2011 MOUNTAIN KIDS - Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children · PDF fileYOUNG PIANIST MAKING...

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS FALL 2011 A HEALTH PUBLICATION FOR PARENTS RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com GREAT APPS FOR PARENTS pg. 3 HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS pg. 5 YOUNG PIANIST MAKING MUSIC AGAIN pg. 11 MARKING ONE-YEAR MILESTONE See pg. 4 Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center North Suburban Medical Center Rose Medical Center Sky Ridge Medical Center The Medical Center of Aurora Swedish Medical Center

Transcript of 2011 MOUNTAIN KIDS - Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children · PDF fileYOUNG PIANIST MAKING...

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ROCKYMOUNTAIN KIDS

FALL 2011

A HEALTH PUBLICATION FOR PARENTS

RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com

GREAT APPS FOR PARENTS pg. 3 HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS pg. 5 YOUNG PIANIST MAKING MUSIC AGAIN pg. 11

MARKINGONE-YEAR MILESTONESee pg.

4

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center North Suburban Medical Center

Rose Medical CenterSky Ridge Medical Center

The Medical Center of AuroraSwedish Medical Center

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*2 Fall 2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS

A healthy immune system stands between our bodies and infection from bacteria and viruses. During cold and flu season, it’s especially important to keep the immune system in shape.

Vaccinations and healthy habits can help your family stay flu-free. Doctors now recommend a flu shot for everyone from age 6 months and up. If you care for children younger than 6 months, you should get the vaccine, too. Infants have a high risk for serious flu, but they’re too young to be vaccinated. This year, the 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect you against three groups of influenza viruses, including the 2009 H1N1 virus.

Protect Kids from the FLU

Dear Parents:

Every parent celebrates milestones in their child’s life. Their first smile ... first steps … first words. Parents also use milestones as a point in time to look back at their child’s progress and to look forward to the next phase in their child’s development.

Organizations celebrate milestones, too. That’s why HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children is taking time this month to look back on our first year’s progress as a family of affiliated hospitals and services for children, to celebrate the first anniver-sary of RMHC at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and to look forward to exciting plans for the future.

The inspiring patient stories in this issue of Rocky Mountain Kids magazine are one

A Note from Dr. Washington REGINALD WASHINGTON,MD, FAAP, FACC, FAHACHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERROCKY MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

way we celebrate the extraordinary care our entire staff provides to children from throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Pediatricians, family medicine physicians and perinatologists have partnered with our specialists for more than 20 years to create a preeminent system for mothers and children.

From AirLife’s specialized transport teams for high-risk obstetrical and NICU patients, to extraordinary, lifesaving specialty surgery, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children’s system of care has expanded the range of choices and options for pediatric care in our state and region.

We look forward to the next phase of development: the enhancement of the neonatal unit at RMHC at P/SL, moving

all 84 beds to a brand new space and adding equipment and expanding parent resources. The size of our pediatric intensive care unit is also being doubled to accommodate the growing number of children who need this specialized care.

Support from parents like you, from our staff and from affiliated doctors has helped us grow to a first-year milestone. We look forward to the next stage in our own development as we ask the question that guides all of our decisions, “What’s the right thing to do for children in our care?”

These hygiene habits can help protect your family against either kind of flu and colds:• Teach kids to wash their hands thoroughly after wiping their nose and before eating.

• Help young children sneeze or cough into a tissue, then throw it away at once. If no tissue is available, cough into a sleeve.• Clean kitchen counters and other surfaces, such as doorknobs and phones, with a disinfectant.

Flu shots are available at

pediatrician offices, pharmacies and grocery stores

throughout Denver.

ON THE COVER: Photographs are from the 2011 Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL NICU Reunion, which nearly 1,600 people attended.

