Time to get Ready for School!

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The 2024-2025 school year is just around the corner and the back-to-school feeling is nice to have back. As kids everywhere begin to get ready for the year, here are ways to make sure the start of the school year is a healthy and safe one.

Well-child Appointments
Well-child checks or well-child visits are crucial for healthy development among children. Make sure your child has their well-child appointment before school starts!

Schedule a Sports Physical
If your child is playing any sport this fall or spring, it’s a good time to get them a physical before the season gets into full swing.

Make Sure Immunizations Are Up to Date
Schools require immunizations and they keep your child and their classmates protected from unnecessary, dangerous, and sometimes fatal diseases. Take a look at the CDC list of childhood vaccines.

Start a Good Sleep Routine
Kids need enough sleep to develop and do well in school and everything else. Most children need between 9-12 hours of sleep each night, so start a routine now and keep it up!

Be Physically Fit
Kids need at least one hour of exercise every day. Make sure they get enough activity whether it is walking, swimming, playing soccer or basketball, dancing, or something else.

Get School Supplies Ready
Start the school year with a sturdy backpack. Make sure your student has whatever supplies, like notebooks, folders, pens, and pencils, etc. to start the year successfully.

Talk About Bullying
Make sure your child knows about the seriousness of bullying. It can hurt people emotionally and mentally and can harm their learning. If your child is being bullied or sees another student bullied, make sure they know to tell a bully to “Stop!” and to talk to a trusted adult (teacher, counselor, nurse) at school.

Ready to start this school year and get your student in for their back-to-school medical appointments? NOAH pediatricians, counselors, nutritionists, and community resource specialists can help your student and family head into the year with everything you need for success. Make an appointment today!

5 Tips to Eat Healthy During Summer

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With summer in full swing and your kiddos out of school, you may notice that your family’s mealtime routine is a bit more relaxed. It’s easy to indulge in beverages and foods which increase your empty caloric intake which can put on extra weight. And as we age, those pounds are much harder to get rid of.

Make healthy eating year-round; exercise helps burn those extra calories, but what about the lack of vitamins and minerals you may be missing out on? The best way to maintain a healthy diet is to develop and keep a mealtime routine and offer a variety of nutritious foods for your family year-round.

Try following these tips:

  1. Buy a variety of foods. When you go grocery shopping, start in the fruits and vegetables area. Then head over to the dairy and meats section. This allows you to focus on macronutrients that your body needs (carbohydrates, proteins, and fat). These nutrients give your body the energy it needs to maintain a balanced diet. By filling your cart with these foods first, you are less likely to have room for processed items that include high sugar, sodium, and carbs your body doesn’t need.
  2. Meal prep. It’s not just for the work week. Making good nutrition choices is easy if you prep right after you go grocery shopping. Designate a shelf or drawer in your refrigerator that includes cut-up fruits and vegetables, portioned out. In your pantry place the healthier items such as dry roasted edamame or chickpeas, low-sugar breakfast bars and nut/fruit trail mix, and popcorn in the front so these are the first items to grab. These snacks can be portioned out ahead of time making it much easier for your family to choose when they are hungry.
  3. Be mindful. Eating together whenever possible is a great way to catch up with your family and allows you to enjoy your food. Fill your plate with lean protein, vegetables, and grains. Fresh fruits make a great dessert option and help clean your palate. Most importantly, take the time to chew properly and taste the goodness.
  4. Smart drinks. This, especially during the summer months when it’s hot, can be tricky. Instead of grabbing a sugar-filled beverage, have ready-to-go containers filled in the fridge with water, low-fat or fat-free milk, or milk alternatives in the front that are easy to grab and go. This will help everyone avoid those empty calories.
  5. Get everyone involved. Going to the grocery store with your whole family can be an adventure that’s for sure, but it can also be an opportunity to educate your kiddos on what to buy and how to read labels. Teaching them the importance of a healthy diet at a young age will make them more likely to stick with it into their teens and beyond. It also allows them to learn how to make healthy food purchases.

But don’t stop here, meal prepping is way more fun as a family activity and it speeds up the process, making it feel less like a chore and more like a family bonding experience. Kids can peel fruits and vegetables, measure and scoop and assemble bags.

