Parents:

11/5/2021 Office Update:

Please know that when you call our office it is our goal to help you the best that we can. Sometimes, there can be stumbling blocks and matters that may not be ideal. We are working hard to make sure our patients get the care they need with the utmost respect and urgency. Please as you call in or visit, know we are busy this time of year and sometimes we might not be able to help as quickly as we would have previously. We understand your frustrations during these times, but ask that you treat us just as you would want your family to be treated. Yelling, verbal abuse, vulgar language is not called for and will not be tolerated. We thank you all for your continued support and look forward to helping you all through this year and hopefully into a brighter 2022. If you have any questions or concerns, you are more than welcome to contact me here. 

Joshua – Office Manager

11/10/2021: NY Covid19 Vaccination Registration -   http://vaccineform.health.ny.gov/

Covid Questions and Answers:  Covid Vaccine Q & A

11/2/2021: COVID VACCINE:

We will be offering the COVID vaccine for children 5-11 yrs. of age soon. We have not received our shipment and are unsure of the exact date at this time. Please watch our page for updates. We are not currently scheduling appointments, nor taking a list of patients interested. We apologize that the media has made it seem as if it were available already. We will certanly offer it as soon as possible!

Additionally, it will be a 2 dose series, approximately 3 weeks apart. Also, children will need to wait 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.

10/4/2021: UPDATED CHECKIN INFORMATION:

Effective 10/4/21, we would like to ask that whenever possible, only one parent attend their child’s appointment due to the increase of COVID cases/exposures. For newborns, we will allow 2 healthy parents up and through the 2 month well visit. We prefer that no other siblings/children come to the office if possible. If your child has been ill and is scheduled for a well visit, we ask that you call ahead to see if you should reschedule. If your child has been tested and is pending COVID test results, or if your child has been exposed, we ask that you reschedule your appointment as well. Additionally, we want to remind parents that we are still enforcing mask wearing whenever you are in the office (including in the exam rooms). We appreciate your consideration of this request and our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Please follow our Facebook @summerwoodpediatrics for more up dated information.

2/22/21: It is now an office policy that if you need to obtain a form or document electronically, you must have an active patient portal for us to send it to you. If you do not currently have access to you child's portal, please call the office for details. Thank you!

We now offer telemedicine appointments! For more info....

6/21/21: EMAIL POLICY

Effective July 1st, 2021 we will no longer be emailing medical information from the office. All information requested will need to be either picked up, faxed (with proper release on file) or submitted to the patient portal. If you need portal activation information, please contact the office. Additionally, the release to share information with schools, daycares, camps, etc. is now available to be filled out electronically through our website (www.summerwoodpediatrics.com). It can be found under the Patients tab, under Forms (Third Party release).
Thank you!

A Letter from Dr. Dracker  - dated 11/19/2021

Dear Parents and Children

Thanksgiving has always been the start of the Christmas Season to me ever since childhood. It was always a time that I enjoyed as a long weekend off from school, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City and a holiday that I could spend with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was always held at my grandparent’s house, even though there was never enough room for all of us, yet we all enjoyed the closeness and togetherness regardless. Being the oldest grandchild on my mother’s side of the family, my grandfather always enjoyed the fact that we shared likes for certain foods that no one else seemed to enjoy. He loved making me chestnuts which he roasted in a blackened perforated pie tin, and he liked having me taste his strong red wine which he made the prior fall, regardless of my age. My father and uncles later played cards (pinochle) late into the evening, while all of the kids watched the ritualistic Thanksgiving evening shows. Back then, my father and uncles and grandfather became boisterous as they played cards with poker chips, smoking cigarettes, and drinking beer, not to excess, images which I can remember like yesterday. It is funny how it makes me tear up to remember those very simple times and experiences.

Thanksgiving to me has been an important time to remember how fortunate I have been to be able to care for children and to make a difference in some of their lives. It is a holiday, rooted in giving thanks to God, regardless of religion, for our families, our sustenance and for the reality of the world we live in. Ignoring eccentric claims of conspiracy theories and beliefs, we have been living through a very difficult time that has demonstrated the power and ability of science and medicine. We have witnessed the unselfish caring by people and healthcare workers throughout the world who have supported those in need. Despite the masks, and the distancing, our social nature and love for each other will always endure and overcome the harmful and negative biases of those who view the world in a darkened manner. I hope we can enjoy our collective Thanksgiving together and remember those less fortunate. You may want to ask your children what the poem, “Mary Had A Little Lamb” has in common with the holiday. The national holiday officially dates back to 1863 as a result of a proclamation made by President Lincoln upon the recommendation of a very noble and strong female activist! The answer can easily be found on Google!

Now for some updates: We have started our COVID vaccine clinics for children between the ages of 5 and 11 which have gone extremely well. As I have mentioned, children in this age range have demonstrated excellent immune responses to the vaccine with minimal side effect, other than mild injection site soreness. We continue to actively encourage you to also have your child receive influenza vaccines. There have been pockets of influenza noted throughout the country which may become more prevalent during and after the holidays. Please call the office to check on available clinic appointments As I mentioned, I look forward to this crazy and stressful time of the year during which time we need to remain focused on the enjoyable nature of Christmas and our optimistic hopes for the New Year. I will keep you updated with any new information and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and stay safe!

Sincerely, 

Dr. Dracker