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Baby Brain (iPhone app) You have a lot on your mind. So it’s not always easy to remember when you last fed your newborn or how many bottles baby has had. Ditch the paper and pen and store this info on your phone, along with details such as how many diapers baby used, when and how long she slept and more. With this data at your fingertips, you can find out when baby naps best, when it’s time to feed again and more. Plus, you’ll have all of the answers in the palm of your hand when your pediatrician asks.www.babybrainapp.com

Mom Maps (iPhone and Android app)Don’t take “I’m bored” for an answer. Whether you’re looking for the nearest playground while on vacation or an indoor play area on a rainy day, this app makes it easy to find kid-friendly fun when you need it. Parent-to-parent recommenda-tions and reviews help you pinpoint nearby parks, play areas and museums just for kids, with maps to help you get there. You can also share your experience with other parents by submitting your own photos and reviews.www.mommaps.com

iReward Chart (iPhone app) Stickers are so 2004. With iReward Chart, create a list of your children’s chores and tap a virtual gold star when they complete each one. You can set up individual profiles for each child and make a list of rewards he or she can earn, assigning each a star amount your kids have to rack up before getting the reward. Making chores fun and meaningful for kids has never been easier!www.irewardchart.com

Gone are the days when your cellphone was simply a gadget to make phone calls. These days, it’s your shopping list, your email, your video camera and your GPS. Now, you can make the do-it-all device work even harder for you with these great apps for parents:

PUT THESE APPS ON YOUR TO-DOWNLOAD LIST

Every dose of medicine that your child receives involves a complex math problem. First the proper dose is calculated based on your child’s weight. Then the number of doses per day and the concentration of the medicine are factored in. When your child is in the emergency room, this math must be done in a setting where seconds often count and accuracy is vital.

That’s why it’s good to know about Artemis, a new, Web-based medication safety system at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. To use the system, a physician or nurse enters basic facts about a young patient on a computer screen. Then the system calculates the proper drug dose, quickly and accurately. It also shows the proper size for equipment, such as a breathing tube, if needed.

By doing the calculations, “the system frees the doctor and nurse to focus on the patient,” says Chris Darr, MD, medical director of the hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Department. “It simplifies the process of selecting the right amount of medicine for a child. That greatly improves medication safety.”

Artemis is now used in the emergency rooms at each of the hospital’s seven locations. “It’s the safest system available for pediatric patients,” Dr. Darr says. As a parent, you hope your child never becomes critically ill. But if that day ever comes, Artemis offers an extra dose of confidence in the quality and safety of care your child will receive at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.

BRINGING A HEALTHY DOSE OF DRUG SAFETY TO THE ER

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for the latest kids’ health news.

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It’s hard to believe, but a year has passed since the opening of Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (RMHC) at Presby-terian/St. Luke’s Medical Center (P/SL). The new facility was established so patients could receive high-quality, efficient pediatric care close to home. RMHC and its HealthONE affiliates offer neonatal units, pediatric wards and pediatric emergency rooms throughout the Denver metropolitan area.

When pediatric care was first estab-lished at P/SL 20 years ago, it was centered on personalized treatment by board certified or board eligible doctors. While other hospitals focused on teaching and research in addition to patient care, at RMHC, our only priority has been to offer expert, compassionate care for kids.

TOP-QUALITY CAREWhile our home may be new, the outstanding care we provide hasn’t changed. To ensure that we continue to offer high-quality care, RMHC has these processes in place:• A multidepartmental committee reviews new medical literature to ensure the best treatment plans are followed.• Another committee constantly monitors all hospital procedures, complications and mortalities. • RMHC and all sister institutions use computerized medical records, so a patient’s medical history is immediately

RMHC Celebrates One-Year Milestone

• Perinatal-Neonatal Service:

As the only Rocky Mountain

facility equipped to treat

high-risk mothers and newborns

in the same place, we have all

the services of a fully staffed

adult hospital for Mom, and

we’re the only neonatal

intensive care unit staffed 24/7

by board certified or board

eligible neonatologists to care

for infants.

