Lake Forest Pediatrics

10/10/2025

At Lake Forest Pediatrics, your family is our priority.
Our board-certified pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and dedicated staff are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care at every visit. We truly value the trust you place in us.

10/10/2025

Experience Lake Forest Pediatrics!

💕 Meet Dr. Katie Hidaka — Your Partner in the Journey to Motherhood

Pregnancy is one of life’s most beautiful transitions — and at Lake Forest Pediatrics, Dr. Katie Hidaka is here to ensure every new mom feels informed, supported, and empowered from the very beginning. 🌸

With years of expertise in prenatal care and breastfeeding support, Dr. Hidaka combines clinical knowledge with a compassionate touch that helps expecting parents feel truly seen and understood. Her prenatal visits offer the perfect opportunity to ask questions, discuss newborn care, and build trust before your baby arrives.

✨ Now Announcing a Special Event!
Join Dr. Hidaka for a FREE Prenatal & Breastfeeding Class on Wednesday, December 3rd at 6:30 PM in our Lake Bluff conference room.
This intimate, hour-long session will feature expert insights, practical guidance, and an open Q&A to prepare you for your baby’s arrival.

📱 Space is limited!
Scan the QR Code in the image below to reserve your spot today before the class fills up.

🤰 Want a more personalized experience?
You can also schedule a prenatal visit with Dr. Hidaka at Lake Forest Pediatrics — where great care begins long before your baby is born. 💗

10/08/2025

Children grow and develop so quickly that it can be easy to miss signs of health concerns especially with vision and hearing. Even minor issues can impact learning, development, and daily life.

At Lake Forest Pediatric Associates, our board-certified pediatricians provide thorough and gentle vision and hearing screenings for children of all ages. Early detection is key, and routine screenings help ensure your child is prepared to thrive at home, school, and beyond.

📍 With offices in Lake Bluff, Lindenhurst, and Vernon Hills, we proudly serve families in North Chicago and surrounding areas. Schedule your child’s screening today by calling (847) 295-1220 or requesting an appointment online.

Regular hearing and vision checkups are important for young children. Contact Lake Forest Pediatric Associates today schedule a screening in northern IL.

10/08/2025

🌟 Big News from Lake Forest Pediatrics! 🌟

We are beyond thrilled to celebrate our very own Dr. Jennifer Bevan, who has been appointed as Vice President of the Children’s Community Physicians Association (CCPA) — a tremendous honor recognizing her leadership, expertise, and lifelong commitment to pediatric excellence. 👏💙

Dr. Bevan’s journey is one defined by passion, purpose, and heart. A proud graduate of Northwestern University’s Honors Program in Medical Education, she earned her B.A. in Molecular Biology (1992) and her M.D. from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (1996) before completing her residency at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in 1999. That same year, she joined Lake Forest Pediatrics — and for over 25 years, she has been the heart of our team, bringing laughter, compassion, and “fun” to every patient encounter.

When asked about her approach to care, Dr. Bevan summed it up perfectly:
💬 “Make it fun. Approaching kids who are scared or feeling crummy can be a challenge, but it goes better if you can try to find the fun.”

Known for her kindness, mentorship, and deep connection with families, Dr. Bevan embodies what makes Lake Forest Pediatrics so special — teamwork, empathy, and a true love for children.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Bevan on this well-deserved recognition! Her leadership within CCPA will continue to inspire excellence in pediatric medicine across our entire community. 🌿👶💫

10/06/2025

🌟 WEEKLY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: KAYLA 🌟
Medical Office Assistant & Scheduling Coordinator | 13 Years of Unwavering Commitment

As we continue our Weekly Spotlight series—designed to honor the incredible faces behind the care, coordination, and compassion that define Lake Forest Pediatrics—it’s an honor to introduce someone who may not always be in the spotlight, but whose impact echoes across every schedule, every family interaction, and every single day.

Meet Kayla—our incredible Medical Office Assistant and Scheduling Coordinator, who has been part of the LFPA family for the past 13 years.

What began as a desire to find a “steady 9-to-5” role quickly became so much more. Kayla found a place to grow, to belong, and to lead with heart. She now manages the complex scheduling of over 20 providers—balancing the needs of families, doctors, and staff with a calm determination and detail-driven focus that only someone truly devoted could sustain.

“I wanted to find a place I’d never have to leave—and I did.”

That one line says it all. It speaks to the culture we strive for—and the people like Kayla who help make it real.

She is deeply respected by her peers, adored by the families she interacts with, and admired for her grace under pressure. She doesn’t ask for recognition, yet she deserves it every single day. The trust we place in her to keep the wheels of care turning is not taken lightly—and she handles it with humility and heart.

When she’s not making miracles happen at work, you’ll find Kayla unwinding with country music, taking part in wine walks, indulging in a perfect filet mignon, and keeping up with her favorite reality TV shows. Her advice to the world?

“Always do what is right, not what is easy.”

And she lives that message every day.

Kayla, thank you for your loyalty, your grit, your laughter, and your leadership behind the scenes. You are a cornerstone of what makes LFPA feel like home—for staff and for families alike.

10/06/2025

Flu Season is Here! Think your healthy child doesn’t need a flu shot? Or that the shot can give them the flu?

At Lake Forest Pediatric Associates, we’re separating facts from myths so you can make the best decision for your child’s health. Vaccination protects your child and your community and it’s never too late to get it!

📖 Read our full article:

Protect your child this flu season with Lake Forest Pediatric Associates. Learn the facts about flu shots and why they’re essential for your family’s health.

