A P u b l i c a t i o n o f Wa k e M e d C h i l d r e n’s

F A L L 0 9

The Flu BugIS IT A

CONCUSSION?

snack attack

F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 092

This year is not the typical flu

season. In addition to the

seasonal flu, we are also faced

with the H1N1 flu (previously

known as swine flu). We’ve pulled

together some general information

to help you understand the

differences in H1N1 versus the seasonal

flu and learn what you can do to protect

yourself and your family.

S Y M P T O M S

Many of the symptoms are similar for the

seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus. These

symptoms include some or all of the following:

• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Congestion

• Body aches

• Headaches

• Chills

• Fatigue

• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (more common in

children)

W H O C A N G E T T H E H 1 N 1 F L U

O R S E A S O N A L F L U ?

H1N1 influenza is impacting the younger subset of

our population – young children through college

age, and pregnant women. Research reveals that

healthy individuals born before 1957 have some

level of natural immunity to the H1N1 virus and

may not suffer severe symptoms from it.

In contrast, seasonal influenza tends to affect the

oldest and youngest subsets of our population.

Therefore, it is recommended that everyone,

particularly those with other health problems

(heart disease, cancer, kidney problems, asthma,

respiratory, diabetes), get their seasonal flu shot.

W H O S H O U L D G E T T H E F L U S H O T ?

All individuals regardless of age or health are

encouraged to get vaccinated for the H1N1 flu

and seasonal flu. Talk to your pediatrician if you

have any concerns or questions.

T I P S T O P R E V E N T

T H E F L U

• Wash your hands often

with soap and warm water,

especially after you cough or

sneeze. Alcohol-based hand

cleaners are also effective.

• Cover your nose and mouth

with a tissue when you cough or

sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash

after you use it.

• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or

sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow,

not your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with the flu, stay home from

work or school and limit contact with others

to keep from making them sick.

• Get the recommended seasonal flu vaccine.

• Get the recommended H1N1 vaccine when it

becomes available.

W H E N T O S E E K M E D I C A L C A R E

Emergent symptoms in children:

• Bluish skin tone

• Irregular, fast or difficulty breathing

• Extreme irritability – does not want to be held

• Symptoms improve then return worse than

before

• Failure to consume fluids

• Difficulty waking up

• Not interacting

Emergent symptoms in adults:

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest or abdomen pain and/or pressure

• Mental confusion

• Dizziness that comes on suddenly

• Severe, persistent vomiting

For the latest information about the flu and

additional educational resources, visit

www.wakemed.org, www.wakegov.com/flu and

www.flu.gov.

F I G H T

T H E F L U

H E A L T H Y

H A B I T Ss

3A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S

If you’ve ever bumped your noggin (and pretty much everyone has), you can probably relate to the

dizziness, confusion, sleepiness, headache, or even a bit of nausea you may have experienced. But

do you realize that you probably experienced a concussion? Many

of us associate the word “concussion” with a loss of consciousness.

While that is true in the case of a level 3 concussion, the milder

versions (1 and 2) can be just as dangerous if you – or your kids – don’t take a

time out.

“In sports, we often call these ‘sideline concussions’ because the kids get hit,

take a seat for a moment, and when they feel a little better, they jump back in

the game,” said Kevin Rathke, MD, a child and adolescent neurologist with

Raleigh Neurology. “While they may feel fine at the moment, they are at risk

for another hit.”

That second impact can cause significant brain damage or even death. In fact,

two high school football players died from head injuries during the 2008

season. One was confirmed to have died due to the second hit.

Whether your child plays football, cheers, or just horses around on the

outdoor swing set, it’s important that they take at least a 24-hour time out

from rough play after

hitting their head. “It

gives the brain some time

to recover and reduces

the chance of taking a

second hit that could

cause significant

damage,” advised Dr.

Rathke.

If your child experiences dizziness, confusion, sleepiness,

headaches, or nausea, it is usually a grade 1 concussion. If

these symptoms last beyond 15 minutes, it is often

classified as a grade 2 concussion. A visit to the doctor will

rule out anything serious. A longer break from rough

activities – usually a couple of weeks – is often

recommended.

But if your child becomes unconscious and is

unresponsive for any amount of time, this automatically

constitutes a grade 3 concussion. Your child should be

taken to the emergency room for immediate evaluation.