When you choose RMHC, you can be confident that your child is in the very best hands. Visit www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com to learn more about the expert services and compassionate care we provide.

available if he or she is transferred to another HealthONE hospital.

NEW PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTSTo address the unique needs of Denver-area children, RMHC has more than 45 pediatric specialists. In most cases, appointments can be scheduled with these doctors within two days.

In addition, our pediatric specialists are close by, housed in the Medical Office Plaza connected to RMHC. This makes it easier for parents to bring children to multiple doctors in one day.

• Minimally Invasive Surgery

(MIS): Traditional surgery often

requires a long incision, but MIS

uses only tiny incisions,

reducing pain and side effects.

RMHC had the first state-of-the-

art MIS operating room in the

country and was the site of the

world’s first use of MIS for a

specialized neonatal esophageal

procedure.

• Pediatric Orthopedic Center:

The center’s experts treat all

skeletal system problems,

including birth defects, spinal

disorders and cancer. In

conjunction with local school

districts, our Youth Sports

Medicine program provides

concussion assessment and care

for other athletic injuries.

• Emergency Medicine:

We aim to see children within

20 minutes of check-in, and wait

times are available by phone,

Internet, app and text message.

Our pediatric emergency room

physicians always consult a

child’s primary care physician.

Centers of Excellence Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (RMHC) provides many advanced services that are unique to the region, including:

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Are Those Sniffles I Hear?Although you may do everything to keep your family well over the upcoming holiday season, such as getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated and eating nourishing meals, you or your little one might come down with a bug. How do you tell the difference between a cold, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

LIGHTS• Check your light cords for any breaks in the coating.• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.• Before using lights outside, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.• Hold outside lights in place with hooks or insulated staples.• Check light strands for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.• Never use lighted candles on trees or other evergreens; keep candles in holders and out of reach of children.

DECORATIONS• Make sure pets and small children don’t come in contact with lights or bulbs that could end up in their mouths.• Many plants, especially poinsettias, are poisonous if eaten.• Make sure that your decorations are secure and can’t be easily pulled down or tripped over.

PRESENTS• Always check presents to make sure they are age appropriate.• Remember, children younger than age three can choke on small parts and may put them up their nose or in their ears.

“A cold is relatively harmless and usually clears up by itself within a week or two,” says Sue Kirelik, MD, Chair of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Sky Ridge Medical Center. “Kids with a cold will have congestion, a cough and perhaps a low grade fever, but are usually still fairly active.”

Most children who get the flu also get better relatively quickly, but a few can develop complications such as pneumonia. A new fever that develops days after the start of the flu may be a sign of pneumonia.

“On the other hand, RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. In healthy children,

RSV clears up in one to two weeks, however, the infection can be severe and may cause other respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia,” says Dr. Kirelik.

“RSV causes a cold and cough in older children. In infants and younger children, RSV can sometimes cause bronchiolitis. With bronchiolitis, babies may develop wheezing and difficulty breathing,” she adds.

It’s important to know the differences between cold, flu and RSV symptoms. When in doubt, use First Call for Children. When your doctor’s office is closed, our Nurse Advice Line can answer your questions. Give us a call at 303-563-3300 in the Denver Metro area or 877-647-7440 toll-free (outside of Denver). First Call for Children is available Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.

‘Tis the Season for SafetyThe holiday season is a time of wonder, filled with tempting decorations, beautiful lights and the prospect of unexpected new treasures. Here are some tips to protect your family and make your home safer over the holidays.

Every Second Counts in an EmergencyFind the closest HealthONE pediatric ER and average wait times with the HealthONE Fast LocatER tools. You can access ER wait times in four convenient ways:1. Check out our website: www.healthonecares.com/er.2. Download the app for iPhone and iPad.3. Text “ER” to 720-523-3888.4. Call 720-523-3888 for automated wait time updates.

