It’s the Weekend, January 25 and 26, 2020

• No Walk-In Appointments on the Weekend
• Patients are seen by appointment only on all holidays and weekends.
• If you think your child may need to be seen this weekend, call 919-781-7490 in the morning after 9 am and speak to the nurse working with the On Call Pediatrician.
• Saturday and Sunday Clinic begins at 10am. Clinic ending time varies depending on how busy we are.
• After clinic, we are available to speak by phone about any urgent concerns you may have.

The Weekend Lineup

• Our On Call Pediatrician manages our after hours care.
• Saturday’s On-Call Pediatrician: Jamila Fletcher, MD
• Sunday’s On-Call Pediatrician: Rick Gessner, MD
  

After Hours Care

• Urgent calls outside regular hours: 919-781-7490
• After hours backup number: 919-831-5526
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

January 6, 2020 – Happy New Year to all of our RCAM families.

With the change of season, it is our tradition to change our banner picture – wishing an appreciative “goodbye” to Young Girl with Yellow Umbrella and a welcoming “hello” to Three Girls On a Sled (Editor’s Note: please operate all snow sledding devices with the utmost care, particularly when young children / infants are involved).

1-Flu Season Update: Ready or Not, Here We Go

Above are the last three years of flu data – including this year up to 12/28/2019.

This year’s numbers of new cases of influenza in the state of North Carolina is the red line that has been moving upwards the last few weeks.

The previous two years data is also shown on this graph and you may notice this year has begun the upward climb a bit earlier.

Therefore, if you are planning to get a flu vaccine, you want to do that pretty soon (NOTE: October and November are typically the best months to get your flu vaccine to be as ready as you can for when flu starts being active).

2-We Still Have Lots of Flu Vaccine Available

From the above graphic, you can see that Flu activity doesn’t typically peak until February – so, there could still be some benefit from getting your flu vaccine if you haven’t gotten yours yet.

3-Long Time RCAM Office Manager Debbie Maness to Retire After 41 Years

Debbie began working with RCAM as a nurse on May 1, 1978 when it was known as “Fleming, Edwards, and Goldman”.

Also in 1978:

• Jimmy Carter was president
• Smallpox was eradicated
• First birth of an infant from in vitro fertilization
• “Stayin’ Alive” from the Bee Gees was the 2nd most popular song (How did that get beat out by Players’ “Baby Come Back” for number one?)
• Grease was the most popular movie
• Most TVs had about 3 channels (and no cable bill) and the number one show was “Laverne and Shirley“

One day, Dr. Fleming asked her if she would be the office manager and – yada yada yada – its been 41 years and her last day before retirement will be February 28, 2020.

Debbie has seen our office through countless transitions: new Pediatricians, new Offices, Second Offices, computer systems, electronic medical records… and I think we had all those things happened in 2006. So, if you just multiply all that by 40 and you have an idea of Debbie’s spectrum of work.

Probably the hardest thing is not answering to just one person. Instead, she had between 3 and 8 bosses at any one time – keeping all those physician-owners happy was the impossible task that was placed on her shoulders every day.

We have been so lucky to have had her fill such an important job for us for so long. I know of no one who has been more dedicated to the success of our office – who has put more blood, sweat and tears into it than Debbie Maness.

We have had some pretty big losses over the last few years with the retirements of Leigh Lehan, MD and Marjorie Carr, MD – this loss leaves just as big of shoes to fill.

[NOTE: We are excited that Brian Carter has agreed to fill Debbie’s role as RCAM Office manager after February 28th. More about him later. You may have noticed him around the office this past month as he has been taking some time learning the ropes.]

4-Holiday Card Record Eclipsed

Thank you for send us your Holiday Cards (Note: the above pic is NOT one of your Holiday Cards).

It is a highlight of our year when your cards cover the walls of our office.

This year a total of 319 cards were displayed in our Duraleigh Office. This surpassed last year’s previous record total of 278 cards.

We save your cards each year and display each family’s cards together. For the month of December we get a clear visual of our families growing and maturing.

Next year, add us to your list of card recipients:

Raleigh, NC 27612

Today is Wednesday, January 1, 2020

NOTE: Our office is closed for routine business today in observance of the New Year’s Day Holiday

No Walk-In Appointments on Holidays

• Like other holidays, we are open on a limited basis
• Patients are seen by appointment only at the Duraleigh office on all holidays.
• If you think your child may need to be seen today, call 919-781-7490 in the morning after 9 am and speak to the nurse working with the On Call Pediatrician.
• Today’s New Year’s Day Holiday clinic begins at 10am. Clinic ending time varies depending on how busy we are.
• After clinic, we are available to speak by phone about any urgent concerns you may have.
• Tomorrow will be a regular Thursday workday.

The New Year’s Day Holiday Lineup

• Today’s New Year’s Day On Call Pediatrician:  Dr. Emily Mims

After Hours Care

• Our On Call Pediatrician manages our after hours care.
• Urgent calls outside regular hours: 919-781-7490
• After hours backup number: 919-831-5526
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

December 30, 2019 – A quick note: this Wednesday is New Year’s Day and that – among other things – is an RCAM office holiday.