“Any time your brain is injured, you lose a reserve of

brain cells,” explained Dr. Rathke. “While kids and even adults sometimes think it’s ‘uncool’ to sit out after a

blow to the head, you have to do it to give your brain a chance to recover.”

Concussion: It’s More Common than You Think

AT LEAST ONE PLAYER SUSTAINS A MILDCONCUSSION IN NEARLY EVERY AMERICANFOOTBALL GAME.

D E D I C A T E D

C O N C U S S I O N C L I N I C

In conjunction with Raleigh

Neurology, WakeMed recently

opened a dedicated Concussion

Clinic on the WakeMed Raleigh

Campus. Under the leadership of

a pediatric neurologist, the team

includes occupational therapists,

physical therapists and speech

language pathologists. The Clinic

sees children ages 10 to 17 who

have recently had a sports-related

head trauma (within two weeks).

Its goals are to diagnose

concussions, provide follow-up

care for concussion patients, and

determine when it is safe for

athletes to return to play after

getting a concussion.

To make an appointment, call

919-350-4340.

4 F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 09

H O S P I T A L

H I G H L I G H Tz

WakeMed has a long history of

caring for the smallest infants

and critically-ill babies in its

Level IV Intensive Care Nursery

at the WakeMed Raleigh

Campus, the most experienced

and technologically advanced in Wake County. And now it

will be expanding by 12 additional beds for a total of 48 to

increase the number of babies it can care for.

When the new rooms are constructed, they will be built as

private rooms, which will allow parents to sleep in the room

and care for their hospitalized infants. Several of the new

private rooms will accommodate twins, triplets or more

multiples, which will further enhance the family experience.

“Currently, care in our ICN is provided to babies in pods,

which affords families more privacy than most ICNs and

enables us to better control the light and noise to which

premature infants are very sensitive,” commented Elizabeth

Rice, director of women’s and children’s services. “The new

private rooms will allow us to control and customize the

babies’ environment according to individual needs and also

improve our ability to provide more family-centered care.”

Future plans include transitioning the current 36 neonatal

beds to private rooms.

Currently, the ICN treats approximately 650 babies a year

and serves as a regional referral center. The staff consists of

neonatologists, perinatologists, nurse practitioners,

pediatric psychologists, child development specialists,

speech language pathologists, registered nurses and PhD-

level physical therapists. It is also home to the WakeMed

Mother’s Milk Bank, one of nine human milk donation

programs in the country and the only one in the Southeast.

The Intensive Care Nursery will be directly linked to the

Children’s Hospital that will be located on the fourth floor

of the new patient tower currently under construction on

the WakeMed Raleigh Campus. For more about the

WakeMed Children’s Hospital, see the back cover.

WA K E M E D ’ S I NT E N S I V E

C A R E NUR S E RY

Desiree Jones, RN, cares for one of the more than 650 babies treated each year in the ICN.

5A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S

During their first eight-week prenatal visit,

Ana and Abinadi Ehrisman received a

happy surprise. Twin boys. Planning

ahead, the couple selected names: Ben

and Cooper.

Month by month, happiness slowly ceded to concern as the

young couple learned during an 18-week visit that Ben was

2-1/2 weeks smaller than Cooper. Ben’s placenta – his home

in his mother’s womb – had begun to slowly leak, causing

Ben to grow at a much slower rate.

Medical staff at WakeMed’s ICN monitored the twins closely.

Finally at 25 weeks, Ana was admitted to the Women’s

Pavilion & Birthplace - Raleigh so she and the boys could

be monitored daily. Ana stayed in the hospital for four

weeks.

“While I was there, the doctors, nurses, and other medical

staff were like our second family. I toured the Intensive

Care Nursery and had a chance to see babies who were

born in a high-risk situation. It gave me comfort to see

how much care and attention these babies and their

families received from the ICN staff,” Ana recalled.

Finally at 29 weeks, the doctors felt the boys had reached a

critical juncture. Although Ben measured only 23 weeks, it

was time to welcome him into the world.

Abinadi recalled a night he describes as the most stressful of

his life. “It was very stressful when the doctors said they’d

have to deliver right away or both boys might die. The

doctors and nurses were concerned that Ben might be too

small for the ventilation equipment and tubes.”

A C-section was performed and the Ehrisman twins were

delivered.