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2 Summer 2011

6 Fall 2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS

Active kids are healthy kids. That’s why HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Warner Bros. Consumer Products partnered up to open the Rocky Mountain Play Park in the mall, just outside Macy’s on the lower level. The play area is designed to inspire healthy and active lifestyles.

Rocky Mountain Play Park and the LOONEY TUNES Get Kids Moving!

The Rocky Mountain Play Park is located on the lower level near Macy‘s and is open during all mall hours, except for cleaning from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 6:30 p.m.

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A FUN PLACE TO PLAYThe Rocky Mountain Play Park features iconic Looney Tunes characters taking part in some of the healthy and enjoyable activities that the Rocky Mountains offer. The play area provides children with a fun environment, filled with kid-friendly, soft foam play elements, where they can be active and healthy, rain or shine.

With the Looney Tunes characters and the new focus on inspiring healthy lifestyles, Rocky Mountain Play Park takes the mall’s play area to the next level. “Cherry Creek’s play area has long been a beloved landmark for families in the Denver metro area,” says Dave Dixon, marketing and sponsorship director for the shopping center. “We are thrilled to have partnered with HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and Looney Tunes to make this favorite spot in the mall even better with a fun and innovative play experience.”

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT INDOORSThe Rocky Mountain Play Park is a sensory experience allowing children of all ages the

opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the adventurous activities found in the Rocky Mountains. Kids are welcomed into the play park by the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children mascot, Jack the River Otter, as he sits on his kayak. Kids can hang out with Bugs Bunny as he takes a “carrot break” from his hike, ride in a river raft with Sylvester and Tweety, whiz down a slide with Porky Pig and Marvin the Martian, fish with Taz, camp with Elmer Fudd and much, much more.

KIDS ON THE MOVEThese activities are another way for Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children to encourage kids to keep healthy by staying active, says Beverly Petry, chief marketing officer for HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. “Its focus on healthy and fun activities for children parallels the emphasis we place on encouraging healthy and active lifestyles in the community, for not only the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, but across the entire HealthONE network of hospitals.”

RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com 7

Join the Club!Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and Cherry Creek Shopping Center are excited to bring Colorado families a great new club for parents and kids! Sign up for the Rocky Mountain Kids Club online at shopcherrycreek.com/kidsclub to receive a quarterly newsletter with updates, health and wellness tips from Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, special offers from your favorite Cherry Creek stores, fun kid-friendly activities, recipes and more. Plus, learn about upcoming special events at the ever-popular Rocky Mountain Play Park in Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s11)

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8 Fall 2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN AT P/SL NICU REUNION AT THE DENVER ZOOWith the largest neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Rocky Mountain region, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL held the biggest NICU reunion in the state this spring. Nearly 1,600 NICU “graduates” and their families enjoyed visiting with each other and the very special nurses and doctors who cared for them while they were in the hospital.

7

zooA DAY AT THE DENVER

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Josef was born in February of 1998. Two days after his mom, Danielle, took him home, Josef had to be airlifted from a Grand Junction hospital to Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center by Flight for Life, an air ambulance and critical care transport service.

Josef had cheated death by about 15 minutes, Danielle was told. Surgery on his heart was successful and he went home 13 days later. “We were told that one day he might need another surgery to remove a blockage that was below his aorta,” she said. “In May of 2010, we were told it was time.”

EXPERT HANDSFor the second procedure, Josef

would be in the expert hands of pediatric surgeons Steven Leonard, MD,

named one of The Best Doctors in America: Central Region, and Damon Kennedy, DO, from the Rocky Mountain Pediatric Heart Center at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. Both are specialists in treating pediatric congenital heart abnormalities.

BACK TO BEING A KIDThe surgery at RMHC at P/SL on June 29 was scary for the family, who knew there were potential complications. “After five long hours, Dr. Leonard and Dr. Kennedy came out and said everything went as planned. They removed the blockage and also fixed a leaky aorta,” Danielle said. “Josef is doing awesome. He enjoys racing BMX, bowling and playing baseball. I thank the heart team at P/SL because if it weren’t for them, we might not have our little boy. Everyone at P/SL was very kind and helpful.”

