Adolescent Medicine
Welcome to the Adolescent Clinic at Northeast Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine! We are so happy that you have chosen us to care for your child. Whether you are new to our practice, or whether we have been caring for your child for many years, we look forward to helping your child in the transition to a new clinic environment and the challenging but rewarding teen years. We promise to strive always to provide your child and family with exceptional health care.
To prepare you for the transition, we would like to share some information with you. On weekdays, the Adolescent Clinic entrance is located on the north side of the building (the left side as you enter our parking lot). Urgent visits after regular office hours or on weekends will take place in the Pediatric Clinic on the upper level, which is accessed from the main parking lot entrances. You will be met by a professional and friendly staff who will provide you with forms that will assist us in personalizing your care. Please remember to bring your insurance card to every appointment, as current insurance information must be confirmed at each visit. Before your appointment begins, the adolescent and the parent/guardian accompanying him or her to the visit may be given a questionnaire to complete. These questionnaires are an extremely important element of the visit; please take the time to answer honestly and thoroughly.
Adolescent visits are structured a bit differently from pediatric visits. However, you will be cared for by the same providers you have come to know over the years as a pediatric patient. Parents are encouraged to communicate any concerns that they may wish to bring to the provider’s attention to the clinical staff at the time of arrival. For most visits, parents are encouraged to relax in our waiting room for the first portion of the visit, during which the provider will interview and examine the adolescent in private. Parents/guardians will then be asked to join the visit for further discussion. We encourage you to share successes as well as challenges during this time and take advantage of patient education materials specifically geared to the adolescent patient.
In accordance with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, we would like you to anticipate immunizations that will be offered to you. Some of these vaccines are required for school while others we strongly encourage because of their health benefit. Beginning at 11 years of age, all patients will be offered a booster for Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis as well as vaccines for Meningitis, Hepatitis A, and, if not already done, Chicken Pox (Varicella). Females will also be offered the Human Papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil) which is a series of 3 doses. Other immunizations may be encouraged by your provider at the time of your visit depending on your circumstances. In addition, if you plan to travel to a foreign country, we may recommend vaccinations specific to your travel plans. As always, detailed information sheets will be offered to you every time an immunization is administered.
Again, thank you for choosing Northeast Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (607) 257-5067.