Do you remember middle school? I do. It wasn’t always easy; high school too, for that matter. As we get older, we tend to forget. Although you don’t have nearly as many responsibilities, it isn’t always easy being a kid. Children’s mental and physical health are critically important, especially for those in grade school. Pediatrician Dr. Jordana Hawkins of PeaceHealth helps kids get on track both physically and mentally.
Dr. Hawkins knew she wanted to be a doctor since she was little, and chose the field of pediatrics even before turning 18. As a high school senior, she shadowed her hometown’s local pediatrician.
From Northwest Connecticut, Dr. Hawkins went to Boston College for undergrad and New York Medical College to receive her training. Following her residency at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Pediatric Hospital, she found herself in Bellingham. She has worked with PeaceHealth for six years, making it her priority to ensure children are ready to navigate the school environment in both good physical and mental condition.
“I see patients with a variety of issues in both behavioral and physical health,” Dr. Hawkins says. “You see it all across the board too, from infants to toddlers, elementary school students to teenagers.”
Every child is different; as is every parent, for that matter. Dr. Hawkins specifically treats each patient in the way that’s best for them. This is especially true for children with behavioral issues.
“When a family is struggling with a child’s behavior, they want to figure out the cause and how to help their child through it,” Dr. Hawkins says. “School-age children can be going through a lot of different things, such as social anxiety, school anxiety and ADHD, just to name a few.”
Although Dr. Hawkins and her staff aren’t counselors or psychiatrists, they can assist with behavioral issues that may be plaguing children. They even have a social worker and consultant psychiatrist who comes in once a week to help with tough cases. Their team is composed of professionals from different backgrounds who work together to create a successful solution that’s best for the child.
Dr. Hawkins has many examples of successes achieved through teamwork. She recalls a specific time when a few of her female teenage patients were battling eating disorders. “It’s one of the toughest battles for both the girls and their families to go through,” Dr. Hawkins says. “You don’t get better overnight. It takes a lot of time and counseling and support to help them feel comfortable in their bodies and be healthy again.”
When a child or teenage patient has an eating disorder, Dr. Hawkins and her team schedule regular weight checkups. They also enlist the help of a dietician and counselor to create a well-balanced approach to treatment.
“The process can be long, but it’s so rewarding to see these girls get better,” Dr. Hawkins says. “And it isn’t just the girls that heal, the families themselves seem to come closer together.”
As the summer goes on, Dr. Hawkins sees an increase in visits, as parents scramble to get their kids into the office for check-ups and vaccinations before school begins. She stresses that it’s important to schedule your visits in advance, and encourages well-child visits for all kids participating in sports or going back to school.
Depending on the age of your child, they could be due for key vaccinations. Dr. Hawkins recommends pre-kindergarten vaccines such as Polio, DTaP, MMR and Chickenpox, and the meningitis, HPV and Tdap vaccines before your child enters sixth grade. Some of these vaccines require boosters when your child turns 18, such as the meningitis vaccine.
“You are your child’s best advocate for getting the most out of their educational experience,” Dr. Hawkins says. “It’s important you prepare them for that experience by making sure their physical and behavioral health are taken care of.”
Dr. Jordana W. Hawkins is a pediatrician at PeaceHealth Medical Group. Her office is located at Pediatrics Group 1E 4545 Cordata Parkway, Suite 1E in Bellingham, WA.
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