After the surgery, Danielle enthused about the expert team on the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children Facebook page, “ ... your pediatric heart team is AMAZING.”

Josef Thurston of Grand Junction is a lively 13-year-old boy with a busy life and a keen enjoyment of several sports, all made possible by two heart surgeries almost a dozen years apart at RMHC at P/SL.

Made Possible by Heart Surgery at RMHC at P/SL

BMX, Bowling and Baseball

Have a Success Story?We want to hear from you! Share your story with us on our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/RockyMountainHospitalForChildren. Your story could be featured in a future issue of Rocky Mountain Kids!

Jose

f’s s

tory

Steve Leonard, MD, is a pediatric heart surgeon whose patients come from throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He was recognized by 5280 magazine as a “Top Doctor” for 2011.

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When you’re 12 years old, your biggest worry is usually about beating your friend in the latest video game or winning the next baseball game. Twelve-year-olds don’t often hear the words, “You have cancer.” Hunter Baker is one who did.

In April, Hunter was diagnosed with a tumor in his femur called osteosarcoma. This is a cancerous bone tumor that usually develops during the period of rapid growth that occurs in adolescence, as a teenager matures into an adult. Hunter immediately began chemotherapy. The next phase of his treatment would include major surgery to remove a large portion of his femur.

ON A MISSIONRonald Hugate, MD, orthopedic surgeon at the Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, specializes in this type of surgery. While Dr. Hugate met with Hunter and his family, he learned this young man had a passion for the military, especially Black Hawk helicopters.

Hunter was fascinated by Dr. Hugate’s experience in Afghanistan as a member of the Army’s forward surgical team. He asked if he could meet some soldiers. Unbeknownst to Hunter, Dr. Hugate took his request a few steps further.

A DREAM COME TRUEHugate called Fort Carson to ask if there was any way Hunter could see a Black Hawk up close. It turned out that an Army Medivac Unit in Fort Carson had just received a new Black Hawk that needed training.

The crew arranged a training flight to P/SL the morning of Hunter’s surgery. The hospital staff surprised Hunter with a trip to the helipad where he was able to climb inside the cockpit for a personal tour. Hunter, his family, Army soldiers and even Air Force Airman all spent about an hour visiting on the helipad and taking photos. When it was time to leave, Hunter was able to stand on a nearby walkway and feel the force of the Black Hawk’s rotor wash as it took off. The pilots did one last flyby to see the smile on Hunter’s face and give him the thumbs up.

Surgery was a success. Hunter says someday when he’s a Black Hawk pilot, he’ll return the favor and create a lifelong memory for another young cancer patient.

Expert Care, Personal TouchThe pediatric cancer specialists at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL combine expert diagnostic skills with experienced and comprehensive care for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer. Meet Dr. Hugate and all of the expert team at www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com/cancer-center.

1. Hunter gets his first look at the Black Hawk as his parents document his excitement with photos. 2. Hunter sits in the cockpit of the Black Hawk wearing the pilot’s helmet. 3. Hunter receives a military medal. 4. Hunter poses with all the members of the military who came to visit.

YOUNG CANCER PATIENT

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Are You Looking for a Doctor for Your Child?Visit www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com/find_a_doctor and search by specialty, name, distance, gender and more. On the go? Find a doctor fast by snapping this tag with your smartphone. Get the free mobile scanning app at gettag.mobi.

Steve Rothenberg, MD, an international leader in minimally invasive surgery for children, is consistently recognized as a “Top Doctor” by 5280 magazine in Denver.

RMHC PROCEDURE Keeps Young Pianist from Missing a Beat

RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com 11

Concert pianist Anna Cole learned early in her life how to juggle scoliosis with her budding music career. But at age 10, it seemed her spinal curvature was getting worse. When physicians in her hometown of Colorado Springs started looking for a reason, they realized Anna’s condition wasn’t scoliosis at all—a benign mass growing in her chest was pushing on her spine and causing it to curve.

