Ideal Pediatric & Adolescent Care

01/07/2026

PRACTICE CLOSURE NOTICE

AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, IDEAL PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT CARE, P.C. WILL PERMANENTLY CLOSE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 31, 2026.

IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO CARE FOR YOUR CHILD AND FAMILY, AND I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE TRUST YOU HAVE PLACED IN ME OVER THE YEARS.

CONTINUITY OF CARE

FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE PRACTICE, I WILL CONTINUE PRACTICING PEDIATRICS AT:

UPMC PRIMARY CARE – LEWISBURG
2370 OLD TURNPIKE ROAD, SUITE 1
LEWISBURG, PA 17837
PHONE: (570) 551-0191

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE A DETAILED LETTER BY MAIL LATER THIS WEEK WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING
CONTINUITY OF CARE AND MEDICAL RECORDS.
THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AT THIS TIME.

Warm Regards,
MARY BETH O’HARA, DO, FAAP

12/23/2025

🎄✨ Happy Holidays from Our Practice! ✨🎄
We would like to wish all of our patients and families a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year.
📅 Office Closures
Our office will be closed on:
• December 24
• December 25
• January 1
🩺 Care Options While We’re Closed
If your child needs care while our office is closed, please choose the option that best fits their needs:

✅ Telehealth Visits:
Virtual visits with a board-certified pediatrician are available at
👉 www.hellopediatrics.com
✅ Urgent Care:
For urgent but non-emergency concerns, please visit a local urgent care center.
🚨 Emergency Care:
For serious or life-threatening conditions, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Thank you for trusting us with your child’s care. We are grateful to serve your family and look forward to continuing care in the New Year.
Call our office for any heath needs even during the closure dates.

🎁 Happy Holidays and warm wishes for a blessed year ahead!

08/05/2025

BACK TO SCHOOL=BACK TO GERMS! 🤢
As kids head back to the classroom sniffles and fevers follow. I am excited to partner either Hello Pediatrics, a trusted Telemedicine service that connects you with a board-certified pediatrician 👩‍⚕️when our office is closed or same day sick appointments have filled. Best of all is the communication with our office so your Ideal team always stays in the loop!

07/01/2025

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from Ideal Pediatrics! 🎆

We hope your day is filled with sunshine, celebration, and sweet moments with family! ❤️

As we take this holiday to rest and spend time with our own loved ones, we want to remind you that your child's health is still just a click away.

✨ Telehealth is available on July 4th and ALL weekend with a board-certified pediatricians I know and trust—ready to support your children and provide the care they need, just like we would.

👉 Visit www.HelloPediatrics.com to schedule a same-day virtual visit.

We’re so grateful for your understanding as our amazing staff enjoys this well-deserved break with their families. Thank you for supporting us as we continue to care for yours.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy 4th!
💙❤️ Dr. O'Hara & the Ideal Pediatric Team

03/07/2025

🌸☀️ Spring Forward to Sunshine & Smiles! ☀️🌸

Happy almost spring, everyone! This weekend, don’t forget to spring forward as we set our clocks ahead ⏰—and what better way to celebrate than with some sunshine and fresh air?! 🌿☀️

With warmer days ahead, it’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy some Vitamin D, and let the kids run, play, and explore! The best news? Viral season is finally lifting 🙌, and we’re heading into brighter, healthier days!

So, grab those sneakers, head outdoors, and soak up the beautiful weekend ahead! 🌼💛

Be well,
Dr. O'Hara

02/07/2025

I am thrilled to announce that our pediatric practice is now ready to welcome new families. 💙 From routine checkups to sick visits our dedicated team is here to provide compassionate expert care for your children. If you are looking for a warm family friendly practice that puts your child's health first, we'd love to meet you. Call us today to schedule an appointment 570-551-0300. To our families on our waitlist, we appreciate your patience and our staff will be reaching out to schedule your children! We cannot wait to be part of your child's health care journey.
Dr. O'Hara

12/23/2024

Happy Holidays from your Ideal Team

To our wonderful patients and families,
We wish you a season filled with love, joy and good health. Thank you for trusting us with your care this year-it is truly an honor to watch your little ones grow and thrive.