Eating healthily may reduce any sluggish feelings you may experience from processed carbs, high-saturated fats, and high-sugar drinks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the benefits of healthy eating may boost immunity, strengthen bones, and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases. For more information on nutritional eating benefits, visit https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/resources-publications/benefits-of-healthy-eating.html.

Tips to Manage Your Child’s Phone Time Over the Summer

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With summer in full swing, it’s important to balance allowing your child to enjoy their time off and ensuring they don’t spend too much time on their phone. Managing screen time can be challenging with the allure of social media, games, and endless online content. By setting clear boundaries, offering engaging alternatives, and promoting various activities, you can help your child make the most of their summer while developing healthy phone habits. Here are some practical tips to guide you in managing your child’s phone time effectively.

  • Set Clear Boundaries
    Establish specific times when phone use is allowed, such as after chores or outdoor playtime. Clear rules help set expectations and reduce conflicts.
  • Create a Schedule
    Develop a daily schedule that includes time for reading, outdoor activities, family time, and phone use. Balance is key to keeping your child engaged in various activities.
  • Encourage Outdoor Activities
    Promote outdoor play and sports. Organize family outings, nature walks, or visits to parks to keep them active and away from screens.
  • Use Parental Controls
    Utilize parental control apps to set limits on screen time, block inappropriate content, and monitor phone usage. This helps ensure your child’s online safety.
  • Offer Alternatives
    Provide a variety of non-screen activities such as board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, and books. Keeping them occupied with fun alternatives can reduce their reliance on phones.
  • Lead by Example
    Be a role model by limiting your own phone use. Show your child that engaging in offline activities can be enjoyable and rewarding.
  • Establish Tech-Free Zones
    Designate certain areas of the house, such as the dining room and bedrooms, as tech-free zones to encourage family interaction and better sleep hygiene.
  • Set Goals and Rewards
    Create a reward system for adhering to phone rules. For example, extra screen time can be earned through completing chores or participating in educational activities.
  • Communicate the Reasons
    Explain to your child why it’s important to limit phone use. Discuss the benefits of balancing screen time with other activities for their overall well-being.
  • Plan Tech-Free Activities
    Schedule regular family activities that do not involve screens, such as cooking together, playing sports, or having a movie night with no phones allowed.

By implementing these tips, you can help your child develop healthy phone habits and enjoy a well-rounded, active summer. For questions related to your child’s overall health, call 480-882-4545 and schedule an appointment with your child’s NOAH provider.

Have a Summer Safe in the Sun!

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By Cassandra Altamirano | PA-C, MPAS

Summer is a time to have fun!

Many of us enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, biking, and running, but summers in Arizona are very hot!  This heat can be dangerous and can cause people to become very sick or even die. Being out in the heat too long can cause dehydration and symptoms of dizziness, headaches, light-headedness, and fainting. If your body reaches too high of a temperature it can even impact organs like your kidneys and brain. Every year, people end up in the hospital due to heat related illness. Have fun, but be sure to have a summer safe from heat illness.

Here are the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses:

Recommended tips to have a summer safe in the heat and prevent heat-related illness:

Bring water 

  • Bring water with you everywhere you go. 
  • If you are outside in the heat stay hydrated! Drink at least 1 cup (8 oz) of water every hour even if you do not feel thirsty.

Wear sunscreen 

  • Wear at least 30 SPF sunscreen and remember to reapply every 2-3 hours especially if you are in the water. 
  • People often forget to apply sunscreen on wrists, tops of feet, backs of hands, ears, and nose. Don’t forget these areas!

Wear the right clothes

  • Wear a hat – a wide brimmed hat is best.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
  • Wear lightweight cotton clothing that covers your skin. 

Make safe choices

  • Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. is generally the coolest time.
  • If you are unable to avoid being out in the heat be sure to take frequent breaks to drink water and find shade to rest.
  • Check in on your elderly neighbors, family and friends, people from out of town or those that may be at high risk.

If you have more questions about heat and hydration safety, talk to one of NOAH’s providers today.

NOAH and Molina Healthcare: Programs Benefiting our Community

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At NOAH, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of our community. Our partnership with Molina Healthcare has been vital in enhancing our services and reaching more individuals in need. We are proud to highlight some of the key programs and events that with support from Molina Healthcare have made a significant impact on our community.

