Local Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Shares Back-to-School Tips

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GODFREY - As summer winds down, nurse practitioners like Lori Balchik, APRN, encourage caregivers to schedule back-to-school and sports physicals for their children.

Balchik is a pediatric nurse practitioner with OSF Medical Group in Godfrey. She noted that while it may seem early to schedule a physical, now is a good time to get your appointment on the books.

“The earlier that we get it done, the better,” she said. “We want them to get involved in their sports, but of course, if they’re not able to get [the physical] done in a timely manner, they may not be able to make those try-outs. I know it’s the middle of July, but we only have a few short weeks before we go back to school. So go ahead and pick up the phone and get that physical scheduled.”

Balchik explained that the State of Illinois requires physicals for kids who are entering kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade. But she usually sees her patients on an annual basis for a yearly physical, which she recommends. Athletes also must undergo sports physicals before each season.

She suggests scheduling an appointment early, especially because there will be a rush of caregivers trying to get their children in for physicals before school starts. But also, the extra time gives Balchik and her colleagues the chance to address any issues they may discover.

“It gives us time to make sure everything is okay with your child, whether it be an injury or an ailment or if they have uncontrolled asthma or things like that,” she said. “We can have follow-ups before we can actually clear them for sports or get certain tests done before they can be cleared for sports. It gives us a little bit of wiggle time.”

Before the school year starts, Balchik also suggests working with your child to reinstate a sleep schedule. She joked that she understands the challenge, as her own 8-year-old is eager to stay up late during summer vacation. She encourages caregivers to enforce a schedule in the weeks leading up to school starting.

“I understand summer is a different time and you allow that little bit of leniency with staying up late, but you don’t want it to wait until the weekend before going back to school to get them back on a sleep schedule,” she explained. “Start two or three weeks before school starts back and try to get them back on their normal schedule.”

OSF Medical Group can answer more questions about how to best prepare your child for the school year. Whether it’s a physical or mental health concern, the organization can help you take the next step. Balchik noted that they even have a counselor on staff in Godfrey who can help you manage crisis situations or get scheduled with a member of the OSF Psychological Services Department.

Balchik and her colleagues in the pediatrics group are always accepting new patients. If you are looking for a pediatrician, Balchik has a few suggestions for making sure you find the doctor who is best for you and your child.

“You want to make sure that you have that fit with them,” she said. “This is someone who you’re entrusting your child with emotionally, physically. You want to make sure that you just have a connection with that pediatrician. Sometimes taking the time to interview different pediatricians is always a good option too, because this is usually someone that they stick with from birth to 18 years of age. So make sure that you have that trust with them. This is your child, your baby.”

Balchik and her teammates understand this, and they are eager to help families across the Riverbend region get the support they need as they prepare to return to school. For more information about scheduling an appointment with Balchik or the pediatrics team with OSF Medical Group in Godfrey, call 618-467-1522.

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