See how you can get up with our office if you have questions or need to be seen on a holiday here

In short, we handle holidays a lot like we handle weekends:

• One of our pediatricians will be on-call
• They will see our newborns at Rex Hospital in the early morning
• They will then see patients with urgent needs who have spoken with the nurse on call
• That clinic begins at 10 am at our Duraleigh office

We hope the new year brings you and your family peace and happiness

December 23, 2019 – Here is how we will be available over the next five days. In summary, we will be in at least one of our offices 4 out of the next 5 days. December 25th is the only day of the year we are not available in person, but we can be reached by phone for urgent concerns.

Hope you get to enjoy time with your family!

When it’s Monday, December 23, 2019

• Typical Monday at RCAM
• Both Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices are OPEN
  
• Walk-In appointments at the Duraleigh office: arrive between 8:00 and 8:30am
• Friday’s On Call Pediatrician: Dr. Ben Meares

When It’s Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2019

• Duraleigh office opens at regular time (Duraleigh Walk-Ins may arrive between 8:00am to 8:30am)
• Brier Creek office is closed
• Walk-In appointments at the Duraleigh office: arrive between 8:00 and 8:30am
• Duraleigh office will close early (sometime after lunch)
• Monday’s On Call Pediatrician: Dr. Todd Harris

When it’s Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2019

• Both Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices are closed
• Christmas Day’s On Call Pediatrician: Dr. Ben Meares will be available for phone advice throughout the day

When it’s Thursday, December 26, 2019

• Duraleigh office opens at regular time
  
• Brier Creek office is closed
• Walk-In appointments at the Duraleigh office: arrive between 8:00 and 8:30am
• Duraleigh office will close early (sometime after lunch)
• Wednesday’s On Call Pediatrician: Dr. Sarah Owrey

When it’s Friday, December 27, 2019

• Back to our typical Friday at RCAM
• Both Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices are OPEN
  
• Walk-In appointments at the Duraleigh office: arrive between 8:00 and 8:30am
• Thursday’s On Call Pediatrician: Dr. Jamila Fletcher

After Hours / Holiday Hours Care

• Our On Call Pediatrician manages our after hours care.
• Urgent calls outside regular hours: 919-781-7490
• After hours backup number: 919-831-5526
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

November 25, 2019 – Please note:

Illness does not recognize holidays, so here is how RCAM plans to be available during the holiday season:

It is our wish to be your child’s medical home – one place where all your child’s care resides.

1. That means being available for questions:
   • Every day of the year one of our pediatricians is on call 24-hours-a-day for urgent health concerns.
   • If you ever have urgent concerns about your child’s health – you can always call us:919-781-7490(If there is trouble with the above number, our on call backup number is 919-831-5526)
2. That means being available to be seen – even if it is a holiday or a weekend:
   • We strive to keep our patients out of Urgent Cares and Pharmacy Clinics.
   • Emergency Rooms provide a vital service but – when possible – we want to keep you from having to go there too.
   • On weekends and holidays, we will see children with urgent medical concerns beginning in the morning by appointment only (call first – there are no walk-in appointments on holidays or weekends).
   • Christmas Day is the only day of the year that we do not see patients in our office (but we are available by phone all day).

Wednesday – November 27

• Typical, regular weekday business hours at both the Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices

Thursday – Thanksgiving Day – November 28

• BOTH offices closed for routine business
• Typical holiday office coverage (limited clinic at Duraleigh Office location)

Friday – November 29

• Duraleigh office OPEN
  
• Brier Creek office closed

Saturday and Sunday – November 30 and December 1

• Typical Saturday / Sunday / Weekend hours 

Monday – December 2

• Back to typical, regular weekday business hours at both the Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices

Monday – December 23

• Typical, regular weekday business hours at both the Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices

Tuesday – Christmas Eve –  December 24

• Duraleigh office OPEN (sick visits only; we will likely check out to our on call pediatrician and close the office early)
• Brier Creek office closed

Wednesday – Christmas Day – December 25

• BOTH offices closed
• On call pediatrician available for urgent questions
• No office clinic on Christmas Day (atypical holiday hours)

Thursday – December 26

• Duraleigh office OPEN (we will likely check out to our on call pediatrician and close the office early)
• Brier Creek office closed

Friday – December 27

• Back to typical, regular weekday business hours at both the Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices

Monday – December 30

• Typical, regular weekday business hours at both the Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices

Tuesday – December 31

• Duraleigh office OPEN
• Brier Creek office closed

New Year’s Day – Wednesday – January 1

• BOTH offices closed for routine business
• Typical holiday office coverage (limited clinic at Duraleigh Office location)

Thursday – January 2

• Back to typical, regular weekday business hours at both the Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices

September 26, 2019 – It came a little later than usual – but still with plenty of time to have your child vaccinated before we see increasing flu illness.

