In pediatrics, we discuss that kids grow in spurts, not at a steady, linear pace. This was clearly a year of “growth spurts,” particularly in some relatively new trends—increasing scientific skepticism, worsening insurance challenges, and the onslaught of impersonal artificial intelligence. Staying true to our mission of providing top notch, personal care for your children, while navigating “growth spurts” in these trends, has been our challenge.
Increased scientific skepticism, particularly around vaccines, has had devastating consequences. The US recorded over 1700 measles cases this year in forty-five outbreaks, compared to 285 last year in sixteen outbreaks. This represents the highest number in 33 years. Three children have died and many more have been hospitalized as immunization levels in areas have fallen below the 90-95% needed for herd immunity. Canada has had over 5000 cases, and just this year lost it “measles free” status. Similarly, “whooping cough” outbreaks spiked in 2024 with levels 6 times higher than 2023, and 2025 numbers are predicted to rise even higher.
Medical insurance costs continue to increase, with average health insurance premiums rising by 7% in 2025 for consumers. Meanwhile, primary care continues to receive less than 5% of total health care expenditure in the US. No one is immune from these pressures. In fact, we experienced a significant cash-flow crisis earlier this year resulting from withheld payments from our largest insurance payer, all due to a computer glitch that created a faulty algorithm.
AI has inserted itself into so many facets of life and certainly will continue to do so. Pundits claim that AI will not replace doctors, but doctors that use AI will replace those that do not. We experimented with chat-bots but quickly learned that computers, even smart ones, cannot replace the human touch that makes our care special.
So, what do we do meet the challenges posed by the “growth spurt” in these trends? First, we continue to insist on providing care based on the best available scientific evidence. Much in pediatric care does not have a clear scientific basis, particularly as new products come to market. However, the data supporting the current vaccine schedule is clear and we will not compromise. We have had to prepare for the possibility that insurance companies would not pay for vaccines or their administration, and that families would resist vaccines. In response we have reaffirmed our Vaccine Policy, which is posted on our website, and have included language that we may have to charge if insurance carriers do not pay (which fortunately has not been the case!)
Despite our frustration with the insurance companies, we have refused to interrupt care for any of our patients, regardless of their insurance. Led by our incredibly hard working and knowledgeable billing department, we continue to fight for fair and timely reimbursement of the services that we provide and monitor closely for inconsistencies in payments. If we are forced in the future to limit which insurance companies we can accept, we promise to notify families as soon as possible to seek assistance in disputes or to allow timely changing of carriers.
Finally, as we continue to identify areas where technology can be leveraged to improve your patient experience, we pledge to keep our relationships with children and families at the front and center. Currently, we are assessing an “AI scribe” software, to have the medical record completed automatically as your provider talks to you directly, thus removing the impediment of technology from our interaction. Stay tuned!
Overall, we remain committed to being “your scientific partner in parenting.” Times change. New trends come and go. But we strongly feel that this mission is timeless.
In health,
Eric
Welcome Erin Joyce, CRNP!
Please help us welcome a new face to the Center City Pediatrics provider team, Erin Joyce, CRNP. You may have already met Erin, as she spent some time shadowing CRNP Amanda before joining us full time. Since then, she has been getting to know our office while shadowing both Dr. Lidd and Dr. Blutstein.
Erin is now seeing patients at both our South Street and Fishtown locations.
You can find Erin’s bio on our website and get to know her a little better in her interview with our Practice Logistics Manager, Courtney. Here, she shares what she loves most about pediatrics…and Philly! Check it out here.
If you see Erin on a visit to our office, please stop and say hello!
Follow My Health
Need visit summaries or an immunization record for school, daycare, camp or sports? Want to email your provider with a non-urgent question? Have to refill a prescription or request a referral?
Follow My Health is the one-stop portal you need!
· Send non-urgent emails directly to your child’s provider
· Print visit summaries and immunization records
· Request referrals and prescription refills
· Schedule a well visit appointment
· Review past statements and payments
· Update medications and allergy lists
And you never have to leave your couch!
You can sign-up or sign-in from our website. Need a little help getting started? Stop by the reception desk at any of our offices during you next visit. Our staff can get you registered, troubleshoot any issues you have with enrollment or answer any questions.
Calling All Caregivers!
Do you have an experience with our office that you’d like to share? Do you have ideas about how to improve patient interactions with our staff? Do you want to lend your voice to our continuous improvement efforts?
Our Parent Advisory Board wants you!
Our Parent Advisory Board (PAB) meets three times a year, virtually, on a weekday morning with members of our clinical team and our staff. Over the course of an hour, we discuss initiatives that we are considering, ways to improve our service and how we can better support our families. We are always looking for caregivers willing to lend their voice and help us better partner with you!
You can read more about the PAB on our website. Have questions, want more information or interested in joining? Reach out and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
School is *Always* in Session!
In-person parent education workshops are in full swing at our South Street and *Bala Cynwyd locations. Advanced registration is required for all classes. You do not need to be a patient of the practice to join! Visit our website for details, facilitator bios and registration links.
Saturday 12/13, 1/10, 2/7 OR 3/7 9:30 – 11am
*Sunday 12/14, 1/11, 2/8 OR 3/8 9:30 – 11am
Babysitting Basics for Tweens & Teens
Saturday 3/7 11am – 12:30pm
*Sunday 3/8 11am – 12:30pm
Come Meet Us – Prenatal Information Sessions
Alternating Mondays (live & virtual) – South Street
2nd Tuesday of every month (virtual) – Bala Cynwyd
3rd Wednesday of every month (virtual) – Fishtown
33 Rock Hill Rd
1740 South Street
2365 East York Street