Pediatrics

Health department employee of the quarter Jill Sandeen has been named the Washington County Health Department's Employee of the Quarter for January through March, 2008. Sandeen has worked as a nurse at Eastern Elementary School for more than 12 years. She was nominated by a colleague who said, "Jill does her job and does it cheerfully. Eastern Elementary School's health office is very busy and the day-to-day challenges can be quite stressful. Jill never complains and continually performs her duties in a caring, professional manner.

The medical tests you need in middle age Despite amazing advances in medical science, no one has come up with a way to prevent aging. Unless you die, you will get older. If you are between 45 and 64, you are middle-aged, according to the U.S. Census. continued Your body has changed. You can see that by looking in a mirror. But what about the changes you can't see? Are they harmful? How can you keep yourself healthy at this stage of your life? You know some of the answers: Eat right, exercise, don't smoke.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses gives the following recommendations regarding medicating children at school: Contact your school nurse or principal to learn the rules your school follows for handling and distributing medicine. Ask to see a copy of your school's policy. Find out who is responsible for administering medication in your school, and what medical training they have. Deliver the medication in the original container to the school nurse or office.

Washington County Hospital officials intend to build a new hospital approximately three miles from their current buildings on East Antietam Street, abandoning the old site, once plans are approved by the Maryland Health Care Commission. According to plans submitted to state officials, the new hospital would sit on a parcel next to Robinwood Medical Center, off Robinwood Drive, and physically connect to the medical center. The site currently is outside city limits, but could be annexed into the city with council approval.

andrear@herald-mail.com Pediatricians share a special relationship with parents, partnering with caregivers to give children a healthy start in life. "It really is a team atmosphere, with the team's goal being that the baby will grow up to be a happy, healthy adult," said Dr. Ruth Dwyer, pediatrician at Antietam Pediatric & Adolescent Care in Hagerstown. "I feel very much a part of the team. " Like family practitioners, pediatricians often perform many roles besides primary medical care, said Dr. Albert Strauss, pediatrician at The Children's Doctor, with offices in Hagerstown and Boonsboro "We're counselors.

Diabetes education program A free community program about diabetes will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 142, Robinwood Drive, east of Hagerstown. The program will discuss the risks for diabetes, diabetes risk assessment and how to exercise at your own pace. For information, call 301-714-4041. Prediabetes 'STOP' program Strategies to Overcome Prediabetes "STOP," a five-week program, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6, Washington County Health Department, 1302 Pennsylvania Ave. in Hagerstown.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Franklin County Safe Kids Chapter and Kim Domer's State Farm Insurance office are cosponsoring Safe Kids Day Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Open Door Church & Cumberland Valley Christian School, 600 Miller St., Chambersburg. The day will highlight the "3 Ps of Safety" - Proper Use of Equipment, Preparedness for Emergencies and Planning for everyday life. Activities will be held for ages 12 and younger and their families. Car seat checks will be available for ages 8 and younger.

OCT. 5, 1941-MARCH 22, 2009 CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Ellen D. "Diane" O'Bannon, 67, of Charles Town, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Shenandoah Health Village in Charles Town. Born Oct. 5, 1941, in Charles Town, she was the daughter of the late Charles G. and Jean Marshall O'Bannon. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing. She was a registered nurse and head of the pediatrics department at various hospitals. She was a member of Zion Episcopal Church, Charles Town.