When Ben was born, it took four hours to stabilize him. He

weighed only 1 lb., 3 oz., and was unable to breathe on his

own. He was jaundiced and had many other complications.

Cooper weighed 2 lbs. 13 oz.

“The first time we saw Ben, it was traumatic,” recalls Ana.

“Wires, lines, heart monitors, ventilators, tubes to drain

what was in his belly. The nurses were constantly taking

blood to check gasses to make sure Ben had the right balance

of oxygen. I remember the doctors telling me that for about

a month, Ben was the smallest baby in Wake County.”

Abinadi agrees, “Both boys were so fragile. Ben was so small

that my mom’s wedding ring fit on his shoulder.”

Cooper remained in the ICN for eight weeks; and Ben,

for 16.

Ana admits, “It is not a pleasant experience to have your babies

away from you while you and your husband are at home. But

everyone at the WakeMed ICN made it as comforting an

experience as possible. The nurses were always willing to take

my calls. I’d be up pumping in the middle of the night and I’d

call them. They always seemed delighted to hear from me. The

doctors and nurses went far and beyond to include me in

decisions about the boys. Even today, two years later, if I stop

by, the nurses ask about Cooper and Ben.”

How are these two boys doing today? They just celebrated

their 2nd birthday and are into what all 2-year-old little

boys are into – everything!

LEFT: Cooper, left and Ben Ehrisman; ABOVE:

Cooper, left, and Ben after being discharged from

the hospital.

C A R I NG FO R T H E S M A L L E ST BABY I N WA K E C OUNT Y

6 F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 09

T Y K E

B I T E SuIf you are like a growing number of parents

frustrated with unhealthy snacks after sports

games and practices, here’s food for

thought. That’s all about to change if Laura

Aiken has any say.

As director of Advocates for Health in

Action (AHA), Laura has been pushing to

implement healthy snack policies for kids’

sports organizations from the ground up.

AHA is a group of diverse organizations

and community members who are

shaping the environment throughout

Wake County so healthful eating and

physical activity are the way of life.

Here is an interview with Laura

about the growing interest in this

healthy snack initiative.

H O W D I D T H E H E A LT H Y

S N A C K I N I T I A T I V E G E T

S T A R T E D ?

Many health advocates and parents in

the Wake County area were tired of

feeling pressured to bring unhealthy

snacks and/or have unhealthy snacks

provided to their children after sports

games. A group of these parents

began to talk to others and decided to

make a change. They took their ideas

to local pediatricians, who applauded

the idea of advocating for healthy

snacks.

Advocates for AHA and the Wake

County Fitness Council began

working on the project. We worked

with physicians, nutritionists, health

educators and exercise physiologists to

develop healthy snack ideas.

W H A T I S T H E G O A L O F T H E

P R O G R A M ?

AHA and Wake County Council on

Health and Fitness experts evaluated

snacking habits of children

participating in sports in Wake

County. The groups determined that

snacks are rarely necessary before or after

practice. That’s because practices are

typically just before or immediately after a

meal. If a snack is necessary, the best choice

is a fresh fruit or veggie followed by

alternatives of dried fruit, no sugar-added

applesauce, or canned fruits packaged in

their own juice.

Our goal is for all youth-serving

organizations to implement a healthy

snacking policy so that kids are only eating

healthy snacks at practices and games.

H O W D O P A R E N T S

G E T K I D S O N B O A R D ?

Get the kids involved in selecting the snack

they would like to bring. Once the kids

expect the snack to be fruits or veggies, it

shouldn’t be an issue. Coaches and parents

can educate kids on the importance of

healthy snacks in good athletic

performance. Many pediatricians will be

distributing our information at well child

visits and sports physicals to help reinforce

the message.

H O W D O Y O U G E T O T H E R

P A R E N T S I N V O LV E D ?

The best thing that could happen would be

for the organization, coach or team parent

to make healthy snacks the expectation. If

policies are not adopted, it’s important for

the parents who really believe in this to be

firm and only bring healthy snacks. AHA

will continuously work with organizations to

help them make this policy.

The Healthy Snacking Project was

developed by AHA partners, the Wake

County Council on Health and Fitness, and

Community Care of Wake and Johnston

Counties. The Wake County medical

community has embraced this project and

several area physicians have signed a letter

endorsing it. For more information, visit

www.advocatesforhealthinaction.org.

