Above: Healthy kids are happy kids! Local physicians volunteer their time for our Well-Child Clinics.
Every August, RVNAhealth — through the generosity of grants received from the Barker Welfare Foundation, the Ridgefield Fresh Air Fund, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, and through time and expertise volunteered by local physicians – hosts a series of well-child clinics offering physicals and immunizations to area children from birth to age 18.
This year, the clinics are particularly important as the Coronavirus pandemic has caused profound delays in routine screenings and immunizations. According to the Connecticut Department of Health, state-supplied vaccines were down 13% in March and 43% in April 2020 versus those same months in 2019. Children not protected by vaccines become more vulnerable to preventable diseases such as measles.
RVNAhealth Well-Child visits include vision and hearing tests; height and weight measurements; anemia screening; blood pressure; a doctor examination, as well as required vaccines or immunizations that are due. The clinics are especially intended for families who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance does not cover annual physicals and immunizations, but are open to all.
The 2020 RVNAhealth Well Child Clinic Schedule
All clinics are held at RVNAhealth at 27 Governor Street in Ridgefield.
Wednesday, August 12, 3pm – 6pm: Joseph Cleary, M.D., Nuvance Health
Tuesday, August 25, 10am – 1pm: Joseph Cleary, M.D., Nuvance Health
Please note: Additional clinics are presently being scheduled and will be added at rvnahealth.org/services/be-well/well-child-clinics/
“2020 has been different in every possible way,” says Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President & CEO, “and it has been easy to lose track of wellness and prevention. But, as we know, both are critical to good health – particularly for children. We are very grateful to our donors and our volunteer physicians for partnering with us again to offer the highest quality health care to our local children and families.”
Special Safety Measures for 2020
To ensure a safe and healthy environment for patients and staff, RVNAhealth has implemented several new procedures this year.
- Patients will wait for their appointments in their cars and simply text or call upon arrival to check.
- Paperwork will be sent in advance to avoid waiting room time and congestion.
- All patients and parents will be asked to complete a COVID-19 screening and be temperature checked prior to entry.
- Face masks are required inside the building.
RVNAhealth staff and Well-Child physicians will follow the same protocols and will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment. RVNAhealth follows strict infection control and hygiene practices and has extensive cleaning measures of all equipment and facilities. The RVNAhealth building and organization has been operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and have been 100% successful in maintaining a COVID-free facility.
To learn more or schedule a Well-Child appointment, please contact RVNAhealth at 203-438-5555 x1119, BeWELL@RVNAhealth.org or visit RVNAhealth.org. The fee for a Well-Child physical including all required immunizations is $50. Financial assistance is available, further lowering these costs.