Fresh for You Food Distribution System 

Addressing food insecurity and promoting healthy lifestyle choices are central to our mission at NOAH. Thanks to the generous funding from Molina Healthcare, NOAH purchased a bank of 16 refrigerated lockers for our Cholla Health Center. The Fresh for You food distribution program provides our food-insecure patients and community members with easy and dignified access to healthy produce and other nutritious items.

In collaboration with Farmbox Arizona and St. Mary’s Food Bank, we ensure a steady supply of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and shelf-stable items to fill these lockers. This partnership not only supports local agriculture but also guarantees that our patients receive the freshest and most nutritious options available. 

Since launching in late 2023, demand for our Fresh for You food distribution program has soared creating the need for even more food lockers. Molina Healthcare was quick to support this community need by funding additional food lockers doubling our distribution capacity to 32 food lockers by August 2024.  

Books for Kids

During well-child checks, children receive books generously donated by Molina Healthcare, available in either English or Spanish based on the family’s preference. These books are theirs to keep, encouraging reading at home and supporting literacy.

To make the experience enjoyable for the entire family, we also provide books for siblings. This ensures that if a sibling accompanies the child to the appointment, both children can enjoy a book, making visits to our health centers a positive and engaging experience for families.

Special Events

NOAHfest Carnival and Health Fair

Molina Healthcare was the presenting sponsor two years in a row for our 2023 and 2024 NOAHfest events. These free one-day community events featured a day of fun, entertainment, and health at NOAH’s Cholla Health Center in Scottsdale. 

Thanks to Molina’s contribution, NOAH was able to offer this event to hundreds of individuals and families who enjoyed a variety of activities, including inflatable and tabletop games, face painting, crafts, and giveaways, as well as information and health screenings from NOAH providers. 

Connecting with patients and community members about healthcare in this non-traditional way created an opportunity to educate more than 800 participants about NOAH services and community resources.  

Back-to-School Wellness Events

Back to School season is a great time to ensure students are up to date on vaccinations, on-track for growth and development, and ready for the new school year. With support from Molina Healthcare, NOAH was able to fund the post-COVID-19 return of special back to school wellness events in 2023. Over 700 children benefitted from our increased appointment availability, extended Saturday schedules, and free resources to get the school year started.  

Community Care Day

In 2024, Molina and NOAH are going beyond back to school with resources available for the whole family during a special Community Care Day event on July 27 at NOAH’s Cholla Health Center. Patients and community members are invited to stop by for free school supplies, diapers, nutrition tips, health information, and more while supplies last.

Our partnership with Molina Healthcare has enabled us to launch and sustain impactful programs, addressing critical needs such as food insecurity and community engagement. We are deeply grateful for Molina’s support and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to improve the health and well-being of our community.

Parenting Takes Practice

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By Kristina Ward, LMFT | Counseling

Media often gives the impression that having children and parenting are natural gifts give to all good parents.

It is NOT!

Parenting is like any other skill. New parents must learn and practice these skills. Sometimes, this practice is easy. But when special circumstances arise, such as ADHD in a 5-year-old, anger in a 4-year-old, or even just managing a little girl with long, thick hair, parenting can become as challenging as an episode of “Fear Factor.”

Learning parenting skills is not only good for the child but also crucial for the parent. Developing healthy parenting skills improves the parent’s confidence, self-esteem, self-worth, and trust in other relationships. The use of healthy parenting skills fosters positive interactions between parent and child, which, in turn, boosts the child’s self-esteem and confidence.

Five Parenting Skills to Develop

1. Show Appreciation

When your child does something noteworthy, express your appreciation. More than just saying, “Thanks for helping with the groceries,” also recognize qualities like humor, compassion, or simply getting up on time. For instance, “Dude, you’re alive! I love it when I get to have breakfast with you in the morning before we need to leave.” You might be met with an eyeroll, but a connection is made.

2. Establish Clear Boundaries and Clear Consequences

Create clear rules and expectations appropriate for the developmental age and stage. How do we set rules? And expectations? Define unacceptable behaviors clearly and link them to specific rules. Address the rule when the behavior occurs. For example, if a child hits another person, establish the rule “No Hitting” and enforce consequences such as timeout (short-term restriction), removal from play, or grounding (long-term restriction).

