Healthy Weight, Diabetes and Your Child

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By Troy Nelson, MD, medical director and pediatrician

Healthy Weight, Diabetes and Your Child

Contents:

Did you know November is American Diabetes Month?  According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and more than seven million of those people are undiagnosed. About 210,000 Americans under age 20 are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes: Diagnosed at Younger Ages

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5-10% of diabetes cases in the United States.  Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults.

Type 2 Diabetes: Increasing Pediatric Cases

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and is generally diagnosed in middle age or older.  However, the incidence is on the rise in children, because more children are becoming obese.  Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of age.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Children

Your child may develop type 2 diabetes so gradually that there are no noticeable symptoms. Sometimes, the disorder is diagnosed during a routine check-up, which is why regular well-child exams are important.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes in your child may include:

• Blurry vision
• Darkened areas of skin, especially around the neck and armpits
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors in Children

• Age and sex: Many children develop type 2 diabetes in their early teens. Adolescent girls are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than are adolescent boys.
• Family history
• Inactivity
• Overweight, especially in the abdomen
• Pre-term birth (before 39-42 weeks)
• Race or ethnicity: Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian American people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes

Preventing and Managing Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes

You can help decrease the risk of your child getting type 2 diabetes as well as help manage it if your child has been diagnosed.

• Get an annual well-child exam with your child’s pediatrician or family medicine provider.
• Eat healthy foods as a family; encourage your child to participate in meal planning and preparation.
• Ensure your child gets plenty of physical activity; identify activities you can do as a family, like hiking or walking the dog.
• Help your child maintain a healthy weight.

DMG includes pediatric and young adult providers, pediatric and adult endocrinologists and other medical specialists to support your child and your family. We are committed to educating you and your child and developing treatment plans to optimize your child’s health and long-term wellness.

 

Supporting Your Kids through Holiday Stress

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by Melissa Meyer, PMHNP-BC, DNPfamily at Christmas

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The holidays are a time of peace, love, joy and family, but it’s also a time where schedules are irregular, routines are disrupted, meals are heavier, and sugar abounds.  For children of all ages, these changes can be difficult; if the child has depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, attention deficit disorder (ADHD) or other emotional or behavioral health challenges, the holidays can compound the issue.

Did you know?

  • Depression and anxiety: According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, about 1.9 million children ages 3 to 17 years have been diagnosed with depression, and 4.4 million have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
  • ADHD: Nearly 6.1 million kids ages 2 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology.

If your child suffers with emotional or mental health issues, here’s some tips to help you child and your family decrease the stress and impact of the holidays:

  • Communicate plans: With each activity or outing, let the child know what will be happening ahead of time- who will be there, how long you will be staying, what food to expect, etc.  Knowing what will be happening will help decrease anxiety.
  • Share feelings: If you are feeling stressed, tired or anxious, share your feelings with the child.  They will take comfort in knowing that even adults get nervous and stressed during the holidays.
  • Maintain a sleep schedule: Everyone in the family will benefit from a good night’s rest, especially children. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, kids with mental health issues need adequate sleep; for teens, 8 to 10 hours per night is recommended.
  • Manage screen and device time: When adults are busy, it’s easy for children of all ages to occupy themselves with television, video games and social media. However, too much “technology time” has proven to negatively impact sleep, as well as contribute to depression.
  • Keep medication schedules: If a child takes medication, ensure they continue to take it at the same time each day.
  • Watch sugar intake: Help keep the child’s diet balanced with regular nutritious meals, and limit sweets and sugar-filled drinks, especially before bedtime.

Most importantly, be aware of the child’s mood and listen to them.  Your child or teen may need some downtime in between the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  Allow time in the family’s schedule for everyone to decompress, so each member of your family can enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

What’s the Connection between Healthy Weight and Diabetes?

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By Brett Willden, DO, family medicine physician

overweight family near the water

Contents:

Did you know November is American Diabetes Month?  According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and more than seven million of those people are undiagnosed.  

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, and in both cases, healthy weight management is important.  However, why weight management is important is different.

Type 1 Diabetes 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5-10 percent of diabetes cases in the United States.  Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults.

Like type 2, increased thirst and urination are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes.  Undiagnosed or untreated, type 1 diabetes can cause weight loss.  

