Pediatric Physicians, PC – Happy, Healthy, Safe

Two cases of measles have been reported in the metro Atlanta area,  the Georgia Department of Public Health reported today. The cases were probably brought here by unvaccinated children from Washington State, which has reported 16 cases, two of whom recently traveled to Georgia. Of the 16 Washington cases known so far, 14 were unvaccinated (the other 2 have unknown vaccine status at this time.) Most of these cases are in children less than 10 years of age, and two have been hospitalized.

Measles is among the most contagious infections known, though until just a few years ago transmission in the United States had been eliminated. It is now surging in several countries in Europe and across the globe, driven by gaps in vaccine coverage. It’s the unfortunate but entirely predictable outcome of an entirely unjustified fear of vaccines.

The symptoms of measles are fever, rash, cough, red eyes, and runny nose. If you suspect your child has measles DO NOT COME TO OUR OFFICE. A potential measles exposure is unsafe for the young babies and other vulnerable people here. Instead of coming in, CALL US ON THE PHONE, 24/7, and we will help make arrangements for your child to be evaluated safely in a setting that minimizes the risk. Please DO NOT just go to an emergency department or urgent care center – CALL US, and we will help ensure your child gets the right care in the right place.

Measles is a serious infection that can cause long-term problems. It is essential that all of us are properly vaccinated to protect ourselves, our communities, and the people among us who cannot be vaccinated (young babies and people with immune problems.) We can beat measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases back, but we must work together to fight the fearmongers, listen to the real experts & the genuine science, and do the right thing for our children. Vaccinate!

Did you know that Dr. Michelle became a certified yoga instructor last year? She’s now teaching classes at Mayuri Yoga! Dr. Michelle would like to invite you to practice yoga with her on Sunday mornings at 11 am. She is teaching a basics yoga class open to anyone 14 years of age and older. Parents are welcome as well! No yoga experience is needed.

Yoga benefits your body and your mind! Take a break from school or work & find a spot on the mat. See Dr. Michelle’s yoga website drmichyoga.wixsite.com/yoga or go directly to www.mayuriyoga.com to sign up for class. Dr. Michelle hopes to extend classes to younger children as this brand new studio grows!

Have a safe and happy holiday season! We’ll have special hours for Christmas and New Year’s Day. As always, one of our doctors will be available after hours by phone for emergencies. You can also use our portal to contact us for NON urgent issues.

Our offices will be open on Christmas Eve 12/24 and New Year’s Eve, 12/31, by appointment only, in the mornings. Please call for an appointment if your child needs to be seen. We cannot “squeeze in” walk-in patients during this busy time. We will be closed Christmas Day 12/25 and on New Year’s Day 1/1/2019.

Kids Time After Hours Pediatrics is the best choice for routine pediatric care when our offices are closed. They have locations in Alpharetta, East Cobb, and Sandy Springs. For more information including their holiday hours, visit their web site.

Children’s Healthcare Urgent Care Centers will be open on Christmas Day and New Year’s from 9 am to 7 pm, and of course the Children’s Emergency Departments at Scottish Rite and Egleston are always open, 24/7.

Visit this page for more information about the best resources for after-hours pediatric care in the Atlanta area, including examples of what kinds of problems are best handled at Kids Time, Urgent Care, or the Emergency Department.

We’re excited to announce a new pediatrician joining our practice — Dr. Reanne Stephansson! She’ll start seeing patients at our Windward office in January.

Dr. Reanne was born in the Philippines, moved to the United States when she was five years old, and spent most of her childhood in Dalton, GA. She attended the University of Georgia, where she met her husband, Erik. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and graduated Magna Cum Laude with high honors in Microbiology. Dr. Reanne conducted research on Salmonella at the CDC for two years prior to attending Mercer University School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric training at Emory University School of Medicine in 2011. She practiced pediatrics in Alpharetta for eight years prior to joining Pediatric Physicians, PC.  She is a Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Dr. Reanne resides in Dunwoody with her husband, son, and daughter. Outside of pediatrics, she loves traveling, exercising, relaxing at home, and spending time with her family.