Now Is A Good Time To Schedule Your Child’s Flu Vaccination

• We have flu vaccine for ALL children ages 6 months old and up
• Call and schedule an appointment for your children in one of our Flu Vaccination Clinics
• Flu illness is most common in the fall and winter; the incidence starts to go up in October; the peak incidence is typically not until February
• Flu vaccine provides coverage for about six months – that means if you get a Flu Vaccine today, you can expect it to be working for you through the end of March

Some Facts About Flu Vaccine

• Flu vaccine decreases the likelihood of catching the flu. In other words, some children who get flu vaccine may still catch the flu – but you have a better chance of not catching the flu if you have had your flu vaccine
• Flu vaccine does not cause the flu – the CDC has more details about why we are so sure that flu vaccine does not cause the flu (and other flu vaccine misconceptions) here
• We again are only offering the ‘flu shot’ version of the flu vaccine – maybe next year, but so far the information about Flumist (the ‘nasal spray’ version) has not convinced pediatricians that it is back to being effective again
• We have both state-supplied and private-supplied flu vaccine – both are the same flu vaccine – the only difference is who is providing the vaccine

Dr. Gessner Demonstrates the Appropriate Mood…

…When all your children have had their flu vaccine prior to flu season…

September 5, 2019 – We are having regular business hours at both our Duraleigh and Brier Creek offices.

As the rain is coming down now and with the winds to come this evening, we will finish up like typical this afternoon but will cancel tonight’s Weekday Evening On Call Clinic.

To summarize:

• We will be in both offices until about 5pm today
• Thursday Night Evening On Call Clinic is cancelled
• Dr. Sarah Owrey is on call tonight and will be available for urgent phone calls
• The plan right now for tomorrow is to have a regular day. We will of course reassess as we get up tomorrow in the early morning and know more about the affects of Hurricane Dorian passing by overnight.

Stay safe. Let us know if we can be of help.

It is the Labor Day Weekend Holiday

August 31, September 1 and September 2

NOTE: Our office is closed for routine business on Monday in observance of the Labor Day Holiday

No Walk-In Appointments on Holidays and Weekends

• Like other holidays, we are open on a limited basis
• Patients are seen by appointment only on all holidays and weekends.
• If you think your child may need to be seen this Saturday, Sunday or Monday, call 919-781-7490 in the morning after 9 am and speak to the nurse working with the On Call Pediatrician.
• Saturday Weekend Clinic, Sunday Weekend Clinic and Monday’s Labor Day Holiday Clinic will all begin at 10am. Clinic ending time will vary depending on how busy we are.
• After clinic, we are available to speak by phone about any urgent concerns you may have.

The Holiday Weekend Lineup

• Saturday’s On Call Pediatrician:  Dr. Sarah Owrey
• Sunday’s On Call Pediatrician:  Dr. Todd Harris
• Monday’s Labor Day Holiday On Call Pediatrician: Dr. Sarah Owrey
  

After Hours Care

• Our On Call Pediatrician manages our after hours care.
• Urgent calls outside regular hours: 919-781-7490
• After hours backup number: 919-831-5526
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

August 30, 2019 – In an historic first, we will be changing our website banner a wee bit early.

Fall doesn’t come until September 23rd but announcements have been piling up.

Also, the weather has been a little cooler (I know – I am sure we’ll be in the 90s by the time this posts) and college football begins a full schedule this weekend so here we go…

…we bid adieu to Three Girls on the Beach and hello to Young Girl With Yellow Umbrella in Autumn Park.

1-Dr. Carr Retires

This one will take some time to absorb and appreciate the significance of a career that spanned 40 continuous years at RCAM.

Dr. Carr would like me to keep this brief. May I refer you to the article below for (a few) more details.

2-Nurse Chessica Had Her Baby

Some of you have been following the pregnancy of Chessica – one of our nurses at our Duraleigh office whose name rhymes with Jessica.

She and her husband welcomed Baby Boy Parrish just a few days ago. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces.

They feel very blessica-ed. 😀

3-Pediatrician Formerly Known As Emily Ross, MD: Now Known As Emily Mims, MD

In the spring we reported that our very own Emily Ross, MD was getting married.

With Dr. Carr retiring and Emily now Dr. Mims, it is taking some time to update letterhead, name tags, door placards,etc…. but don’t let that confuse you when you see or hear Dr. Mims’ name.

4-Labor Day Holiday

REMINDER: It’s Labor Day weekend. As usual, we will be around.

5-Flu Vaccine 2019-2020

It wouldn’t be a Fall Banner change without mentioning Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine.

Our supply won’t arrive before October (though it appears the pharmacies already have their supply). October and November are typically good months to get your flu vaccine. Injectible flu vaccine lasts about 6 months. If you get your flu vaccine in October, it should last through March – which is good because that is typically a busy month for flu. Stay tuned though as there have been some reports of early flu activity.