H E A LT H Y S NACK DUT YInitiative Offers Parents, Coaches Snacking Alternatives

Fruit and water are always the best

snack choices for kids on the move.

Not only is grabbing fresh fruit and

water fast and easy, it’s cost effective,

too. Try these popular options:

>> Orange and apple wedges

>> Fresh peaches and pears

>> Dried fruit and raisins

>> Bananas, grapes and strawberries

>> Fruit cups (packed in juice) or

applesauce

>> Ice cold water - no need for sugar

packed sport drinks

I am your brain. feed me right.

I work hard all day...but especially hard at night.

I control your heart, your feelings, your lungs.I am even the one that allows you to run.When you spy a nest full of bees,

it’s my voice that insists you flee!

If you sometimes feel like you just can’t think,

give me a bluebe

rry smoothie to drink.

Eggs, walnuts, oatmeal, and fruitfortify me to give boredom the boot.

When you move your body and exercise

I get more oxygen, which helps make me thrive.

These tips can help me feel my best and help you ace all your tests.Because even while you sleep at nightYour brain is never ever at rest.

7A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S

K I D S F I R S Ttwinkle times

a r t i c l e s , g a m e s , p u z z l e s a n d a c t i v i t i e s j u s t f o r k i d s !

F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 09

K I D S F I R S T

8

s

T W I N K L E S A Y S

I love to exercise my brain. See if you canfind your way out of this tricky brain teaser.

S T A R T

E J Y N W E Y L Q Q R I H E Y

F R U I T J U I C E B A R G B

L P N V B U I P L R H X Y N Q

T O E X A F S P B X D S W A U

J K W A C V P N K U R I D R F

S L H F R A P K J W F U U O I

Z H B D A B W Z B I A Q B P Q

O Y B L A T Q G J Q A O P G V

A Z R N B S Y B F I Y G R D O

X Y A E P Q D O S C G N E K A

U N F O L S B K G F N A T U K

A Y U R T E L W Y U O D Z R X

O X L P T T C A A P R H E F C

L S L K A S P N Y O R T L O O

T O R R A C B A G E L V S U R

W O R D S E A R C H Circle the 10 healthy snacks.

apple, celery, pear, bagel, fruit-juice bar, pretzels, banana, low-fat

yogurt, carrot, orange T H E F O O D Q U I ZIt’s very important for your health to eat a balanced

diet. Eating the right mix of foods everyday helps you

grow strong and gives you lots of energy. See if you

know the answers to our healthy food quiz.

1. What is a dried grape called?

A. Raisin

B. Prune

C. Wrinkly

2. Apples, carrots and tomatoes belong

to which food group?

A. Milk and dairy

B. Fruit and vegetables

C. Meat and fish

3. How many portions of fruit and vegetables

should you eat every day?

A. 5

B. 3

C. 1

4. What color fruit and vegetables

should you eat to stay healthy?

A. Only the green variety

B. Only the red variety

C. Choose a mixture of

colors and varieties

M O N K E Y S E E Can you see the 12 things that are

different between these two cartoons?

I SPY, Ten circles and 6 sqaures. MONEKYSEE 2,Rows 3 and 4 are themirror images of each other. FOOD QUIZ (1) a; (2) b; (3) a; (4) c; (5) b; (6) a;(7) a; (8) b; (9) c. HANDWASHING MIX-UP:1. Wet hands 2. Soap 3. Wash for20 seconds 4. Rinse 5. Dry 6. Turn off water with paper towel

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S 9

M O N K E Y S E E 2Which two rows of monkeys are exact mirror images

of each other? See answer on page 8.

I S P YHow many circles can you find in the top puzzle?

How many sqaures do you see in the bottom

puzzle? See answer on page 8.

F I N I S H

5. Fruit and vegetables

are very good for you

because they contain

lots of:

A. Fat

B. Vitamins and minerals

C. Starch

6. Vitamin C is good for you and helps fight

against colds. It can be mostly found in:

A. Fruit and vegetables

B. Meat and fish

C. Chocolate and crisps

7. Which of these is a green vegetable?

A. Broccoli

B. Carrot

C. Turnip

8. Which one of the following is a citrus fruit?

A. Banana

B. Orange

C. Peach

9. What vegetable can make you cry when

it’s peeled?