Unlike type 2, developing type 1 diabetes is not related to being overweight, but keeping a healthy weight is important. Too much fat tissue can make it hard for insulin to work properly, leading to both higher insulin needs and trouble controlling blood sugar.

Type 2 Diabetes 

Type 2 diabetes is the most common and is generally diagnosed middle age or older.  Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of age.  As well, if you have type 2 diabetes, weight gain complicates the condition as it makes blood sugar levels even harder to control.

Healthy Weight Management

Many primary care providers (PCP) treat patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions, as well as help patients understand how to live a healthy lifestyle to decrease their risks of diabetes and other diseases.  Our goal, as PCPs, is to identify treatment plans that are achievable based on the patient’s lifestyle.  Talk with your PCP about identifying a weight loss program that’s right for you, your lifestyle, and weight loss goals.  And remember, weight management is a long-term lifestyle- not a short-term fix.

What is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

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By Linda Thunn, DPT, physical therapist

young child receiving physical therapy

Did you know October is National Physical Therapy Month?  Each year during October, DMG’s pediatric physical therapy team has supported the Spina Bifida Association of Arizona through their annual Walk-N-Roll® fundraiser. We’re passionate about serving patients in- and outside of clinics.

What do pediatric physical therapists do?

Pediatric physical therapists work with children from birth to 21 years old and provide support and education to the patient’s family. Young patients may need physical therapy due to severe injury or require ongoing physical therapy due to developmental disabilities. Our goal is to develop, restore and/or improve mobility to enhance quality of life for the child and their family.

Pediatric physical therapy benefits children and their families and/or caregivers by promoting activity and participation in everyday routines, increasing functional independence, improving strength and endurance, facilitating motor development and mobility and easing the challenges of daily caregiving.

Pediatric physical therapists may also perform equipment evaluations, trialing each child in specialized equipment before ordering it to determine what works best. Types of equipment evaluations provided include:

  • Adaptive seating
  • Adaptive car seats
  • Forearm crutches
  • Gait trainers
  • Standers
  • Walkers
  • Wheelchairs

 

Detecting Breast Cancer Early

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By Faith Cutrona, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner

happy group of people in front of brick wall

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a primary care provider and woman, sharing information to help women understand the importance of early detection is the most important care I provide.  The more each patient is educated, the greater the chance that she will get regular exams so breast cancer- or another disease- can be caught early.

Did You Know?

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer……

  • Is the second most common cancer in women in the United States. The first is skin cancer. The average risk of a woman developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13 percent.
  • Typically has no symptoms when the tumor is small and most easily treated.
  • Impacted approximately 268,000 women in 2019.
  • Risk increases with age.
  • Survival rate drops to less than 30 percent if the cancer has spread (aka “metastasizes”) outside of the breast to other organs in the body.

Early Detection: What You Need to Do

Remember, if detected early, the breast cancer survival rate greatly increases.  Women who get breast cancer screenings decrease their chance of dying from breast cancer by 30 percent.  Breast cancer screening saves lives, and getting an annual mammography is the single most important thing a woman can do to lessen her chances of dying from breast cancer. Mammography can detect cancer at early stages before a lump can be felt or symptoms are experienced.  

An annual mammography is recommended for women age 40 and older and may be recommended sooner if the patient has had cancer or if a history of cancer is in the family.  Understanding and sharing your complete family medical history with your primary care provider (PCP), therefore, is critical.  In addition to annual mammography, your PCP will also recommend you do self-exams of your breasts at-home and can help you understand how to do these exams.

Screening Mammography: What to Expect

A breast screening are also called  a “screening mammogram,” which is the type of mammogram ordered when the patient has no symptoms and/or signs of changes in breast tissue.  A mammography is a fast procedure (about 20 minutes), and discomfort is minimal for most women. During a mammography, a low-energy x-ray is used to examine the breast for early signs of breast cancer.  The small amount of radiation the patient is potentially exposed to is so small that the benefits outweigh the risk.

3D mammography is being used increasingly, especially for women with dense breast tissue. FDA-approved, 3D mammography takes pictures of thin “slices” of the breast from different angles, and computer software is used to reconstruct an image.  In contrast, a standard mammography takes a single image.

Changes in the Breast: What Next?

