As Chief of Pediatrics at Family Health Centers of San Diego, I wanted to share what our Pediatrics Department has been doing since the onset of the pandemic.
Our friends at Cox Communications are matching donations made to pediatrics. As you read some of our stories, please consider making a gift today to support children in our community and double your impact.
It takes a village.
As the pandemic hit San Diego last March, one of the first things we did was contact each of the families of our patients with chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 disproportionately affects those with underlying health conditions, so these families were first on our minds. We called to check in on them, find out what support they might need, and make sure they knew what resources and assistance were available.
During these conversations, we were able to hear how COVID-19 affected the families of our patients. We quickly realized we could provide resources not just to our patients, but to their parents, grandparents, friends and so many more. We helped families strategize how to stay safe, continue to receive critical health care services and connect with resources as we experienced the first surge.
The response was overwhelming.
Every conversation would eventually turn back to us. So many families would ask us how we were doing and share how they felt as they considered us an extension of their own family. Our patients and their care are always on our minds, but I cannot express how honored and thankful we are to have that sentiment returned as our patient families were concerned about us. Health care providers on the frontlines have been working so hard to combat COVID-19, and it helps to know our community is behind us as we fight together.
I am so proud of our department and proud of the response of San Diego’s health care community. As everything around us began to shut down, Family Health Centers of San Diego was able to make a real difference in the lives of our patients.
In the beginning, we provided a lot of education on food security.
Families were losing jobs and, suddenly, something as routine as dinner became a point of anxiety. We referred so many families to food banks and pantries, I can now list most off the top of my head.
Kids were not able to see their friends and socialize; they were stuck at home, often behind a screen. These transitions presented a unique challenge to the health, happiness and development of our community’s children.
In response, we continued to provide physical evaluations, began offering Zoom exercise classes and transitioned our Healthy Together program to the digital sphere. Without playgrounds, PE classes and recess, we found ways to get creative.
Furthermore, we offered the families we see – many of whom live at or below the poverty line – free books through a program dear to my heart, Reach Out and Read (ROAR). Items like books aren’t prioritized when a family struggles to put dinner on the table, but reading with children is such an essential step in their development. We gave away thousands of books to families in need with prescriptions to read written by our pediatricians and a free book to take home at all well-child visits.
The pandemic has been difficult for everyone.
But, my heart aches for the children who have sadly had to miss out on so much this year. 
However, our Pediatrics Department will continue to care and fight for the kiddos in our community as we deal with COVID-19 and beyond. When you support this work with a gift, our long-term partner Cox Communications will match your donation and double your impact.
The work is never done, but always worth it. I hope you can join us as we care for the children this year.
Best,
Dr. Marsha Spitzer
Chief of Pediatrics, FHCSD
Medical Director, Reach Out and Read San Diego
