As New England thaws and spring brings warm sunny days filled with outdoor fun, it also brings bugs—especially ticks! After a long winter, it’s easy to let our guard down—but ticks are already active, and daily tick checks are an important part of keeping your child healthy. 

As the colder months approach, so does the return of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Let’s explore some key measures to keep our little ones healthy and safe!

We are thrilled to announce that Pediatric Associates at Northwoods has been recognized by Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) with a 2024 Patient Experience Award for Patients’ Trust in Their Providers! This award is a testament to the strong relationships we build with our patients and families every day. Trust is the foundation of quality pediatric care, and we are incredibly proud of our team for their dedication to creating a welcoming, supportive, and compassionate environment where children and families feel heard, valued, and well cared for. MHQP is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality, patient experience, and transparency in Massachusetts. Each year, MHQP collects and analyzes patient survey data to evaluate healthcare experiences across the state. Their Patient Experience Awards recognize top-performing practices in key areas such as provider communication, coordination of care, and patient trust. This recognition reflects direct feedback from families like yours, making it an especially meaningful honor. We are grateful to our patients for their confidence in us and to our incredible staff for their commitment to providing the highest level of care. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your child’s healthcare journey! 💙👶👩‍⚕️

St. Patrick’s Day , celebrated on March 17th, is a fun holiday that honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. While it’s widely recognized for its shamrocks, leprechauns, and everything green, the holiday originally began as a religious observance. Today, it’s a joyful celebration full of parades, music, and festive cheer. As you enjoy the day, here are a few tips to keep your little ones happy and healthy: 🍀 Stay Hydrated – Whether at a parade or home, make sure kids drink plenty of water. 🍀Allergy-Friendly Treats – Double-check ingredients in festive snacks, especially if your child has food allergies. 🍀 Safe Celebrations – Avoid small decorations or trinkets that could be choking hazards for little ones. 🍀 Get Active – Take a walk and see how many green things your child can spot! 🍀 Drive Safely – If you're out and about, be mindful of road safety and always drive carefully. Fun Green Things to D o: 🍀 Green Scavenger Hunt – Create a list of green things to find around the house or yard. 🍀 Make Green Crafts – Use green paper, markers, and glue to make shamrocks, leprechauns, or rainbows. 🍀Green Snack Time – Try green smoothies, guacamole, or a colorful fruit salad with green grapes, kiwi, and apples. 🍀 Wear Green – Get in the festive spirit with green outfits! Fun Leprechaun Facts Leprechauns, those mischievous creatures from Irish folklore, have some fun traits! Here are a few: 🍀Leprechaun Origins: Leprechauns are a type of fairy from Irish folklore, known for their mischievous nature and love of gold. 🍀Appearance: They are small, bearded men wearing green coats and hats. 🍀Occupation: Leprechauns are cobblers or shoemakers by trade. 🍀Gold at the End of the Rainbow: According to legend, leprechauns hide their pots of gold at the end of rainbows. Fun Books for St. Patrick’s Day Add some extra magic with these highly-rated reads: 🍀"The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever!" by Teddy Slater 🍀 "How to Catch a Leprechaun" by Adam Wallace 🍀 " There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover!" by Lucille Colandro A ll of us at PAN wish you a safe, happy, and lucky St. Paddy’s Day! 🌈 🌈 🌈

At Pediatric Associates at Northwoods, we believe in teaching children the values of kindness, equality, and standing up for what is right—principles embodied by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this special day, we honor his life and legacy as a leader who inspired people of all ages to dream of a brighter, more inclusive future.

The holiday season is here, and we know it’s a busy time for families! At Pediatric Associates at Northwoods, we want to help you plan ahead for your little one’s care. While we hope you're enjoying time with family and friends, we know that kids' illnesses and accidents don’t always follow the holiday schedule. To allow our team to enjoy some holiday cheer with their loved ones, our office will be operating under modified hours. Here’s our schedule: • Monday, December 23rd: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM • Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve): 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM • Wednesday, December 25th (Christmas Day): Closed • Thursday, December 26th: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM • Friday, December 27th: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM • Saturday, December 28th: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM • Sunday, December 29th: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM • Monday, December 30th: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM • Tuesday, December 31st (New Year’s Eve): 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM • Wednesday, January 1st (New Year’s Day): Closed • Thursday, January 2nd: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM • Friday, January 3rd: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM An on-call physician will be available for urgent issues. In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or visit your local emergency room. Wishing you and yours a merry and healthy holiday season! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your child’s care.

Our office hours for the holiday: Wednesday, November 27: Closing early at 2:00 PM Thursday-Saturday, November 28-30: An on-call physician will be available for emergency issues. Closed for office hours to allow our staff to spend time with their families.  A Thanksgiving Celebration of Gratitude: What Our Kids and Families Are Thankful For As Thanksgiving approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the things that matter most. This week, we asked our young patients and their families to share what they’re grateful for this year. Here’s a glimpse of their heartwarming responses .

Web Spotlight: Insights from the ZERO to THREE website. Ever wondered how babies learn to talk? Remarkably, even at just a few months old, infants prefer speech sounds and can distinguish their parents' voices from strangers. It’s fascinating how early this skill develops! One important element is “parentese,” a special way babies and their parents communicate that goes beyond simple baby talk.

As summer ends and the school year begins, both students and parents often feel a familiar pang of anxiety. The shift from summer’s relaxed pace to school’s structured demands can be overwhelming. New teachers, unfamiliar classrooms, and academic pressures add to the stress.