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Get to know Dr. Pinnelas, a pediatric hospitalist

Over 20 years ago, I began my career in Orlando as a private pediatrician. I was very happy as an office-based pediatrician, and I never dreamed I would have changed my career path. I always enjoyed making hospital rounds before going back to the office for the rest of the day. I also had an opportunity to teach students and residents at the hospital which was intensely rewarding. The hospital approached me over 14 years ago and asked if I would be willing to start something “new” which was to create the Pediatric Hospitalist Service at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Becoming a pediatric hospitalist was a very new specialty in the United States. It had just started to gain some traction in the adult patient population but was rare in pediatrics. I was game, so with my best friend and mentor, Matthew Seibel and two of the best nurses on planet earth, we founded this new venture.

So what is a pediatric hospitalist?

Is your child ready to be potty trained?

Written by Erika Diogene, DO

What about me? Providing support to siblings during a hospitalization

March is National Child Life Month. As a Certified Child Life Specialist in the NICU, I find this month quite exciting. It is a time for Specialists to continue to spread awareness of the need for patient education and support during trying times in the hospital, and most importantly, we celebrate the importance of play! But, patients are not the only family members that Child Life Specialists serve. We also provide education and support to siblings. Regardless of age, siblings can struggle throughout a child’s hospitalization for various reasons, and it is important to recognize ways that they can feel supported and have an understanding of what is going on with their brother or sister in a way that makes sense to them.

3 steps to change your kids’ picky eating habits

When it comes to getting picky eaters to expand their horizons, parents’ opinions are as varied as the vegetables their kids won’t eat. Every parent seems to have a philosophy on the “picky eater problem” but let’s be honest, we have no idea if the principles we adhere to really work. Well, here’s some good news for every parent struggling with the age-old problem of how to handle finicky eaters.

How (and why) to teach your child about mindful eating

Mindful eating is eating with full awareness; it engages all the five senses (touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound) so we are able to have more enjoyment out of our food. By using all of our senses, one is able to appreciate all the characteristics of the food that is being offered. Mindful eating helps provide insight into what is making someone want to eat. Through mindful eating, one can experience the joy of food without the feeling of guilt and judgment from oneself.

Is it okay to drink alcohol while pregnant?

A new report from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in every 10 pregnant women has consumed alcohol within the last 30 days.

Four Reasons not to be a Helicopter Parent

You’ve probably heard the stories of parents calling college presidents, yes, presidents of colleges, to complain about issues their college students are having. It can be something as petty as a roommate is leaving old takeout food on the dresser to a professor grading “unfairly,” according to the student.

How to help a child through the transition of divorce

Divorce is an event that can cause a great deal of trauma and stress to a child’s life. Children may often question if the divorce is their fault or if there is more they could have done to keep their family together. While adults can understand the context and reasoning behind a divorce, children often do not, and likely may come up with their own versions of what they feel went wrong. Many times, the main thing a child sees is that the two most important people in his or her life will no longer live under the same roof, and this can cause them much confusion and distress.

Stress vs. Clinical Anxiety and How to Spot the Difference

Many factors may be contributing to the rise in anxiety disorders among children and adolescents — the information influx of digital media for one, but also earlier diagnosis. Recognizing the problem is the first step in helping your child if they are indeed suffering from anxiety. Because parents and adult caregivers are often the first to spot signs, knowing what to look out for is crucial. 

Is It Grief or Depression? How to Tell the Difference

Grief is a common, expected experience as a child or teenager processes difficult life circumstances. Depression, however, is a mood disorder that can be prolonged and serious. Because depression left untreated can be harmful and lead to suicidal or other risky behaviors, recognizing the difference between the two is vital.