Congratulations to the Families of:
Natalie Barker and
Benjamin Hackney--
Winners of our Registration Download Contest!
Each family received a $50.00 Gift Card to Target!
GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enter to win a $ 50 Target Gift Card
We are holding a drawing for a $50 Gift card. Here’s all you have to do to enter.

1. Download all necessary forms for your visit from our WebSite (lerchamatopeds.com). Complete them before you come in for your visit.

2. Show up on time for your appointment with your completed & signed forms--the receptionist must check you in, verify that you are on time for your appointment and all your forms are completed.

3. If you are on time and all your necessary forms are completed, the receptionist will give you a drawing card with your name, and telephone numbers. Just fill that out and put it into the drawing box before you leave.

4. Drawing will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at each office.

Retail Based Clinics

Retailbased clinics (RBCs)--also called convenient care clinics, are often found in supermarkets, pharmacies, & other similar retail locations. They are staffed by nurses or physician assistants and see “minor” illnesses or routine examinations, who are unfamiliar and do not have documentation to follow regarding your child’s family and past medical history, which are important factors in treating your child.
Myth 1: Its Okay to take my child to a retail-based clinic for minor illnesses.
Fact: There are no such things as minor illnesses.

Myth 2: It’s okay for my child to get a physical for sports or school at a retail based clinic.
Fact: Any kind of physical examination is an important visit with your pediatrician!! It may not seem like it, but visits for minor illnesses or physicals for sports or school are VERY important for your pediatrician to be able to identify possible health concerns and to stay current on the events in your family and child’s lives. No one knows your child’s health better than your pediatrician’s office.
Make sure your child’s health is top priority by getting care at the place that knows your child best. . . Your pediatrician’s office.

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE

OFFICE HOURS: Gibbsboro: Mon&Wed 9-9 pm. Tues, Thurs & Fri 9-5
Washington Twp: Mon, Wed & Fri. 9-5 Tues-Thurs 9-9 p.m.
Saturdays--Urgent Care/Sick appointments
Sundays--Emergency Only
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL: 856-435-6000 or
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRACTICE AT: www.lerchamatopeds.com

West Nile Virus is a disease spread by infected mosquitos, most commonly in the summer months in the United States. If you are bit by a mosquito that carries the disease, you could run the risk of being infected. The disease cannot be spread by touching or kissing another human. Infections can take about 3-14 days to develop after being bitten. The infection can range from mild symptoms, to more severe and even life-threatening. A mild infection, also known as West Nile Fever can produce symptoms such as fevr, headache, body aches and occasionally skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes and eye pain. More serious infections can cause an inflammation in the brain known as meningitis or encephalitis, causing symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, a stiff neck, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions,and partial paralysis. Mld infections generally resolve on their own, but more sever infections mut be addressed immediately.
To diagnosis West Nile virus, blood samples will be taken and run y a lab to test for antibodies to the virus.
If it is determined that you have contracted the virus, some treatment can be started. Since West Nile is a virus, antibiotics will not be used for fighting infection. For mild cases most people resolve the infection on their own with rest and fluids.
It is important to consult your doctor if think your child may have West Nile virus, to confirm the diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.

We have recently been informed that as of May 1, 2010 Health Net will no longer be available as a choice for insurance. Apparently Commericial Health Net will be phsed out over time according to their employer enrollment period. Health Net tell us that they have sent out mailings alerting patients that they are being transitioned into AmeriChoice Insurance and patients will receive new cards shortly. Drs. Lerch, Amato & Associates ARE participating providers and accept AmeriChoice, and there will be no interruption in health care services if a patient transisitons into AmeriChoice. However, it a patient does not choose to be enrolled in AmeriChoice, and chooses a University Health Plan we will not be able to service you as your pediatrician for your child.
So--again if you want to stay with Drs. Lerch & Amato as your pediatrician, you will need to transition into AmeriChoice from HealthNet.