Pediatrics

By your side for every stage of development

When will my baby start crawling? Is this fever something to worry about? How can I relieve growth pains? We’re here for all your concerns—from birth to 18 years old. Our pediatricians help keep your children healthy and care for them when they’re sick or injured.

During well-child visits, doctors make sure your child’s development is on track, answer questions, help you manage any ongoing health issues, and ensure kids are getting the immunizations that protect them from serious diseases. Every child age 6 months to 5 years old receives a free book at every well-child check as part of our non-profit Reach Out and Read program. Our caregivers believe early literacy skills and one-on-one time with Mom and Dad set children up for academic and emotional success in life.

Pediatricians also provide treatment and support for the unexpected—such as headaches, the flu, and behavioral concerns. We have same- and next-day appointments, and offer pediatric urgent care at our 87th Avenue location for issues that can’t wait. Clinic pediatricians also handle complex health concerns, including cystic fibrosis, Down’s syndrome, and childhood obesity.

No matter what the appointment is for, you can count on your provider to talk with your child and help them feel as comfortable as possible. We want kids to know that the doctor’s office is a safe place to be, and that staff and providers are here to take care of them. As children grow, our goal is to not only treat their current needs, but to teach them how to make healthy life choices.

Our doctors are prepared to support all areas of pediatric health. Below are some of the common concerns we encounter.

General pediatric issues and support:

• Abdominal pain
• Behavioral issues
• Circumcision
• Dietary concerns
• Headaches
• Illnesses
• Injuries
• Learning and development concerns
• Sleep-related issues
• Tongue-tie surgery (frenulectomies)
• Well-child visits

Chronic medical conditions:

• ADHD
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Hormone changes during adolescence
• Nutrition and issues related to obesity
• Skin (rashes, acne, eczema, etc.)
• Thyroid problems

Genetic conditions:

• Down’s syndrome
• Fragile X
• Klinefelter’s
• Noonan’s
• Turner’s

Reach Out and Read is a national program run in medical clinics across the United States to promote early literacy. Vancouver Clinic started its Reach Out and Read program in 2007.

Through this non-profit program, providers give out free books to children ages 6 months to 5 years old at each well-child visit. In addition, providers teach families about the importance of reading every day.

Families participating in Reach Out and Read have more books in their homes and are more likely to identify reading as a favorite activity. Children in the program develop better language skills by their two-year-old well-child visit and are better prepared to succeed in kindergarten.

Center for Disease Control (travel information)

American Academy of Pediatrics Website (pediatric health information)

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (vaccination information)

Fort Vancouver Regional Library

Educational Service District 112 (child development and early intervention screening)

Educational Opportunities for Children & Families (resources and support for families)

Parent Help 123 (help obtaining food, insurance, and other basic resources)

Washington State Poison Center

Washington State Department of Early Learning (child care, health, development, and safety)

The Arc Washington State (support for parents of children with special needs)

Menstrupedia (information on menstruation and other changes the female body goes through)

PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; information about gay and lesbian teens)

Adolescent Health Transition Project (information for teens with special health needs or disabilities)

Washington State Department of Health (injury and violence prevention)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Specifically designed for kids, teens

The Pediatric Wellness Program helps children and adolescents change their habits to live a healthy life. Obesity is a chronic, yet treatable disease. Individuals who have been diagnosed with obesity need compassionate, expert care.

Using nutrition education, behavioral therapy, and physical activity, this wellness program helps patients work toward a healthier future and even reverse their diagnosis. Improving body composition enables patients to:

• Prevent future health complications
• Increase their self-esteem
• Improve their quality of life
• Feel good about their body

Anti-obesity medicines and bariatric surgery may be options if intensive lifestyle training is not effective and families are interested in advanced therapies.

Led by a pediatrician

Dr. Valerie Weiss leads the Pediatric Wellness Program. A pediatrician with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Weiss is board certified in pediatrics and obesity medicine. Dr. Weiss works with the patient’s pediatrician, as well as dieticians, physical therapists, and licensed counselors to help kids achieve better health.

What to expect

Before the first visit, the patient or their parent/guardian will fill out a detailed evaluation covering medical, nutritional, social, and family history. The evaluation will also help screen for conditions that commonly accompany obesity, such as sleep disorders and attention difficulties.

At the first meeting, Dr. Weiss will review questionnaire answers, do a brief physical exam, listen to the patient’s own ideas for improving health, and offer education and handouts. She will also discuss testing for medical complications including abnormal lipids, liver disease, and altered glucose metabolism (prediabetes and diabetes). She will suggest testing for genetic forms of obesity, as appropriate.

At follow-up visits, Dr. Weiss will work with the patient and their family to develop a personalized plan with achievable goals. Video visits are available for some of the regular check-ins.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Weiss, ask your primary care provider for a referral. The program is open to individuals age 20 and younger.