One of the hardest things new mom Lynn Brenner had to learn was how to leave her baby’s side. But thanks to a new program at NorthBay Medical Center, loving arms were ready to hold baby Wyatt any time of the day or night. ABOVE: Baby Wyatt Brenner gets some loving cuddles from NorthBay Guild…
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NorthBay Healthcare Pediatrician Judy Yang, D.O., knows that when a doctor speaks, parents listen. That’s why she’s committed to using her powers of persuasion to get parents — and eventually their children — reading. And as Solano County’s first-ever medical director for the local Reach Out and Read (ROAR) program, she has the platform to do just that….
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Chances are that your children will spend a lot of time in the car with you so it’s very important to make sure they’re safely buckled into the right car seat, the right way, according to Gloria Renaud, unit clerk in NorthBay’s obstetric unit, below. She teaches Car Seat Safety to expectant parents, focusing on…
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From knowing how to safely tuck an infant into bed, to dealing with a bully in junior high, how are parents able to keep their children safe in this complicated world? Whether a child is 4, like Jemal Dyson, or 14, parents need to be ever watchful about their changing safety risks, says Dr. Gilbert…
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Dr. Gilbert Chang has noticed parents seem to be signing their children up for sports at earlier and earlier ages. “While it’s a great idea that helps promote a life-long interest in fitness, starting them off too early can lead to injuries.” He recommends that parents help their child find the right activity— whether it’s…
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Even before children begin crawling or walking, Dr. Gilbert Chang advises parents and caregivers to take steps to assure harmful items are out of reach, locked in cabinets or behind doors secured with a safety latch: In the laundry room or kitchen, put away cleaning products, such as bleach, dishwashing and laundry detergents (especially singleuse…
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NorthBay Helps Parents Take ‘Baby Steps’ Parents-to-be and new parents who might be a little nervous about those first three very important years of their child’s life now have a reassuring companion—Baby Steps by NorthBay. NorthBay Healthcare joined forces this summer with a Boston-based health technology company to deliver health education and support from pregnancy…
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When You Can’t Be There… Cameras Bring Baby Close Leaving your baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is always traumatic. Now, thanks to an innovative system called NICView webcam, parents can watch their baby almost 24/7 on their smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer. It’s an emotional roller coaster no parent wants to ride,…
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From Babies to Blood Pressure: Sim Lab Offers High-Tech Training After seven years and more than 700 births—including breach babies, C-sections and twins—Noelle, NorthBay Healthcare’s Simulation Lab mother, is finally retiring, reports Lacy DeQuattro, Simulation Lab program coordinator. Enter Noelle II, a real birthing machine, who literally can deliver on command, under a variety of…
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Kathy Teeter (left) and Heather Troutt, R.N., clinical manager of Women and Children’s Services, are grateful that generous donors helped purchase the CuddleCots to support grieving families. A baby’s birth is usually a time of joy and celebration, but on rare occasions life can be unexpectedly short and fleeting. Such was the case for Sofia…
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Life Coach “Joking Julie” Lyons (center) leads the Fairview Elementary School Girls on the Run team in a lesson on courage on the playground. About 16 girls and several adults sat on plastic mats in a circle on the playground at Fairview Elementary School one warm spring afternoon, listening intently to what “Joking Julie” had…
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Dr. Michael Ginsberg and a young patient. Anyone who’s seen children on a playground during recess knows physical activity comes naturally to the young. What might be less apparent is that obesity among children has grown dramatically in the past 30 years and that many are not getting the physical activity they need. The Centers…
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You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! Dr. Richard Bell checks up on Sharon Brown and 5-day-old baby Teagan in the NICU. It’s hard to imagine a time when Solano County didn’t have its bustling Interstate 80, and even harder to envision how and how far critically ill babies were transported before NorthBay Medical Center opened…
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Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Amber Barraclough, left, proudly show off son Liam to ABC Prenatal Program social worker Heidi Beck, and dietitian Melinda Scholten, four months after his birth. At 4 months old, Liam Barraclough glows with good health. The bright and happy baby is his mother’s reward…
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Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep Bruce Hewett, M.D., is anything but boring, yet he can help put your kids to sleep, if you give him a chance. That’s because the Vacaville pediatrician has made it his mission to help children—and frazzled parents alike—get a good night’s sleep. His advice is best shared via video….
