mills office. Non-urgent matters should wait until the next business day. During office hours, most medical questions will be referred to our pediatric nurse triage system, which offers over the phone assistance. They have specific protocols on how to manage medical problems and when to call the physician. Before and after regular office hours, we utilize a telephone answering service called Tele-care. Tele-care is staffed with professionally trained pediatric triage nurses.

Our on-call physician is always available to assist Tele-care staff with any questions or concerns.

Recommended Websites

• The American Academy of Pediatrics
• Healthy Children
• KidsHealth
• The Center for Disease Control
• La Leche League
• Arnold Palmer Hospital For Children
• Winnie Palmer Hospital For Women & Babies
• American Association of Poison Control Centers

Please Note: If you have a poisoning emergency and the victim has collapsed, stopped breathing, or having difficulty breathing - DIAL 911 without delay.

For contacting Florida Poison Control Centers during an emergency call 1-800-222-1222.