10/05/2025

💙 Employee of the Month: October 2025

Honoring Nurse Fran Sauer – A Legacy of Heart, Healing, and Humanity

It is both a celebration and a bittersweet farewell that we recognize Nurse Fran Sauer as our Employee of the Month for October — the very month she concludes her remarkable 31-year journey with Lake Forest Pediatrics.

There are few moments in the life of an organization that feel as profoundly moving as this one. Fran’s story isn’t just about years of service — it’s about a lifetime of compassion, consistency, and quiet heroism that has touched generations of families. From her earliest days in 1994, when she first called from the Yellow Pages and serendipitously stepped into a role meant just for her, Fran became not only a cornerstone of our practice but also a heartbeat of our culture.

Before nursing, Fran spent a decade as a preschool teacher — an early glimpse into the soul of someone who was destined to dedicate her life to children. That instinct to nurture, comfort, and empower has defined her career. Whether soothing a nervous toddler before a vaccine, calming an anxious parent, or simply sharing a laugh with a child, Fran has always embodied the phrase she lives by:

“Treat every child and family like they are the most important person at that moment in time.”

For 31 years, she has done just that — day after day, moment by moment — shaping countless care experiences that reflect the very essence of our Mission, Vision, and Values.

Fran lives our Mission through compassion that never wavers, our Vision through teamwork that uplifts, and our Values through empathy that inspires. She has shown every one of us what it means to take personal ownership of the care experience, to make excellence feel effortless, and to build relationships grounded in trust and humanity.

Her colleagues describe her as steady, kind, and endlessly generous — the kind of teammate who makes you feel like family. Her laughter has filled our hallways; her reliability has anchored our clinics; her compassion has healed not just our patients, but the people who work beside her. It’s hard to imagine Lake Forest Pediatrics without her, because in so many ways, she is Lake Forest Pediatrics.

As she steps into her well-deserved retirement, Fran leaves behind a legacy of care that will continue to ripple through every patient, parent, and peer she has touched. We hope she carries with her the same warmth, laughter, and joy she has given us for over three decades — and that every future chapter is filled with the peace and fulfillment she so deeply deserves.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Fran, for 31 extraordinary years of dedication, kindness, and love. You have shown us that pediatric nursing isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling, and you answered it with everything you had.

On behalf of the entire Lake Forest Pediatrics family —
We celebrate you.
We thank you.
And we will never forget you. 💙

10/02/2025

🎃👻 Boo to the Flu! 🩺

The best way to protect your child from the flu this season is with a flu vaccine. Vaccination helps prevent serious illness and keeps your little ones healthy for all the fun fall activities ahead. Call (847) 295-1220 today to schedule your child’s flu shot or sick visit we’re here to keep them feeling their best!

09/30/2025

Well Child visits are an important part of your child’s health journey. These visits allow our pediatricians to track growth, monitor development, provide important immunizations, and answer your questions about nutrition, sleep, and behavior.

📅 If it’s been a year since your child’s last check-up, it’s time to schedule their Well Child visit!

Be sure your child is healthy and on schedule for their immunizations with an exam from Lake Forest Pediatric Associates.

09/30/2025

🌟 WEEKLY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: GLORIA 🌟
Medical Office Assistant | 25 Years with LFPA

As we continue our Weekly Spotlight Initiative to highlight the incredible individuals who make Lake Forest Pediatrics the special place it is, we’re proud to introduce another familiar face—one that has welcomed patients and families for over two decades with warmth and dedication.

Today, we shine the spotlight on Gloria, one of our longest-standing team members and a vital part of the front desk experience at LFPA. With 25 years of service, Gloria has witnessed the growth of our practice, our community, and countless families who return to us year after year.

Gloria’s journey to LFPA began in 2000 when her family moved from the city to Lake County. With a background spanning medical, nonprofit, and insurance settings, she brought a strong foundation of professionalism and compassion to our team. Since then, she’s remained a steady presence through evolving systems, busy seasons, and a fast-changing healthcare landscape.

When asked what keeps her going, Gloria shared:

“My coworkers, nurses, providers, and the atmosphere… and watching our patients grow up.”

It’s this sense of continuity and care that makes Gloria’s impact so meaningful. She’s proud of enduring all the changes over the years (including tech transitions!) and continues to learn and grow—while also raising three wonderful adult children, whom she considers her greatest personal accomplishment.

Outside of work, Gloria loves to walk, soak in the sun, and travel. Her favorite comfort meal? Steak, baked potato, salad, and pasta—topped off with one of Laura’s famous pumpkin cookies, of course. Her playlist is packed with timeless hits from the Eagles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Boston, and Jackson 5. And fun fact: Gloria played volleyball and basketball in high school and even joined a traveling volleyball team!

A few more things that make her one-of-a-kind:
👩‍👧‍👦 She’s the eldest of 46 first cousins
🎧 She always has 70s and 80s classics on repeat
✋ Her pet peeve? When people don’t respect others’ boundaries
💬 And the advice she lives by:

“Let your smile change the world. But don’t let the world change your smile.”

Gloria, thank you for your loyalty, resilience, and the grounded presence you bring to LFPA every day. You’ve helped shape countless first impressions and warm welcomes—and we’re honored to celebrate this milestone with you.

09/26/2025

It’s not too late to schedule your child’s annual school and sports physical! These check-ups ensure your child is healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations, and ready for the school year ahead. At Lake Forest Pediatrics, we make the process quick, thorough, and stress-free.

Call today to book your child’s appointment and start the year strong!

If your child needs a physical in northern Illinois, contact Lake Forest Pediatrics today to schedule an appointment.