If changes in one or both breasts are detected, a diagnostic mammogram will be ordered.  Changes in breast include:

  • Changes in skin texture of the breast
  • Inversion in the nipple
  • Nipple discharge
  • Pain in the breast
  • Palpated lump

If breast cancer is detected early, a mastectomy or total breast removal can be avoided.  Localized cancers can be managed through other treatments, which may include a lumpectomy, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

The key is early detection.  Schedule your annual exam with your PCP today, and include breast screenings in your wellness plan.

Healthy Aging: Tips for Your Health

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By Lauren Lambert, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner

couple running the forest

Contents:

First introduced when baby boomers began turning 50, September is Healthy Aging Month.  While September marks “back-to-school” for children, we adults can use this time to learn some new lessons to support our overall health and wellbeing.

As a primary care provider (PCP), I support the health and wellbeing of adult patients, and each patient is different.  However, one thing remains the same: our health is dependent on physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.  Here’s some tips to support each of these areas for healthy aging.

Preventive medical exams

Stay on top of your annual wellness exams and screenings.  As we age, the types of screenings recommended change and include:

  • Diabetes testing: Begins at age 45 and should be completed every three years
  • Colon cancer screening: Should begin no later than age 50 and be done every five years
  • Osteoporosis screenings: Should start no later than age 65
  • Blood pressure readings: Should be taken annually, beginning at age 45
  • Vision and balance: To prevent falls resulting in hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries or even death, both your vision and balance should be checked at least annually.

For all the above, if you have a personal or family history, your physician may recommend tests or screenings begin earlier or be done more frequently.

Physical activity

Staying active is exercise for your body and brain and helps reduce stress.

  • Exercise: Exercise daily. Choose an activity you like so you look forward to doing it.
  • Balance: Identify an activity that helps you maintain balance and flexibility, like yoga, to decrease your risk of falls.  Your PCP can also provide exercises to improve your balance.

Socialize

See old friends as well as make new ones; socializing is great for the brain and supports emotional wellbeing.  In addition, you may find others with whom to enjoy exercising and new activities.

  • Volunteer: Most of us have a ton of life experience, which can enrich the lives of others. Find a cause that speaks to you and volunteer your time and skills to help others.
  • Play cards or board games: Games keep our minds sharp and provide a great way to socialize and meet new people.

Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is important throughout our lives.  As we get older, ensuring we get enough sleep- but not excessive- is important to refresh our bodies and minds.

Prostate Cancer Awareness

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By Richard Fowler, MD, internal medicine physician – updated May 22, 2025

prostate cancer awareness

Contents:

In 2025, more than 310,000 men in the United States are estimate to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and approximately 19% will die from it.  Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer-related cause of death among men.  To raise awareness and early detection, September is designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Four facts about prostate cancer:

  1. Prostate cancer is typically slow-growing, making early detection more likely if the patient sees his physician for regular exams and screenings.
  2. Older men are more likely to get prostate cancer. About 60% of cases are in men age 65 and older.
  3. African-American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white or Hispanic men; Asian men have a lower risk.
  4. Major risk factors are genetics and family history. Studies examining the link between prostate cancer and a diet high in red meat, chemical exposures including smoking, sexually transmitted infections and having had a vasectomy have produced conflicting results.

Screening

The American Cancer Society recommends that at age 50, men discuss the risks and benefits of screening with their physician.  African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should have this discussion at age 40-45.  Screening includes two tests one of which is a blood test and the other a digital rectal exam.

Symptoms

Early stage prostate cancer may cause few or no symptoms.  As this cancer progresses and tumors grow, symptoms may include:

  • Blood in the urine or semen
  • Difficulty getting an erection
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Pain in the lower back and hips

As the cancer spreads and/or metastasizes, other symptoms, like bone pain, may occur.  Treatment is dependent on the stage of the cancer and may include medications, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and/or other options.

Talk with your primary care provider for more information on prostate cancer and your risks.

Newborn Screenings: What You Need to Know

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By Troy Nelson, MD, medical director and pediatrician

Newborn Baby

Did you know September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month?  Newborn screening allows identification and treatment of a disease before symptoms even emerge.  A newborn may appear healthy but still have a serious condition that cannot be seen.  If left untreated, these conditions can lead to slow growth, blindness and/or intellectual disability and may be life threatening. Early detection and treatment can help prevent these serious problems, which is why newborn screenings are critical.

