Author: Lake Forest Pediatric Associates

Post Date: 1556596800
Status: live

It’s not every day that you save a life! Lake Forest Pediatric Associates Nurse Nicolette Larsen recently did just that! She was out to dinner at a local restaurant and she saved the life of a woman who was choking at a nearby table.

Nicolette makes an important difference every day at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates as a Registered Nurse and valued team member. We could not be more proud of her quick reaction time and competence in responding to a life-threatening emergency.

Read more about her response to the emergency situation in the article from Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital below:

LFH Nurse Rescues Woman at Restaurant

Nicolette Larsen, RN, BSN, registered nurse in E3 Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics at Lake Forest Hospital, was at a restaurant eating dinner when someone started choking at a nearby table. “Her friend stood up and said, ‘Help! Help! She can’t breathe!’” Larsen recalls.

After another patron unsuccessfully attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver, Larsen calmly stepped in. From behind the woman’s chair, she was able to dislodge the food.

“It was surreal,” Larsen says. “My adrenaline was pumping, and it felt really, really good once she could breathe again.”

Sharon Dufault, BSN, RN, nurse manager for E3, says that’s just the kind of behavior Larsen regularly displays at work.

Dufault describes Larsen as a soft-spoken nurse who always has a smile on her face and is very competent. “If you are in need of something, she will jump in and help you,” Dufault says. “She’s always looking to keep learning and finding ways to advance herself as a professional nurse.”

While this is the first time Larsen has needed to use her nursing skills in an emergency outside the hospital, Larsen says she’s ready to step up again. “We should all do what we can, when we can, when we are out in public to help people,” she says.

Post Date: 1561521600
Status: live

All of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates wish you a Happy Fourth of July!

As always, Lake Forest Pediatric Associates is available to serve you 24/7/365. Please reach out to us by phone at 847-295-1220.

On the Fourth of July, our Lake Bluff office only will be open from 8:00 am to noon for acute illness visits only. Please note that Walk-In Sick Call will not be available. Please call us on July 4th at 847-295-1220 to schedule your child’s acute illness appointment.

Our Vernon Hills and Lindenhurst offices will be closed on the Fourth of July.

All three offices will be open normal business hours on Friday, July 5th.

Post Date: 1583899200
Status: live

Update 3-11-2020

We’ve been hearing from lots of families about their coronavirus concerns and we are here to help.

If BOTH of the following statements apply to your child, please call the office at 847-295-1220 for direction about COVID-19 testing and treatment:

1. Your child has a fever and/or respiratory symptoms

AND

2. Your child has recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy
    or
    Your child has been potentially exposed to family/friends that have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy   

Coronavirus and Helpful Resources

We at Lake Forest Pediatrics are aware of your concerns regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus and are closely monitoring reports from the CDC, AAP, and WHO regarding the diagnosis and spread of this disease. One reassuring point that’s become apparent as cases of COVID-19 have been studied is that children infected with coronavirus have experienced very mild symptoms. However, if you are concerned that your child may have coronavirus, please call our office rather than bringing your child in for evaluation since we are unable to test for COVID-19 but want to assist you in getting your child the appropriate medical evaluation. Here are two helpful articles that discuss COVID-19 and how to protect you and your family:

https://parentingpediatrician.com/2020/03/03/coronavirus-covid-19-
information/
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/2019-novel-coronavirus-ncov/

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM CORONAVIRUS

What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to
person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Prevention
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses,
including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Travel Warnings
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy. CDC also advises that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan. Travelers should practice usual precautions when traveling to Hong Kong. If you plan to travel internationally, you can enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important messages, alerts, updates, and travel advisories while you are there.

More Information
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new
information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.
The Illinois Department of Health provides updates on the disease’s spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here.
The US Department of State provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.

Post Date: 1538020800
Status: hidden

Influenza can be deadly for children. According to the CDC, 180 children under the age of 18 died from the flu in the past flu season. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 6 months be vaccinated every year against the flu, unless there is a medical reason to avoid doing so.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that children be vaccinated with injectable flu vaccine for the coming season. Read here about why the injected version is recommended over FluMist.