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Trauma Team Delivers Dramatic Rescue It should have been one of the happiest days of Porsha Jenkins’ life. The 27-year-old mother of two reported to NorthBay Medical Center for a Caesarean section, her third “birth by appointment.” And for once, all the planets seemed aligned, according to her husband, Elvin. There was little traffic on…
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It looked like an acrobatic stunt went awry. Kelan Metzler-Pell, 5, was running on the playground at his Walnut Grove pre-kindergarten when he took a tumble and landed doing the splits. “At first it appeared to be a simple fall,” says his mother, Valerie Metzler, of Rio Vista. “But his pain didn’t go away and…
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Forward McKenna Sacca, 11, was lunging for a soccer ball during an indoor match in Vacaville with her team, Hysteria, when she fell head-first into the Plexiglas wall surrounding the field. Although she didn’t lose consciousness, it was a stunning blow, so her coach pulled her out. By the end of the game, McKenna seemed…
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Babies cry, gurgle and cough as a regular part of their growth and development. Parents soon learn what is normal and when they need to consult their pediatrician. However, some conditions develop quickly and need immediate care. That’s when a trip to your local emergency department is advised. “Parents should always err on the side…
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NorthBay Medical Center and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital receive more than 10,000 pediatric patients each year. Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury among children visiting the ED, according to emergency physician Seth Kaufman, M.D. That’s followed closely by motor vehicle accidents and bicycle/scooter accidents. By planning ahead, many of these and other childhood accidents…
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Busy, active children are naturally thirsty, but if you notice your child is consuming lots of liquids, making frequent trips to the bathroom and still complaining of thirst, take note, says Michael Ginsberg, M.D., pediatrician with NorthBay Center for Primary Care in Fairfield. If your child’s onset of increased thirst and frequent bathroom trips suddenly…
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By her own account, Alexandra O’Neal, 26, had everything going for her. A child of well-to-do parents, she was a student at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. But, one year ago, she had dropped out of college, was homeless, in jail, and estranged from her family. What could have led to such a…
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When a child is injured, it’s understandable that parental panic can set in. But take a deep breath, dial 9-1-1, and know that NorthBay Healthcare’s professional physicians and staff are ready to respond in a moment’s notice. Not only does our Level III Trauma Center at NorthBay Medical Center stand ready to help patients of…
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More than 9 million children visit Emergency Departments in the United States each year. Nationwide and at NorthBay Medical Center, the No. 1 reason is the same—fever, says Dr. Seth Kaufman, pediatric director for the Emergency Department. 1. Fever. While worrisome for parents, most fevers are just a sign that your child is fighting off…
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A visit to the emergency department can be a frightening experience for a child. Already ill or injured, they are suddenly in an unfamiliar place facing unknown equipment and procedures—including the dreaded needle prick. Now, new methods of pain control and hydration are helping emergency department physicians make treatment easier than ever for their youngest…
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Pediatric Hospitalist Chad Tarter, M.D., speaks with Aniah Sims of Suisun in the NorthBay Medical Center Emergency Department waiting room. Pediatric hospitalists are pediatricians who specialize in the care of children and well babies in the hospital. At NorthBay Medical Center, they are on-call 24 hours a day. “Pediatric hospitalists fill many different roles, depending…
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Emergency Department nurse Kristin Patterson tends to Santana Rivera, 13 months. The NorthBay Medical Center Emergency Department is seeking designation as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP). It would be the first in Solano County to achieve this new standard of care for children. Hospitals in other areas of the state consider it a…
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Tina Myers, clinical lab technician, checks out the stock in the new large-capacity blood refrigerator. NorthBay’s journey toward certification as a Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) has been helped with support from local foundations, businesses and individuals, such as the Solano Community Foundation. The foundation recently awarded NorthBay a $28,000 grant to purchase several…
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Sarah Ruffins was swept up in a dramatic dance to delivery when she went into labor with twin boys, almost three months too soon. Moments later, the Labor & Delivery team at NorthBay Medical Center jumped into action. They are trained to handle all situations, from birthing fire drills to the laboriously long and drawn…
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One year after a dramatic rescue from cardiac failure, 19-year-old Nichelle “Nickie” Fisher came back to NorthBay VacaValley Hospital—to say thank you. Accompanied by her mother, Dottie Mulligan-Fisher and a small army of family friends, Nickie set about sharing her gratitude—with certificates of appreciation, a spread of refreshments and lots of heart-felt hugs in the…
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Rare Disease Threatens Toddler’s Life Dana Aleman was beside herself with worry. Her 3-year-old son Levi was running a high fever. His dark brown eyes were bloodshot. Her active little boy was shockingly listless and would no longer eat or drink. Although she had checked in with a doctor two days earlier, she and her…
