Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2018 - 8

scheduled sick visits throughout

examined it and prescribed one

the day and 24-hour physician

cream. I used it for a few days and

access for urgent care needs. For

my son's skin cleared totally up."

patients who need specialty care,

Wright says she appreciates the

UM Pediatrics and Midtown pedia-

time Dr. Spanier takes with Ethan,

tricians can refer them to pediatric

now 1, and Makayla, now 8, during

specialty partners at the University

each visit-and how the practice

of Maryland Children's Hospital.

makes them feel at home.

But for many children, even

"I love how he has a personal

specialty concerns can be addressed

relationship with my kids," she

at UM Pediatrics at Midtown.

says of Dr. Spanier. "He makes

When Kimberly Wright's new-

them feel comfortable each time

born son, Ethan, developed severe

they come in. And when I come in,

eczema on his chest and face, she

I don't feel like I'm a stranger. The

knew where to turn.

staff always say, 'Hi, Mrs. Wright,'

"Based on my experience with

mom.' That personal touch makes

help," she says. "He saw the eczema,

a difference."

WHAT IS A PATIENTCENTERED MEDICAL HOME?
"When you're picking a day care,
it's really hard because there are a million
day cares out there," he continues. "Some
people look for one that has national
certification. This is a national certification
of our practice. It shows we have a level of
commitment to this model of care coordination, patient centeredness and quality
improvement within our practice."
The National Committee for Quality
Assurance is the accrediting organization for practices qualifying as PatientCentered Medical Homes. It recognizes
UM Pediatrics at Midtown as a Level 3
Patient-Centered Medical Home-the
highest level a practice can receive.

DEDICATED TO KEEPING YOUR KIDS HEALTHY
University of Maryland Pediatrics at Midtown is located at 300 Armory
Place, Baltimore. To make an appointment, please call 410-225-8780.

8 MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS

Baby
(0 to 12 months) In the first year of life, babies
will have at least eight checkups to monitor
their growth and development.
Pediatricians from UM Pediatrics
at Midtown also care for newborns
born at the University of Maryland
Medical Center's nursery. Once babies
leave the hospital, pediatricians
continue caring for them at
UM Pediatrics at Midtown.

or, 'Hi, Makayla's mom' or 'Ethan's

Makayla, I knew Dr. Spanier could

University of Maryland Pediatrics at
Midtown is a Patient-Centered Medical
Home. That means it follows a care
model where pediatricians coordinate all of their patients' treatment to
ensure they receive the necessary care
when and where they need it and in
a manner they can understand.
"It's a way of being more thorough," says Adam Spanier, MD,
associate professor of pediatrics
at the University of Maryland School
of Medicine and medical director of
UM Pediatrics at Midtown. "It also
involves a lot of quality improvement
initiatives in the practice."

DEVELOPMENT

Toddler/Preschool
(1 to 5 years) Checkups become annual once
most children reach age 3. At UM Pediatrics
at Midtown, pediatricians examine patients
to ensure they are growing well and reaching
mental, physical and behavioral targets. They
also provide immunizations, perform screening lab work, and conduct hearing and vision
screenings, among others.

Grade School
(5 to 12 years) Physical, mental and social skills
develop quickly during this stage. Most early
grade school children can dress themselves and
tie their shoes. Becoming more independent
and developing friendships are important, especially as children near the end of grade school.
As they age, grade school children will likely:

Teen
(12 to 18 years) The teen years can be tough for
parents. Teens are experiencing intense growth
physically, emotionally and intellectually, which
can lead to confusion for both child and parent.
Puberty-the biological changes of adolescence-usually begins between the ages of 11
and 14 and is complete between the ages of 15
to 17. During the teen years, your child may:

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2018