3. Practice Empathy

Empathy, understanding another’s feelings and experiences, is a learned skill. Model empathetic behavior in interactions. For example, a father might say, “You seem upset today, want to talk about it?” Acknowledging feelings without reacting to negative tones encourages open dialogue.

Sometimes, modeling the behavior we want to see in our children involves discussing it. For instance, when Mom comes home from work and goes straight to bed without making dinner, her son remarks, “Mom didn’t even make dinner for us.” In response, Dad suggests, “Let’s prepare dinner together for the family. You can bring some to Mom when it’s ready, so she can rest and still have dinner.”

4. Connection, Connection, Connection!

Just like friendships, the relationship between the parent and child is fostered with emotional connection. Validate your child’s emotions by naming and acknowledging them. “Are you feeling anger alone, or is there some frustration in that anger too? I’d be feeling frustrated and angry right now.” Stay connected throughout the week, even if you work odd hours, with simple gestures like leaving notes of encouragement such as “Good luck on your math test today!” 

5. Teach Autonomy and Independence

Autonomy starts during toddlerhood and continues throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Parents can offer opportunities for healthy autonomy by offering choices, “Would you like to wear the pink top or the yellow top?” Respect your child’s opinions and emotions, and guide them through challenges to build problem-solving skills.

BONUS: Unconditional Love

Unconditional love is the love we feel no matter the child’s accomplishments, mistakes, or behavior. The child knows that he or she doesn’t have to do anything to be loved. Unconditional love doesn’t mean the child doesn’t have boundaries, expectations, and consequences. Unconditional love means: “Even when Mom is mad at something I did, I know that Mom still loves me.”

Parenting is a skill learned through experience and reflection. Seek support if you feel overwhelmed; you’re not alone. NAOH’s counseling team can provide more helpful parenting tips or be a listening ear during challenging times. Schedule an appointment here.

Summer Fun – Pool Safety Tips

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By Amit Jain, MD FAAP MBA | Pediatrician

Swimming is a great way to beat the summer heat here in Arizona and is a fun activity for children to pass the summer by. Drowning is the third most common cause of unintentional – injury related deaths. Among children aged 1-4, drowning stands as the leading cause of unintentional deaths, placing them at the greatest risk. As such, we here at NOAH wanted to share some important water safety tips!

  • Never leave children alone, even for a moment, in or near pool areas or other bodies of water (lakes, beaches, and even bathtubs or buckets of water)!
  • Install a fence at least 4 feet tall around the pool, which should ideally surround the pool on all 4 sides and completely separated the pool from your home and yard. It should not have any gaps that a small child could slip over, under, or through. The gate should be a self-closing and self-latching gate that cannot be opened / reached by a small child.
  • Newer technology offers alarms, both for the gate and within the pool, that can alert you to anyone around the pool.
  • When any inexperienced swimmer is around the pool area, make sure there is a designated adult for supervision. This adult should not be under the influence, should not have any distractions (cell phone turned off or handed off to another adult), and preferably knows how to swim and perform CPR.
  • Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd’s hook and a life preserver to reach / throw for rescues.
  • Avoid inflatable swim aids such as floaties, as they are not a substitution for proper life-preserving equipment such as life jackets.
  • Consider swim lessons for your child if over the age of 1, as it may reduce the risk of drowning. Talk to your NOAH Pediatrician about your child’s developmental readiness to take swim lessons.
  • Talk to your pool operator to make sure your pool / spa and its drains are compliant with the pool and spa safety act.

At NOAH, we want to make sure that you have the proper tools, education and resources to protect you and your family while swimming. Most importantly, we hope you have a safe and fun-filled summer!

Men’s Health Month – Tips for a Healthier You

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June is Men’s Health Month, a perfect time to focus on improving health and wellness. While everyone wants to look and feel healthy, many struggle with body dissatisfaction. Rising obesity rates are concerning, often stemming from inactivity at home and work, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
Read more

Share Your NOAH Story

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At NOAH, we believe in the power of stories. Your journey with us is more than just medical appointments—it’s a testament to hope and healing. Today, we invite you to become an advocate for NOAH by sharing your unique experience with our community.

Your story matters. Whether it’s overcoming a health challenge, finding support in difficult times, or experiencing exceptional care from our dedicated team, your words have the potential to inspire and uplift others.

