Children Health Service Report #ThrowbackThursday
In October 1957, the Section of Pediatrics added a new phase to its program of child care—the Children’s Health Service. The program was designed for infant-to-fifteen-year children of Rochester and surroundings area who have the usual illnesses and related medical problems of childhood. This includes such things as pre-camp, pre-school, and similar examinations.
The Children’s Health Service was in line with a national trend in pediatrics—that of encouraging parents to bring the child to the doctor, rather than the doctor going to the child.
In its first full year of operation, approximately 8,977 patients were seen at Children's Health Service and 1,825 patients were seen on home visits.
In announcing this new service in 1957, the Section of Pediatrics noted that: “We cannot be certain just what the patient load will be, what if any changes or adjustments might have to be made. But we hope and believe that, with the co-operation of parents who wish our services, this expanded facility will provide more prompt medical care for children with the usual illnesses of childhood in Rochester and the surrounding areas.”