Lake Forest Pediatric Associates is now scheduling flu shot appointments. Please call 847-295-1220 to schedule an appointment.

Post Date: 1538971200
Status: live

Congratulations to Lake Forest Pediatric Associates’ pediatrician Dr. Jeff Roleck, who finished the 41st Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7th!

Wet paving and the occasional sprinkles didn’t dampen Dr. Roleck’s enthusiasm for the popular athletic event! Starting and finishing in Grant Park, he ran the 26.2-mile course through 29 picturesque Chicago neighborhoods. An estimated 1.7 million spectators enthusiastically supported the runners by ringing bells, clapping, holding up signs, and shouting kind words of support.

This was Dr. Roleck’s 4th Chicago Marathon finish. All of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are so proud of Dr. Roleck’s accomplishment!

Post Date: 1535342400
Status: live

Our new phone system will be installed on Tuesday, August 28th! We’re excited that the new phone system will provide our pediatric practice with advanced technology, improved reliability, and innovative communications features.

We have been assured that our internet and phone systems will be unaffected during the transition, until the actual cut over is made at approximately 4:00 pm. The transition work is expected to take up to two hours to complete. During that time, we will not have phone service.

If you need to contact us during that time period, please either send a message via the portal for non-emergent situations/questions or call our answering service. As always, for medical emergencies please call 911. Read more here: https://lakeforestpediatrics.com/news-events/articles/phone-system-updates

Post Date: 1534392000
Status: archived

We’re excited to announce that our phone system will be updated soon! The new Comcast phone system will bring advanced technology, improved reliability, and innovative communications features to our pediatric practice.

We are in the final stages of making the transition from our AT&T system to the new Comcast system. We expect to finalize the transition to the new phone system on Tuesday, August 28th, sometime after 4:00 pm. The transition work is expected to take up to two hours to complete. During that time, we will not have phone service. If you need to contact us during that time period, please either send a message via the portal for non-emergent situations/questions or call our answering service. As always, for medical emergencies call 911.

Post Date: 1530763200
Status: live

Summer road construction is taking place on Grand Avenue (Route 132) west of Route 45. The construction is causing delays on Grand Avenue and adjacent roadways. Click here for an interactive map of road conditions in the area.

Because of the road construction, our patients are experiencing delays in accessing our Lindenhurst Office. Please plan to add some extra travel time if you have an appointment at our Lindenhurst office.

Post Date: 1530072000
Status: hidden

All of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates wish you a Happy Fourth of July!

As always, Lake Forest Pediatric Associates is available to serve you 24/7/365. Please reach out to us by phone at 847-295-1220.

On the Fourth of July, our Lake Bluff office will be open from 8:00 am to Noon for acute illness visits only. Please note that Walk-In Sick Call will not be available. Please call us on July 4th at 847-295-1220 to schedule your child’s acute illness appointment.

Our Vernon Hills and Lindenhurst offices will be closed on the Fourth of July.

Post Date: 1515474000
Status: live

Lake Forest Pediatrics strives to provide high quality, compassionate, and outstanding pediatric care to the families of the communities we serve. The well-being and availability of health care for kids is a very important matter. For over 20 years the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has helped provide healthcare for children and their families.

It has been over 100 days since Congress passed funding for this program. In order to avoid a government shutdown by January 19th, Congress must pass a new government spending bill. We encourage you to make your voice heard by contacting your members of Congress to let them know the importance of including CHIP funding in this bill.

Call your members of Congress today:
877-233-9025 and be directed to the offices of your federal legislators.

Tweet to your members of Congress today and include this hashtag: #ExtendCHIP

• Twitter handles for all US Senators:
https://twitter.com/cspan/lists/senators/members

• Twitter handles for all US Representatives:
https://twitter.com/cspan/lists/u-s-representatives

Please also feel free to share this message in order to raise awareness for the urgency of including healthcare coverage for millions of children in this bill. Thank you for supporting children and their families!