A. Carrot

B. Potato

C. Onion

H A N D W A S H I N G M I X - U P These six steps to washing your

hands have gotten mixed-up. Can you put the steps in the proper order? Then color,

cut out and put on your bathroom mirror to remind you how to wash correctly. See

answers on page 8.

R I N S E

D R Y T U R N O F F WAT E Rwith paper towelS O A P

W E T H A N D SWA S H

for 20 seconds

pediatric neurologist

so meday I ’ d

l i keto

be

a…

som

ed

ay

I ’ dl i ke

tobe a…

meet Kevin Rathke, MD S p e c i a l t y

Child and Adolescent Neurology

P r a c t i c e

Raleigh Neurology

Ye a r s i n P r a c t i c e

Six

E d u c a t i o n

I completed medical school at theMercer University School of Medicine.I trained in pediatrics at the University of TennesseeChattanooga, then completed a fellowship in child andadolescent neurology as well as neurophysiology/epilepsy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

W h y I c h o s e c h i l d a n d a d o l e s c e n t n e u r o l o g y

I was interested in pediatrics and fascinated by the brain and seizures.

F a v o r i t e p a r t o f m y w o r k d a y

I just like working with the kids. They are so innocent anddidn’t do anything wrong to make themselves sick.

M y m o s t a m a z i n g e x p e r i e n c e a s a p h y s i c i a n

Having a child wake up after weeks of a coma and seizures andgo on to recover. It’s great to see them smile!

M y a d v i c e t o k i d s t h i n k i n g a b o u t a c a r e e r i n

n e u r o l o g y

The brain is really the last frontier…we understand a lot aboutthe rest of the body, but we still don’t know a lot about thebrain. There is still a lot to learn and explore!

F A M I L I E S F I R S T f a l l 0910

U S E Y O U R I M A G I N A T I O N !

Twinkle has been thinking about what he would be like if he were

a fruit or vegetable. What would you be like if YOU were a fruit or

vegetable? Use the space below to draw a picture of yourself as

your favorite fruit or veggie.

B R A I NFA C T S

• Your brain is made up of two halves that look like a soft, white,

wrinkly walnut.

• It is more powerful and faster than any computer in the world!

• Most of your thinking and sensing takes place in the top parts of the

brain.

• Your brain sends some messages automatically, like messages that tell your heart

to beat or your lungs to take in air and then push it out. It can even tell your

hands to fly in front of your face if you see something coming toward you,

like a ball.

• Your brain is linked to every part of your body by long, thin nerves that look like shiny

pieces of string. It sends messages through the nerves to tell your body what to do!

• Messages from different parts of your body travel to your brain very quickly. Some travel

248 miles an hour, which means a message goes from your knee to your brain in just

one-hundredth of a second! For example, when you bang your knee on the ground, it takes

less than a second to signal your brain that you’ve been hurt, and even less for you to yell,

“ouch!”

• Unlike cut or scraped skin, your brain cannot repair itself. Protect it in every way!

Your brain needs exercise just like your body. You can keep it healthy by:

• Working a crossword or Sudoku puzzle

• Memorizing the words to your favorite song or poem

• Quizzing your friends and have them quiz you

• Completing your homework every day – it will help you remember what you’ve learned in school!

• Writing or drawing with your opposite hand

Helmet SafetyS A F E K I D S

C O R N E R W

ADVISORY PANEL

Jerry Bernstein, M.D., Raleigh Pediatric Associates, PA

Janice Frohman, R.N., Administrative Director, WakeMed Emergency Services

Melissa Johnson, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist, WakeMed Faculty Physicians, Pediatrics/Neonatology

Courtney Mann, M.D., Medical Director, WakeMed Children’s Emergency Department

Elizabeth Rice, R.N., Director, Women's and Children's Services

Debra Z. Laughery, Vice President of Public Relations

Michele Jonczak, Editor

Leesa Brinkley, Design

Published by the WakeMed Public Relations Department. Call 350-8120 with comments or suggestions.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals3000 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27610

© WakeMed, 2009 Children’s

100 Piece Solar System Jigsaw PuzzleRecommended Ages: 6+ years

Price: $7.99

Kids of all ages (and their parents) will enjoy putting together

this durable 100-piece cardboard jigsaw puzzle. The finished

product features colorful planets, moons and asteroids.