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Victor enjoys time reading books with his parents, Tyffany and Peter Wanberg. Sometimes the missing ingredient in a child’s health and well-being is simply love and patience. —Dr. Matthew Heeren The odds were stacked heavily against a frail Victor Wanberg. He was born at a healthy 7.6 pounds, but two months later he was below…
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As her parents watched in horror, the family dog attacked 4-year-old Aaliyah Burrell, pinning her to the ground and tearing at her face. The April evening had started peacefully, with the Burrell children asking to play outside after dinner. But in an instant, everything changed. The children’s romp with their dog turned vicious. Alerted by…
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NICU Nurse Jeannette Fegan welcomes former patients during last year’s reunion. The 26th Annual NorthBay Medical Center NICU reunion is Saturday, November 5, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This year’s event is a fall festival and will be held at the NorthBay Healthcare Administration Building in Green Valley. All NICU graduates and their families are…
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Even the most stalwart parents of pre-teen adolescents can become tongue-tied and knock-kneed at the thought of having “The Talk.” At times like that, it’s nice to know that Alina Hongsakaphadana, M.D., is in your corner, ready to lead the discussion, or provide support if needed. “There’s no doubt it’s a difficult conversation for some…
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Would you wait six months to ask your auto mechanic about that check engine light? Probably not. The same applies to red flags parents may see regarding their child’s overall health or development. Parents can ask about any concerns they may have regarding their child’s health when they take him or her to a “well…
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Immunizations Offer Protection Against Childhood Diseases Parents protect their children in myriad ways. They buckle them into car seats, strap on helmets before letting them ride a bike, and make sure all their immunizations are current. “Immunizations are important to prevent very serious diseases,” says Michelle Church, M.D., pediatrician at NorthBay Center for Primary Care…
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Holly McKee, right, and her daughter, Madyson, visit with ABC Clinic educator Kathie Thoming, left, and counselor Heidi Beck. Baby Madyson glows with good health as she sits on mom Holly McKee’s lap in the NorthBay ABC (A Baby’s Coming) Clinic in Fairfield. Just 2 months old, she doesn’t know she inspired her mom to…
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NorthBay Healthcare employees brought holiday joy to more than 1,000 local children during their annual Adopt-a-School program and ABC Clinic Holiday Party. This year, NorthBay adopted 57 classrooms at Fairview Elementary School in Fairfield and Padan Elementary School in Vacaville. Each class received the holiday gifts and parties requested by their teachers. More than 200…
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A kinder, gentler way to care for babies with respiratory distress syndrome… In the high-tech world of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a simple and innovative procedure has babies breathing easier and avoiding the complications that can arise from spending time on a ventilator. “In a sense we’ve stepped back in time to a…
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A “Jungle Adventure” awaited the many graduates of North-Bay Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their families Saturday, Aug. 21, as the annual reunion celebrated the unit’s silver anniversary. More than 200 people filled the NorthBay Healthcare Administrative Center in Green Valley to enjoy games, crafts and a barbecue while renewing friendships with…
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Every year, hundreds of thousands of infants around the world die in the first moments of life because they are choking to death. What makes this tragedy worse, says Richard Bell, MD, neonatologist and medical director of NorthBay Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is that these deaths are so easily preventable. Many of these…
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When Debra Amos-Terrell and William “Will” Antipuesto picked up the microphone to kick off the first annual Run for Good on April 18, they held the memory of Fairfield City Councilman Matt Garcia in their hearts. They had met the young councilman in a Fairfield Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Today” program where, together with the…
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The nation’s beleaguered economy has caused a seismic shift at Children’s Network, says NorthBay Healthcare’s Director of Accreditation and Licensure, Mary Dickey. As president of the Children’s Network Board of Directors since 2005, Mary has seen the number of needy families skyrocket in recent years, with job losses and home foreclosures. It makes her work…
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Solano County has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in California, according to Chad Tarter, MD, a pediatric hospitalist at NorthBay Medical Center. That’s why he has recently started working with the Solano Asthma Coalition (SAC), an organization that is teaming with Community Action to Fight Asthma (CAFA). CAFA is a California-based network…
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Jesse Dominguez, MD, remembers the first day he met plastic surgeon Angelo Capozzi. He’d just started as an anesthesiologist at NorthBay Medical Center in 1995 when Capozzi started ordering him around. He thought he was intimidating and pushy, Dr. Dominguez recalls with a chuckle. It wasn’t until much later he learned that behind a brash…
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