jdcpediatrics

Is Your Child Sick?

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:39:12 GMT

Before you pick up the phone to call us for an appointment you may want to check JDC's new Symptom Checker . Here you will find helpful advice on managing your child’s symptoms.

What should you do when your child falls and gets a bump on the head? Should you be worried about your child's fever or sinus congestion? These are questions that all of us have. Often they come up in the evenings and weekends when your doctor's office is closed.

Symptom Checker may help. This is an online tool, using protocols endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that allows parents to click on a body part, select a symptom, and receive advice on how to treat minor illnesses at home or when to seek professional medical help. This tool also includes First Aid advice, Dosage Tables, and Parent Advice on a wide range of topics (found by clicking on the "hamburger" icon within the dark blue title bar).

We are always here to answer your questions and happy to give you advice over the phone. But sometimes you may have a simple question regarding your child's symptoms and what they may mean, and a simple click may provide the information you are looking for!

Please keep in mind, your doctor's advice and your good judgment should always take precedence over information in these care guides.

Our Position on Childhood Immunizations - PLEASE READ!

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:28:09 GMT

To Our Patient Families:

We are aware of the recent changes to the federal (CDC) immunization schedule which shifted several vaccines - including those for Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, and Meningitis - to a "shared decision-making" category.

As a pediatric practice dedicated to the long-term health and safety of your children, we want to clarify our stance: JDC Pediatrics will continue to follow the comprehensive immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Why We Follow the AAP Schedule:

* Evidence-Based Safety: The AAP's schedule protects children against 17+ dangerous diseases. These recommendations are based on decades of peer-reviewed data and clinical trials.

* Protection for the Vulnerable: Our waiting rooms are home to newborns and immunocompromised children. Following a complete vaccine schedule ensures that our office remains a safe environment for everyone.

* Clinical Consensus: The AAP remains the primary clinical authority for pediatricians; it continues to support these vaccines as "essential" and has noted that the recent CDC changes reflect a departure from evidence-based medicine and it has explicitly rejected the new CDC "Core 11" framework.

Our Relationship with Families:

We believe that a trusting partnership between a pediatrician and a parent is vital for a child's well-being. This trust is built on a shared commitment to evidence-based preventative care.

Because we view the AAP-recommended vaccines as the medical standard of care, our practice requires all patients to adhere to the full AAP immunization schedule. We respect that parents want the best for their children, but we cannot provide care that falls below what we believe to be the safest clinical standard. Families who choose to decline or significantly delay these essential vaccines will be asked to find a provider whose philosophy better aligns with their preferences.

We are always happy to discuss the science and safety of any vaccine with you during your child's visit.

AAP Opposes Federal Health Officials' Unprecedented Move to Remove Universal Childhood Immunization Recommendations

AAP Releases Its Own Evidenced-Based Immunization Schedule

All About the AAP Recommended Immunization Schedule

Vaccines Your Child Needs by Age 6

Introducing Express Care Appointments at JDC!

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 20:54:16 GMT

We know how important it is to get quick, convenient care when your child isn't feeling their best. That's why we are now offering Express Care appointments, which you can schedule online through our website simply by clicking on the "Make an Appointment" button. There is no need to log in to your portal account . Appointments are available on weekdays at both our Enola and Camp Hill locations. Weekend appointments are available at our Enola location only.

Express Care appointments are available for only the following concerns:

Ear pain
Insect bites
Pink eye
Upper respiratory concerns including ear, throat, or sinus infection (without signs of respiratory distress)
Sore throat
Fever (3 months of age and older)
GI upset that started in the past 2-3 days

Here’s how it works:

Scheduling appointments online are limited — first come, first served, and are available at either of our locations (except for weekends, during which appointments are only available at Enola)..
Click on the " Make an Appointment " button in the upper right hand corner of this page. When scheduling, please select "All Providers".
If a different type of visit would better suit your child’s needs, please call our team to assist in scheduling.

We’re here to provide the care your family needs—quickly and compassionately!

Change in JDC's Hospital Visitation of Newborns

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 22:36:05 GMT

Please note the following change to JDC’s procedure for seeing your newborn in the hospital.

JDC's physicians are currently not seeing any newborns at UPMC Harrisburg, as in the past. This change will allow us to serve you better by providing more options for appointments in our office.

Babies born at UPMC, Penn State Hampden, or any other hospital will be seen by the hospital pediatrician soon after birth. When you inform the hospital that you have chosen JDC Pediatrics as your baby's pediatrician, you will then be directed to call our office and schedule an appointment upon discharge. New babies may need to be seen in our office within a few days of discharge – the hospital pediatrician will advise you as to how soon your baby needs to be seen. Please make sure before you leave the hospital to request that your baby's birth records be sent to JDC Pediatrics, and complete any necessary paperwork to make sure this happens.

Please register with us BEFORE your baby is born! Click here to read about what is required to join our practice with your newborn.

We Are Now Accepting Newborns

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:26:01 GMT

Are you expecting? Congratulations! We are now accepting newborns into the practice.

There is a lot to consider when choosing a medical home for your newborn baby. We invite you to learn more about our practice by perusing our website and talking to your friends or family members whose children are patients here.

Once you have decided to enroll with us, please click here to read about what is required to join our practice with your newborn.

It's Form Season....Again?

cmccole@officepracticum.com (Cara McCole) — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:57:10 GMT

Whether it's for sports, summer camp, daycare, or a learner's permit, your child will most likely need a physical form filled out by us at some point. We’d like to let you know about a change in how we will be giving completed forms back to you.

When you ask us to complete a form for your child’s participation in a sport, activity, or for school or daycare, the completed form needs to find its way back to you. To help manage rising postage costs, we will no longer be mailing these forms to you. Instead, a completed form can be securely sent through your patient portal, or you may pick up your form in person at our office. If you prefer, when you provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your form, we will mail it back to you. Please read the following requirements regarding your child's well visits if you need a form completed.

If your child has had a well visit within the last year.....

You will need to schedule a form visit appointment (call the office or schedule on our website), where a medical assistant will take vitals and update your child's health history. This is so that we can determine what, if any, changes may have occurred in your child's health since the last well visit. Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure all parental information on the form is completed . Many forms have a separate section for parents to complete, or an area where personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, etc. needs filled in. If this information is not completed before you leave the office, we cannot finish completion of the form. Once the form is completed (please allow a minimum of 48 hours), we will either return it to you securely through your patient portal, or you may pick it up in person at our office. If you prefer, when you provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your form, we will mail it back to you. There is a $20 fee for form visits .

If your child has NOT had a well visit within the last year.....

You will need to schedule a well visit appointment (call the office or schedule on our website), and your form will be completed during that visit. Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure all parental information on the form is completed. Many forms have a separate section for parents to complete, or an area where personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, etc. needs filled in. This will save time during your visit and prevent any distractions from discussions with the doctor, etc. if this is done ahead of time. There is no form fee when the form is completed at the well visit.