When you share your story, you illuminate the impact of NOAH’s compassionate care. Your experience not only offers support to those navigating similar challenges, but also plays an important role in our mission to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare services to our community.

Take a look at some of NOAH’s previous patient stories:

Teresa’s Story
Sandra’s Story

Are you ready to make a difference? Please complete the form below and if your story is selected, a member of our team will reach out for more information.

Please note if your story is selected we may ask you to share your experience in a written, voice recorded, or video recorded interview. Rest assured, your privacy and comfort are our top priorities. Our team will ensure a supportive environment during filming.

Thank you for entrusting NOAH with your care. Together, let’s spread hope, kindness, and the power of healing through the gift of storytelling.

You Are Not Alone

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By Eleni Loisi, Behavioral Health Specialist

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a common experience for women following childbirth, typically occurring within six weeks after delivery, with statistics indicating one in seven women may develop PPD. It is common to experience what is known as “baby blues” after giving birth, characterized by mood fluctuations from happiness and joy to sadness and bouts of crying. Over the first two weeks after delivery, the baby blues tend to decrease. More concerning, there is Post-Partum Psychosis: hallucinations or delusions that may cause suicidal or homicidal thoughts.

Simply put, women undergo hormonal, physical, emotional, and psychological changes after childbirth, which can be challenging, exhausting, and even traumatic for some. Let’s explore the risk factors, symptoms, stigmas, and treatment/resources for PPD.

Risk Factors

  • Psychological: history of sexual abuse, history of depression and anxiety, premenstrual syndrome, and a negative attitude towards baby’s gender. 
  • Obstetrics: high-risk pregnancy, emergency cesarean-section (c-section), hospitalization(s) during pregnancy, meconium passage (baby’s first poop while still in the womb), umbilical cord prolapse (when the umbilical cord exits the cervix before the baby), premature, low birth weight, and low hemoglobin. 
  • Social: lack of social support, domestic violence (physical, emotional/verbal, and sexual), and smoking during pregnancy. 
  • Lifestyle: eating habits, lack of sleep, and lack of physical exercise. 

PPD Symptoms

  • Depressed mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in things
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Moving or speaking slower than usual
  • Agitation/irritability
  • Worthlessness or guilt
  • Fatigue and loss of energy
  • Suicidal ideation or attempt and thoughts of death
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Indecisiveness
  • Changes in weight or appetite 
  • Psychotic features: hearing or seeing things that others do not

Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) happens after giving birth, like PPD, however this condition affects your sense of reality. There are three types of PPP: The depressive type is the most common and most dangerous, the manic is the next most common type, and lastly the mixed/atypical is the least common.  

Depressive PPP Symptoms

  • Feeling anxious or panic
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Feeling guilty
  • Loss of appetite
  • Less interest or pleasure in things
  • Thoughts of harming self or baby 

Manic PPP Symptoms

  • Irritable/agitation
  • Talking more than usual and/or faster
  • Behaving more aggressively or disruptive
  • No need for sleep (not sleeping)
  • Delusions of greatness (believing your child is a religious figure)

Mixed/Atypical PPP Symptoms

  • Speaking or acting in a disorganized way
  • Seeming disoriented or confused
  • Hallucinations or delusions
  • Saying or doing inappropriate things
  • Not speaking at all (catatonia) 

The Stigma

Statistics show that about 50% of new mothers with PPD go undiagnosed due to issues with privacy and not wanting to disclose these issues with family members. As a mother, there are a lot of responsibilities put on us, including expectations of what a “good mother” is or should be. It’s difficult for mothers to express themselves and ask for help, in fear of being judged, invalidated, and even fear of losing their children.

Having a lack of support can also play a big factor. If a mother lacks social support and is fearful to turn to her doctor, she may feel isolated and overwhelmed. These feelings are entirely normal, and it’s crucial to recognize that every mother experiences them at some point. Remember, you are not alone, and it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for help. One of the most valuable pieces of advice for new mothers is to prioritize self-care and take breaks when needed. It’s okay to step away for a few moments to collect yourself, even if your baby is crying. Taking care of your well-being is important for both you and your baby’s health and happiness. 

Treatment and Resources for PPD

If you feel like hurting yourself or your baby, please put your baby in a safe space, go to a different space, and dial 988 or 911 immediately.