Fishing Magnetic Puzzle GameRecommended Ages: 3+ years

Price: $9.99

This magnetic wooden puzzle will keep your child’s attention as

they work to catch the 10 colorful fish with the magnetic fishing

pole. Plus, it encourages hand-eye and fine motor development.

P A R E N TP I C K S p

At a loss on what to do when your child is home sick and needs to stay relaxed to

recover? These puzzles are sure to keep your child content while he spends the day

fighting a cold or flu. There is something for kids of all ages and interests at

www.melissaanddoug.com.

Bike helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. And,

with cool styles for every taste, it’s really not hard to get kids to wear their helmets,

especially if their pals and parents are wearing them, too. (Besides, it’s N.C. law for

anyone under 16 to wear one.)

What’s a little trickier is getting it to fit correctly. And just how often should they be replaced?

“It may take several adjustments, but make sure that your child’s helmet fits snugly and sits flat

on the top of his or her head. The bill of the helmet should only be about two finger lengths

above their eyebrow,” said Siobhan Davis, Injury Prevention Representative with WakeMed's

Injury Prevention program. ”If the straps appear tight in one area and loose in another, take the

time to get it right. Your child, depending on his or her age, should be able to snap it closed

without pinching their skin or causing a rash from rubbing.”

Davis suggests you check the fit regularly since children tend to go through regular growth

spurts. Be sure to purchase an approved helmet that has the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety

Commission) sticker of approval.

Any time your child crashes and the helmet takes the impact, it is advised that the helmet be

replaced. Older children don’t always report a fall, so inspect helmets regularly for cracked foam,

cracked plastic, and broken buckles. “It cannot protect your child if it is damaged,” added Davis.

And remember, if you and your family take a bike ride to the park, be sure to remind your child

to take off the helmet before hitting the jungle gym or climbing trees as it can get caught on

play equipment or limbs.

W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I T A L U P D A T E

The new WakeMed Children’s Hospital is

scheduled to open in spring 2010. The 45-bed

hospital will be located on the 4th floor of the

new patient tower currently under construction

on the Raleigh Campus, and will be Wake

County’s first dedicated Children’s Hospital.

It will enhance and expand services that

WakeMed can provide to children and

increase much needed in-patient beds. It will

feature an inpatient unit with all private,

kid-friendly rooms; a Pediatric Intensive

Care Unit; an observation unit for children

requiring less than a 24-hour stay; an

expanded Level IV Intensive Care Nursery;

and expanded surgical capabilities, new

technologies and additional pediatric sub

specialists. Amenities will also include

significantly larger rooms, in-room accommodations for parents in

the PICU, and teen and kid playrooms for patients. The hospital will

have a dedicated elevator direct to the fourth floor from the lobby of

the main hospital for increased privacy and security.

To support the new Children’s Hospital you can make a contribution

to the WakeMed Foundation Just For Kids Kampaign that will underwrite

this very important project. For more information about the

campaign, call 919-350-7656 or visit kids.wakemed.org

N E W S &N O T E Si

NonprofitOrganizationU.S. PostageP A I DRaleigh, NCPermit NO. 1307

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f Wa k e M e d C h i l d r e n’s Wa keMed 3000 New Bern Avenue Ra le i gh NC 27 610

A D D R E S S S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

We’re going on-line!We are in the process of transitioning Families First to an online

publication. To do so, we need your e-mail address so we can notify you when a new issue is released. Please send your name and e-mail address to FamiliesFirst@wakemed.org. All information

will be kept confidential.If you have any questions, please call 350-STAR.We hope you will join us on our journey online.

Home to the new Children’s Hospital, the new patient tower on the

WakeMed Raleigh Campus is progressing nicely.

K E E P I N G C O N N E C T E D• Follow us on Twitter @wakemedchildren

• Become a fan of WakeMed on Facebook

• Share your WakeMed story at

childrencantwait.org

Families First is a quarterly

newsletter for parents and kids

(under age 10) who belong to

the WakeMed Families

First Club. If you haven’t

already joined, send your

name and e-mail address to

FamiliesFirst@wakemed.org.

If your family has outgrown the

information provided by this

newsletter or you no longer wish

to receive it, please call us at

350-STAR.