Based on published research by Dr. Robert Guthrie in 1963, newborn screenings have evolved with newborns now being screened for more than 25 conditions within days of birth; screenings involve just a few drops of blood.  According to the National Institute of Health, newborn screening detects a treatable condition in about 1 in 300 babies born each year, a total of about 12,500 cases each year. In Arizona, approximately 100 babies annually are found to have a serious condition identified through newborn screening.

Providers in Arizona are required by law to order newborn screening tests for all newborns.  Arizona requires newborns to be screened twice to help ensure accuracy, as some conditions are easier to detect on a subsequent screen.  In addition, approximately 98% of all infants born in Arizona are screened for hearing loss prior to hospital discharge.  The first screening sample will be taken before the newborn leaves the hospital and the second will be taken between 5-10 days after birth or at the first well-baby visit, whichever comes first. For those newborns born at home, the healthcare provider present at the birth will collect the first screen.

DMG includes pediatricians that do newborn screenings and identify other medical specialists, as needed, to provide specialized treatment for a variety of pediatric conditions detected during screening. With early detection, intervention and treatment, your baby can thrive to the maximum of their abilities.

UV Safety for Motorcyclists

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By Ivan Filner, DO, family medicine physician

Dr. Fillner on a MotorcycleAnyone who knows Dr. Filner knows that when he is not caring for patients, he can be found riding his Harley. In Arizona, we are fortunate to have many great months for long rides due to Arizona having more sunny days (85-90 percent per year) than almost all other states. In fact, we have more sunny days per year than California and Florida.

Have you ever heard the saying, “For every strength, there is a weakness?” This “law of opposites” applies to our good fortune in having so many sun-drenched days. The downside is more exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can result in premature aging of the skin and worse- skin cancer. Even on sunny days in winter, UV rays are just as harmful.

As a motorcycle rider, we wear protective gear from head-to-toe, so why would we need to worry about excessive UV ray exposure? Even with a full face helmet, parts of the face- primarily the nose, cheeks and lips- are exposed for longer than you think…long enough to put you at risk of a severe sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma.

Fortunately, protecting yourself from dangerous UV rays while riding is easy. Follow these tips year-round to ensure you’re riding for a long time to come.

1. Protect your face, neck, ears, and other exposed skin

Carry a small tube of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more in your jacket pocket, tank bag or panniers, and re-apply every two hours during your ride. If your sleeves do not quite meet your gloves, put sunscreen on your wrists.

2. Shield your lips

As your lips are also vulnerable to skin cancer, use a lip balm with an SPF of 30 (but no less than 15) and, like sunscreen, reapply throughout your ride.

3. Safeguard your eyes

Did you know melanoma can occur in your eyes? While they may be a bit more expensive, choose sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV protection, or UV 400 protection.

4. Protect the back of your neck

In addition to sunscreen, a light neck sock with an SPF rating is a good way to protect the back of your neck (and parts of your face), especially for sports bike riders who are bent over.

When many of us stop during our ride, we take off some gear, leaving more of our skin exposed to the sun. Be certain to apply sunscreen to those areas. A sunburn and/or the start of melanoma only take minutes, especially when in direct sun during our beautiful Arizona days.

Innovative use of EMR helps identify more Make-A-Wish kids

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Make-A-Wish Arizona, the local chapter of the international wish-granting organization, and District Medical Group (DMG), a Phoenix-based non-profit medical group comprised of more than 650 providers across medical specialties, are piloting a unique referral process to increase life-changing wish opportunities for eligible children receiving care at DMG Children Rehabilitative Services (DMG CRS) in Phoenix.

The “Medical Champions” program was created by DMG using their electronic medical records (EMR) system to better identify and track children with critical illnesses who would qualify for a wish experience. Read more

Engaging Children with Spina Bifida for Increased Mobility

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By Linda Thunn, DPT, physical therapist

CRS partners with SBAAZ to encourage best mobility in young patients

SCOOOT provides an early experience of independence for kids with mobility challenges. It frees them to explore their home, play, chase and race friends and siblings without any help. Expert clinicians, designers and engineers worked hard to create a device that will help kids discover new skills as well as new pals. The potential for physical and cognitive development was a key factor in every element of the design.