OFFERING A NEW HOPESurgeons at a hospital in Aurora told Anna’s parents that removing the tumor would involve an invasive procedure with large incisions. Recovery would be lengthy and muscle damage from the procedure could affect Anna’s growth. Her musical career would be interrupted. That wasn’t acceptable to Anna’s parents. They decided to consult with Steven Rothenberg, MD, medical director

of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.

PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2.0Dr. Rothenberg is one of the first pediat-ric surgeons in the U.S. to perform minimally invasive surgery for children. He also helped develop the tiny surgical

tools he uses to lessen tissue damage. He knew he could remove the large mass through tiny incisions, shortening Anna’s recovery, lessening pain and minimizing scarring. During the procedure, Dr. Rothenberg used the small instruments

A talented young musician’s career, threatened by a tumor, is kept on track by a Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children surgeon who pioneers minimally invasive surgery.

At Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Medical Center, our doctors are leaders in minimally invasive techniques and we have the most advanced pediatric minimally invasive operating rooms in the world.

to place a bag around the mass and literally cut it to pieces while contained, allowing removal through the tiny incisions.

TICKLING THE IVORIESThe procedure was successful. Anna’s spine was straight again and she went home the next day. Approximately one

week later, Anna was back performing for a live audience. Anna’s parents are thankful they found Dr. Rothenberg and for the procedure that gave their daugh-ter the chance to continue her music training without missing a beat.

Ann

a’s

stor

y

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Join the Rocky Mountain Kids Club by visiting us online at shopcherrycreek.com/kidsclub. You’ll receive kid-friendly recipes and activities, a quarterly newsletter, health and

wellness tips from Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, special offers from your favorite Cherry Creek stores and more. Snap this tag with your smartphone to sign up today! If you don’t have a tag reader, don’t worry. The app is free and easy to download; just go to gettag.mobi on your phone.

Rocky Mountain Kids is published by Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children’s family of hospitals from HealthONE.

The information is intended to educate the public about subjects pertinent to their heath, not as a substitute for consultation with a personal physician.

Beverly Petry Editor

Rocky Mountain Kids welcomes feedback from our readers. To offer feedback, please go to www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com and click on “Contact Us.”

©2011 Rocky Mountain Kids. All Rights Reserved.Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only.

PRESORTED STD US Postage

PAID Rocky Mountain

Hospital for Children

ROCKYMOUNTAIN KIDS

MyPlate Paints a Simple Picture of Healthy Eating

The underlying dietary guidelines are the same, but the plate aims to provide a simpler visual cue for healthy eating. It’s like a pie chart for your meals, helping you visualize the best balance of food choices for you and your family.

The new recommenda-tions call for half of the plate to consist of fruits and vegetables. Lean protein such as poultry, beef, pork, lamb, eggs, nuts and seeds, or dry beans and peas should make up slightly less than one-fourth, and the rest should be whole grains. Pair the plate with a glass of low-fat milk.

You can see the idea in action at the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture’s new site, ChooseMyPlate.gov. The website offers a range of tools, including sample menus, recipes and personalized eating plans.

10334MA

And, it outlines some new, straightforward rules for healthy eating.

MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS When planning meals for your family, offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including red, orange and dark-green varieties. Switch from full-fat to fat-free or low-fat milk. Make sure at least half of your grains are whole grains, such as 100 percent

whole-grain bread, cereal and pasta.

CUT BACK ON LESS-HEALTHY OPTIONSThere are a few things that don’t fit on the new plate. Read food labels and choose foods with fewer solid or saturated fats, less sodium and fewer added sugars. Offer water with meals and snacks instead of soda and other sugary beverages.

MyPlate is a new campaign that replaces the government’s food pyramid.

Sign Up for the Rocky Mountain Kids Club!

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center1719 East 19th AvenueDenver, CO 80218