The Children's Clinic

04/24/2026

It's spring and finally time to dust off the bikes, scooters, roller skates, and skateboards and go outside! Make sure your child's helmet still fits and review safety rules before venturing out. The Anchorage Fire Department is giving away free helmets to children and teens.

🚴🚴‍♀️FREE BIKE HELMETS FOR KIDDOS🚴🚴‍♀️
In neighborhoods across the municipality bicycles are coming out of garages and sheds. Before your kid pedals off to explore, do they have a helmet? Starting today, all Anchorage Fire Department stations are stocked with donated bike helmets through Safe Kids Alaska. The helmets are available for children and teens at no cost. To obtain a free helmet, bring your child to your neighborhood fire station.

🗸 Child/teen must be present to ensure the helmet fits and can be adjusted, as needed
🗸 Free helmets are limited to stock on hand
🗸 These helmets are intended for those who could not otherwise obtain a bike helmet

This program is possible thanks to generous gifts to Providence Alaska Foundation from Kendall Auto Group and IMA Financial Group, Inc.. Additional thanks to the Anchorage Firefighters which provides support for the program.

Anchorage Fire Department: Serving our Community Before, During, and After an Emergency.


Safe Kids Worldwide

03/14/2026

From the desk of Dr. Shen:

My mom moved in with us just over 2 years ago due to health reasons. It was an unplanned move, and suddenly extracting her from her home, neighbors, friends, and relatives in California was a huge adjustment for her that she took in stride despite her age. It had been 43 years since we lived under the same roof. We’ve had a lot of reacquainting and catching up to do but it’s been a blessing to reminisce and make memories together again.

My mom is 91. She has lived through war, under foreign occupation, and has been uprooted from her “home” several times. Her remarkable ability to remain positive has carried her through multiple life changes. She has always adjusted, embraced new challenges, and thrived.

Living with her, I now appreciate her spirit and tenacity even more. The world is fascinating to her and she is determined to be part of all things new. Technology is an example. She still confuses Facebook and FaceTime, e-mail and texting, bluetooth and wifi, and somehow ends up with ten Mahjong and a dozen Solitaire apps on her phone (“I didn’t put them there!”). She is enthralled with CGI and AI and now shows me her phone and asks “Is this real?”

Despite her fascination with the new, some old beliefs and practices are so ingrained in her that nothing I say will ever change her mind. She told me when I was little (and she still insists that it’s true) that I shouldn’t run or exercise after eating or else I would get appendicitis. Imagine my surprise when I found out during pathology class in medical school that this was not true.
Babies should sleep on their stomachs. Don’t take a bath when you are sick. Wet hair will destroy your brain. “Ay-yah, wear more clothes, you will get pneumonia”. Don’t drink ice water (but Coke has to have ice). There are “yin” foods and “yang” foods - “need to balance”. Use the same napkin for an entire day (“don’t waste”). She is trying to withhold judgment on tattoos and piercing, only asking “But doesn’t it hurt?”

Mom is still sharp as a tack. Her wit and sense of humor have not dulled. She is interested in everything and everyone and still believes life is a blessing. After so many years in pediatrics, I have a new found appreciation for the wisdom and richness of the geriatric population and am grateful for the time my mom and I have together.

02/18/2026

Is your child sick?
We are usually able to see your child the same day for an acute illness. We also have in-office PCR testing for RSV, Influenza, COVID, and strep.

Remember: we are open Sundays from 11:00am-3:00pm.

01/24/2026

As national recommendations on vaccinations continue to change and evolve, we at TCC want our families to know:

* At TCC, we are committed to evidence-based, child-centered care.

* We have not changed our vaccine schedule or policy.

* We will continue to follow the schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics which is rooted on decades of scientific research and safety data.

* We will continue to partner with families to protect and optimize the health of our patients.

12/31/2025

Dear TCC Families,

After 20+ years of caring for our wonderful patients and families, I am excited to share that I will be taking a hiatus from doctoring. Finding myself an empty nester and sharing my life with a significant other who is "solar charged", I will be taking a winter away to rest, recharge, reconnect with family and explore several of our more sun-drenched states.

I will be out of the office from January 1 through April 30, 2026. I am deeply thankful to my trusted partners and colleagues who are remaining behind to make sure you continue to receive exceptional pediatric care. You may hear several new names when calling to schedule. I encourage you to meet with Dr. Gerke or Dr. Olnes in my absence. Of course, Doctors Shen and Schafer will be here, too. If you're lucky, you may even snag a coveted spot on Dr. Tulip's or Dr. Jacob's limited schedule.

I look forward to returning in May and would love to pick up where we left off. In the meantime, I plan to trade in my hockey stick for a pickleball paddle and log a lot of miles on my bike! Please stay healthy and active until then.

Jeanette Legenza, MD

12/31/2025

Happy New Year to you and your family!

We are available for limited hours over New Year's.
Our triage nurse is available via our phone tree at (907) 562-2944 option 4. You can also find helpful information on our website at www.TCCpeds.com.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

We are available for limited hours over Christmas.
Should you need assistance when we are closed, our after hours triage nurse is available via our phone tree at (907) 562-2944 option 4. You can also find helpful information on our website at www.TCCpeds.com.

12/17/2025

Dr. Legenza is sharing this important article with our families.

Amid growing fear around seed oils, the science says balance — not elimination — is key to supporting health. Since the 1960s one shot of vitamin K for newborn babies has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the nation’s leading group for baby doctors. It helps babies clot t...

11/01/2025

A resource for our families who are struggling.

Find a location where you can get free food today in Anchorage Alaska. There are several free food pantry locations in Anchorage.

10/31/2025

As we all prepare for this evening, take a moment to read this article for a few tips and tricks.

​Costumes, pumpkins, trick-or-treat tips and more! ​Here is a great list from the AAP for a healthy and safe Halloween.

10/15/2025

COVID-19 Vaccine is here for TCC patients 6 months of age and older!

Call the office to schedule a nurse appointment 907-562-2944. We have appointments available during the week. COVID-19 vaccine appointments are not available on Sundays.

10/14/2025

Our very own Drs. Mary Ann Jacob and Susannah Olnes met up at the national AAP conference in Denver CO at the end of September. They wanted to share a photo of themselves with the bear wearing a stethoscope at the conference. They enjoyed a few days listening and keeping themselves up with current advances in medicine.