Spina Bifida Association of Arizona Inc. (SBAAZ), an organization committed to enhancing the lives of those affected by spina bifida in Arizona, was awarded a grant from the PayPal Gives Corporate Advised Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The grant was recommended by PayPal’s employee-volunteer led Chandler, AZ GIVE Team.

The SCOOOT program idea was presented to the SBAAZ by CRS’s Myelomeningocele Planning Clinic Lead Physician Pamela S. Murphy, MD, FAAP. The program was coordinated by Sharri Runnels, executive director of the SBAAZ, along with SBAAZ board member Linda Thunn, PT, DPT who is also the Myelomeningocele Planning Clinic physical therapist at CRS.

The CRS Myelomeningocele Planning Clinic occurs every Friday, and they see approximately seven patients for all day clinic, visiting up to 13 different providers, having blood work drawn, and if necessary they will get casted for their orthotics and/or have X-rays. SBAAZ provides lunch and signs people up for their medical alert bracelets. Free Arts of AZ is there for the kids to create projects at lunch time.

The SCOOOT program involves readiness assessments, equipment placement, activities and progress checks that will empower ‘toddlers’ to keep pace with their siblings and peers as they establish a sense of mastery over their world. The mobility device, resembling a toy more than a piece of medical equipment, allows children to reach items from the floor, ambulate, and enter/exit the seat safely at will.

“CRS is a great partnership for SBAAZ as we are able to share resources with clients and assess needs over lunch with families that are served by the fantastic care team brought together by District Medical Group,” stated Runnels, “SBAAZ is very grateful for the relationship with DMG and wanted to share the first SCOOOT placement with their staff as they pour so much into the kiddos!”

Spina bifida (Myelomeningocele) is a birth defect in which the spinal canal and the backbone don’t close before the baby is born. This type of birth defect is also called a neural tube defect.

The SCOOOT Earliest Mobility Program kicked off was on Friday, November 10, 2017 with placements being made at the CRS Myelomeningocele Planning Clinic.

Make-A-Wish Arizona and District Medical Group to increase wishes for kids

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018 – Hollie Costello & Toni Eberhardt

Make-A-Wish® Arizona, the local chapter of the international wish granting organization, and District Medical Group (DMG), a Phoenix-based non-profit medical group comprised of more than 650 providers across medical specialties, are piloting a unique referral process to increase life-changing wish opportunities for eligible children receiving care at Arizona’s Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS), Phoenix.

The “Medical Champions” program was created by DMG using their electronic medical records (EMR) system to better identify and track children with critical illnesses who would qualify for a wish experience. Ensuring patient privacy, the team contacts the parents of its patients and assists them through the referral process so their child might benefit from a wish experience. With more than 16 staff members on board for the pilot, DMG has referred more than 22 wish kids since June 2017. Before the program, the team had referred 40 kids total over three years.

”We believe healthcare is more than administering clinical care; it is helping patients attain the life experiences they wish for by using the resources we have available,” said Troy Nelson, MD, DMG Medical Director at CRS. “We are thrilled to partner with Make-A-Wish Arizona and expand the use of our EMR to help young patients start the wish process.”

This innovative approach to referring new children for wishes has built a stronger relationship with medical professionals for Make-A-Wish Arizona. The chapter is excited to see if the program can be templated for other physician offices, hospitals and clinics.

“Medical professionals are an important referral source for our wish kids because they understand the value a wish can have on a patient’s medical journey,” said Jennifer Fleming, Intake and Medical Outreach Manager. “With this new system in place, DMG medical professionals can reach out to Make- A-Wish when their patients are most in need of the happiness and strength a wish can create.”

For wish mom Maria Beteta, the wish experience created for her son, Marcos, went above and beyond what she ever considered possible. Marcos, 14, lives with critical idiopathic epilepsy. His wish was to “meet” his favorite Disney characters.

“Marcos’ wish was a great, unique experience not only for Marcos, but for my entire family,” said Beteta. “To see my children so excited, so surprised by many things. My greatest happiness was looking at my son, Marcos, so surprised. His eyes shined with such emotion. He loved all the services that they gave my family. We all did not want the day to end.”

