Dartmouth Health Children's

01/24/2026

🐾 Mav here! I got to spend some time with our PainFree Program team. We understand that medical procedures can be scary and stressful for children. Our PainFree Program works to individualize each child’s experience to meet their needs and minimize their fears and concerns. Staffed by specially trained nurses, a child life specialist and our anesthesia team, this team works together to make the best plan to support kids through short procedures and testing. Learn more about our pain free program here https://childrens.dartmouth-health.org/painfree?utm_campaign=SS&utm_content=1769257020&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

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Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Dartmouth Health

01/23/2026

❄️ Weather Update for Manchester, Concord and Nashua Patients

Please take note of these important schedule changes due to the forecasted winter storm.

01/21/2026

We’re seeing more serious flu cases this season, even some leading to death. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the flu shot. It’s recommended for everyone 6 months and older, especially kids, caregivers, and anyone around little ones.

Keep up those flu-fighting habits too:
🧼 Wash your hands often
🧪 Use hand sanitizer when needed
🏡 Stay home if you’re feeling sick

Link to more information on the Flu Vaccine in the comments.

01/18/2026

In addition to seasonal vaccines like the flu shot, how do we protect one another from getting sick? Winnie and Mav have a few tips:

🧼 Hand hygiene: Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or blowing noses.
😷 Wear a mask when recommended: Follow your child’s healthcare team’s guidance on masking, vaccines, and when to seek care if breathing symptoms or fevers worsen.
🤧 Cover your cough and sneezes: Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, then throw tissues away and clean hands right after.
🏠Stay home when sick: Keep children home and away from group settings when they have a fever, significant cough, or other symptoms of illness so they can rest and avoid spreading germs.

For additional information on ways to stay health, vaccine recommendations and respiratory season best practices visit https://childrens.dartmouth-health.org/kids-health?utm_campaign=SS&utm_content=1768757520&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

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Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester

01/17/2026

2016 - The 8th Annual Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship 🚓🏆🚒

Ten years later, the competition is still going strong! Who’s claiming the 2026 title this time — Team Police or Team Fire?

📅 Don’t miss it: Sunday March 15, 2026 at 1pm
📍SNHU Arena
🎫 chadhockey.org

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Dartmouth Health Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Concord Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Nashua

01/14/2026

Trimming a baby's nails can be nerve-wracking for parents, who fear hurting their baby's small fingers, but it is an essential task to prevent scratching. Dr. Zoe Frokling shares some tips for how newborns can make the nail trimming process easier.

01/10/2026

🐾 Mav here! Kids with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers don’t have to do this alone. Every three months, our diabetes team turns clinic life into community life at our T1D support group. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with others who are living with Type 1 diabetes, share struggles and triumphs, and have a little fun with their care team!

The adults chat with our social worker, while I partner with our diabetes educator and dietician to work with the kids. we play games, swap diagnosis stories and talk about their favorite diabetes snacks. At our last meeting, we made little animals with T1D and bedazzled syringes, turning something scary into something sparkly. I “supervised” from my nap spot in the middle, always ready for a quick snuggle break.

Having a chronic illness like diabetes can make life feel extra hard and lonely, but my friends say that going to group helps them feel less alone.

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Dartmouth Health Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

01/09/2026

🌟 Chelsae Conners, the Unit Nurse Manager from the Medical ICU (MICU), recently accepted an award from the Dartmouth Health Children's Family Advisory Board, recognizing the work that she and her team did to help make an extraordinary new therapy possible for our sickest children.

Last year, the Pediatric ICU (PICU) set out to bring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), a gentler form of dialysis that does the work of the kidneys by slowly filtering the blood, to the small unit, where it had never been done before. From day one, the MICU stood beside the PICU team, helping build policies, welcoming shadow shifts, training 12 PICU nurses, and sending MICU nurses to the PICU so kids needing CRRT can stay right where they belong, surrounded by pediatric specialists and family.

This award is more than a frame on a wall; it is a tribute to partnership, shared expertise, and the generosity that brought CRRT to the PICU.

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Dartmouth Health
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

01/08/2026

The CDC’s new vaccine schedule has changed, and we know that can feel confusing. What hasn’t changed is the strong science behind these vaccines or our commitment to your child’s health.

Along with the NH Department of Health and Human Services and Vermont Department of Health, Dartmouth Health Children's will continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ full vaccine recommendations to protect children from preventable diseases. If you have questions or concerns, your child’s pediatrician is here to discuss options with you and help you decide what’s best for your family.

01/07/2026

Think of your relationship with your child like a bank account: every positive moment is a deposit, every consequence is a withdrawal. When kids and teens feel heard, praised, and noticed for the good things they do, your relationship balance stays in the positive. Each time you really listen without jumping in with criticism, or say “great job helping your sister,” you’re building that positive foundation. Then, when you need to be the disciplinarian and give a consequence, your child is more likely to accept it, because they already feel valued, loved, and understood.

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Dartmouth Health Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

01/03/2026

January is , and Winnie is here to show how brave blood draws can be. During procedures like blood draws, facility dogs help kids feel calmer, lower anxiety, and bring a little joy to an otherwise stressful moment. Sometimes just having a furry friend to pet can help steady breathing, distract from pokes, and make the experience feel a lot less scary.
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🩸Fun fact: before she and Maverick started working at the hospital, they were able to donate blood to help other dogs in need, just like human blood donors help patients every day.

If you’re eligible, consider rolling up your sleeve this National Blood Donor Month. Your donation can help save lives, and our patients (and pups!) are so grateful.

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Dartmouth Health Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

01/02/2026

Congratulations to Bridget Boss, BSN, RN in Pediatric Cardiology on receiving the Deirdre Sheets and Bridget Mudge Patient-and Family-Centered Care Nursing Award for Outpatient Pediatrics!

Nominated by both Erin Pike, RN in Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester and Nicole Tadlock, RN at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for her incredible work guiding families through diagnoses for 30+ years across Manchester and Lebanon!

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Dartmouth Health

Congratulations to Bridget Boss, BSN, RN (Dartmouth Health Children's Pediatric Cardiology), who was presented with the Deirdre Sheets and Bridget Mudge Patient-and Family-Centered Care Nursing Award for Outpatient Pediatrics!

Bridget was nominated by both Erin Pike, RN in Manchester and Nicole Tadlock, RN at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for the exceptional ways that she supports patients and families in coming to terms with their child’s diagnosis and remaining in partnership with them to support their decision-making.

Bridget has worked for Dartmouth Health for over 30 years and has supported Manchester and Lebanon, and she was presented with the award here at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester. 🎉