Franklin Community Health Network
A doctor talking to a young mother holding a small child

Franklin Health Pediatrics

Our health care providers are developmentally oriented and trained in skilled assessment to focus on prevention, detection, and management of physical, behavioral, and developmental problems that affect infants, children, and adolescents. Our pediatricians work to foster healthy lifestyles, and ease the day-to-day difficulties for those with chronic conditions. The practice’s doctors also staff the pediatric hospitalist service at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Primary and urgent care is provided by our pediatricians and nurse practitioners.

Our Team of Care Providers

four women and two men standing together and smiling in front a large mural background
Pictured from left: Heather Lynn, MD; Ryan Whitt, MD; Tanya Lever, CPNP; Emily Jacobs, DO; Nicole Donahue, CPNP; Gabriel Civiello, MD

A Sampling of our Services

  • Physical exams
  • School and sports physicals
  • Sick visits
  • Well-child visits and immunizations
  • Management of chronic health conditions
  • Developmental and behavioral concerns
  • Patient education
  • Inpatient care at Franklin Memorial Hospital
  • Outpatient subspecialty care
  • Oral health guidance and fluoride treatments

Walk-in Services

We provide convenient walk-in services for our patients from 7:30 - 9:00 am, Monday-Friday with one exception (2nd Wednesday, 8:30 - 9:30 am). This service is for our patients who have acute, short-term illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention but aren’t life threatening. Patients with chronic or long-standing conditions should still call to schedule an appointment as the walk-in clinic is for acute issues only.

Practice Information

Our offices are located in the Franklin Health Medical Arts Center on the hospital campus
Office hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 4:45 pm
Tel: 207-778-0482

For your convenience we offer:

  • Same day appointments as needed
  • 24/7 access to a provider
  • Direct delivery of behavioral health services by a licensed clinical social workers as needed.

Our doctors provide inpatient care on the hospital's Maternal and Child Health Unit

Please call our office to schedule an appointment.

Your Child's First Visit

If you have been referred by your Primary Care Provider for a consultation, you will need to obtain a referral if your insurance carrier requires one. If you have transferred from another doctor, you will need to sign a release form so we can obtain your child's records. Please arrive 15 minutes early for your first appointment, in case there is any paperwork you need to complete.

Prescription Refills

If you are not scheduled to see your doctor and notice that your medication is running low, please call seven days in advance of your medicine being completely gone. Those days give your physician time to review your record, call you back with any questions, approve the refill, and contact the pharmacy per their policy. Please plan ahead.

Appointment Policy

Parents and/or legal guardians are required to be present for all health maintenance/behavioral visits. When calling for an appointment, please help us schedule an adequate amount of time by describing the reason for your visit. For your first visit, we would ask you to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete any necessary forms. If you are unable to make your appointment, 24-hour advance notice is appreciated whenever possible. This allows us to open up that time for another patient needing care.

Emergencies

In an extreme emergency, such as loss of consciousness, chest pain, severe breathing problems, or major bleeding, call your emergency service number (usually 911) first. Do not delay emergency care by calling our office or the hospital. Afterward, if necessary, call your physician for further advice and coordination of your emergency care.

lets go 5210 logo
Let’s Go! is a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program based in Maine, that encourages increasing servings of fruits and veggies each day; decreasing hours of recreational screen time; increasing physical activity; and avoiding sugary drinks. As a Let’s Go! Health Care Site of Distinction, Franklin Health Pediatrics has Let’s Go! posters with the 5-2-1-0 message for daily behavior change in patient waiting rooms and all exam rooms; providers determine patients’ body mass indexes, percentiles and weight classifications; and providers use the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Habits Questionnaire at well-child visits as a tool to have a respectful conversation around healthy eating and active living.

Having clinical social workers alongside health care providers is a new model being used at Franklin Health primary care medical practices. Social workers perform behavioral health services on the spot, as well as by primary doctor referral, providing assessment and diagnosis, and brief counseling for patients of all ages. Your doctor or nurse may ask you to take a moment to meet our practice’s social worker.

Social Worker Services

Provide assessment, diagnosis, education, and therapeutic interventions to help identify strengths, access supports, and increase coping skills to better meet patients' needs.

Connections to Resources

Connect you to needed resources including crisis services, case management, long-term therapy, medication management, support groups, substance abuse services, and children’s services.

Conditions Treated

Social workers assess and treat a wide range of emotional and behavioral health concerns such as:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood disorders
  • Relationship issues
  • Trauma experiences
  • Grief and loss
  • Attention issues
  • Disruptive behaviors
  • Child developmental issues
  • School-based performance concerns
  • Identity issues
  • Substance abuse
  • Chronic illness
  • Phase of life issues

Your Baby’s Growing Teeth

Most kids start to get their baby teeth when they are between 6-10 months old. By the time they are 2 years old they should have all 20 baby teeth.

Kids should have their first visit with a dentist by their first birthday. It helps to start a relationship with a dentist early so that it is part of your child’s normal routine.

Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay:

  • Before your infant gets their first tooth, try to clean their gums once a day with a soft, clean, damp cloth. This gets your baby comfortable with the feeling.
  • Don’t share spoons and cups with your baby.
  • Don’t clean your baby’s pacifier with your mouth.
  • If you put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill it with water only. Milk, formula, juices, soda and breast milk all have sugar in them that can puddle around a sleeping baby’s teeth, causing tooth decay.

Protect your child's teeth with these 3 easy steps:

  • Brush two times a day with fluoride toothpaste. Use a thin smear of toothpaste for children under three years of age and a pea-size amount for kids over three years old.
  • Serve your child a healthy diet, and keep them away from sugary drinks and snacks.
  • Ask about fluoride varnish the next time you visit your child's doctor or dentist. Fluoride varnish can prevent or even reverse tooth decay.

What is Fluoride varnish?

Fluoride varnish is extra protection for your child's teeth. The application of fluoride just takes a few minutes for your child's doctor or dentist to apply. It is put on your child’s teeth with a soft brush. The varnish dries quickly and kids like the fruity taste. After the fluoride varnish is put on, follow your health care provider's instructions.

Kids who get at least four treatments of fluoride varnish before their fourth birthday are less likely to have cavities. Kids who get fluoride varnish at earlier ages benefit even more.