About Make-A-Wish® Arizona

Make-A-Wish® Arizona is the founding chapter of Make-A-Wish®, the world’s largest wish granting organization which grants life-changing wishes for kids with critical illnesses. With the help of generous donors, Make-A-Wish Arizona has a goal to grant more than 400 wishes this year. For more information, visit Arizona.Wish.org.

About District Medical Group

District Medical Group is a nonprofit entity consisting of more than 650 providers representing all major medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. DMG providers serve acute care and psychiatric hospitals, diagnostic centers, family health centers, an internationally-recognized burn center, and numerous outreach programs. DMG administers Arizona’s Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS) multi-specialty clinic in collaboration with United Health Care, a first-of-its-kind clinic in the Phoenix area. For more information visit, DMGAZ.org.

Media Contacts

Make-A-Wish Arizona
Hollie Costello
Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing
O: (602) 343-9474
Email Hollie

District Medical Group
Toni J. Eberhardt
President, Prescriptive Communications
C: (602) 418-7767
Email Toni

Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS) Physical Therapy Department Spotlight

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By Linda Thunn, DPT, physical therapist

The Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS) pediatric physical therapists provide support and services for children (birth to 21 years) with developmental disabilities, and their families. They aim to develop, restore and improve mobility to improve quality of life.

Pediatric physical therapy benefits children and their families/caregivers by promoting activity and participation in everyday routines, increasing functional independence, improving strength and endurance, facilitating motor development and mobility, and easing the challenges of daily caregiving. Because patient’s are allowed to ”opt in” for services past the age of 21, there are several physical therapists qualified to treat individuals over the age of 21 as well.

Besides treating children one-on-one in the rehab clinic our providers also work in CRS’s Multidisciplinary clinics such as:

• Amputee Clinic
• Cerebral Palsy Orthopedic Clinic
• Cystic Fibrosis Care Center
• Myelomeningocele Planning Clinic
• Spasticity Planning and Follow-up Clinic

Our providers also perform equipment evaluations. They trial each child to determine what works best for them. Those evaluations are done on:

• Adaptive Seating
• Adaptive Car Seats (onsite at NuMotion)
• Forearm Crutches
• Gait Trainers
• Standers
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs (onsite at NuMotion)

A Spotlight on DMG Pediatrics

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By Prabodh Hemmady, MD | Eileen Maddix | Jeanine Pittman

Pediatrics Overview

DMG pediatrics is multifaceted, responsible for patient care in many locations. At Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS), there is a robust ambulatory clinic at the Comprehensive Health Center (CHC) where both general pediatric and subspecialty patients are seen.

In partnership with the Ambulatory Care division of DMG, pediatrics staffs primary care physicians at some of the MIHS Family Health Centers (Maryvale, South Central and Mesa). With the implementation of Proposition 480 (“Care Reimagined”), we are hoping to grow pediatric ambulatory care at MIHS. The Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient care units at Maricopa Medical Center are also great resources for Phoenix and the surrounding communities.

The Pediatric ED is open 24/7/365 and is staffed by Pediatric ED trained physicians. The inpatient units consist of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and acute care unit. We also care for non-ICU newborns who stay with their mothers on the post-partum unit until discharged home.

Pediatric Subspecialties

Subspecialties at the MIHS CHC include the following fields:

Adolescent Medicine
Neurology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Cardiology
Infectious Disease
Nephrology
Genetics
Pulmonology

Pediatric Residency Program and Medical School Affiliations

DMG pediatrics is a strong partner with Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) and MIHS in training resident physicians, and for many years it has been known as the PCH/MMC Pediatric Residency Program.

There are 32 categorical pediatric positions per year and well over 100 pediatric residents who rotate through MIHS when the medicine-pediatric residents and the pediatric/pediatric neurology residents are added. The pediatric residency program receives well over 1000 applications and interviews over 275 people for the 32 pediatric spots each year. The residents come from all over the country and bring with them a variety of backgrounds.

The department is also very active in educating medical students from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Midwestern College of Osteopathic Medicine. We also teach medical students from the Mayo School of Medicine and are excited about the relationship developing with Creighton Medical School.

Learn More About DMG Pediatrics

Would you like to know more about DMG’s Department of Pediatrics? The website is available in Spanish as well as English to better serve our patient population, giving them full access to the great information about us!