Please note our holiday schedule:

We are closed 12/24, 12,25 and 1/1 to allow our team to celebrate with their loved one.

If you need urgent assistance, our partner, Hello Pediatrics is available to assist you.

We look forward to seeing you soon. Stay warm and enjoy this special time of the year.

Dr. O'Hara

12/13/2024

We have exciting news! Hello Pediatrics, our partner, now offers telemedicine appointments till midnight 7 days a week.
Visit hellopediatrics.com to book an appointment with a board-certified pediatrician when our office is closed. Avoid an unnecessary trip to the ER or urgent care this holiday season!

11/27/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our Team! To all our wonderful patients and their families, we are so grateful to be part of your journey and care. This Thanksgiving we wish you a day filled with love, joy and gratitude. PLEASE NOTE OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28 through SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST.

08/16/2024

Back-to-School Tips from Dr. Mary Beth O'Hara, DO

Hello, wonderful parents!

As we gear up for another exciting school year, I wanted to share some helpful tips to ensure your children have a healthy and successful start. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Routine is Key: Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine now to help your child adjust smoothly when school starts. Adequate sleep is crucial for their growth, learning, and overall well-being.

Healthy Nutrition: A balanced diet fuels your child's brain and body. Encourage a nutritious breakfast each morning and pack healthy snacks and lunches. Think fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein!

Stay Hydrated: Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps with concentration and energy levels.

Immunizations and Health Checks: Make sure your child's immunizations are up-to-date and schedule any necessary medical check-ups. A healthy start is the best start!

Hand Hygiene: Teach your child the importance of washing their hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the restroom. This simple habit can prevent many illnesses.

Mental Health Matters: Talk to your child about their feelings and anxieties regarding the new school year. Encourage open communication and be supportive to help them manage stress and build resilience.

Homework and Study Habits: Create a quiet, well-lit space for your child to do their homework. Establish a routine that includes time for study, play, and rest.

Physical Activity: Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This can include sports, playtime, or even a family walk. Physical activity boosts mood and concentration.

Screen Time: Limit screen time and ensure it doesn’t interfere with sleep, physical activity, or homework. Set boundaries and encourage other engaging activities.

Safety First: Remind your child about safety rules, whether they’re walking, biking, or taking the bus to school. Teach them to be aware of their surroundings and follow the school’s safety guidelines.

Wishing all our students a happy, healthy, and successful school year!

Warm regards,

Dr. Mary Beth O'Hara, DO

11/30/2023

Experiencing sleep regression with your infant can be one of the most frustrating setbacks as an exhausted new parent. However, this period is completely normal and doesn't mean that anything is wrong with your baby's health or with your parenting. The good news is, this typical regression period usually only lasts for 2-6 weeks (although this can vary). Some best practices to follow during this time are to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat, continue to implement a sleep schedule as best you can, and gently encourage your baby to self-soothe when appropriate and safe. Above all, remember to be patient with your baby and with yourself!

As always, if you have any additional concerns during this period or notice anything abnormal in your infant's sleeping patterns, please call our office.

"Sleep regression can occur any time during the early years of life...The most common regression period seems to be the 4-month sleep regression. This is because baby starts to develop an internal clock at this age that tells them when to wake up and when to go to sleep. Things like developing motor skills and teething can greatly impact baby’s sleep. As they achieve new milestones, they may experience sleep regressions."

Sleep regression is when a baby who once had a good sleep pattern reverts back to having frequent wake-ups, crying during the night, or has difficulty falling asleep.

11/29/2023

Flying with your baby this holiday season? It's important that you keep your infant safe on aircrafts using an FAA-approved car seat or an airplane harness device. Additionally, if you're traveling with formula or breastmilk, be prepared to let TSA know ahead of time and plan extra time for them to inspect it.

Read this guide for additional tips on ideal seating, activities, and distractions, and other questions you may have about traveling via jet with your baby.

"Generally, you should avoid flying with your newborn until they are at least 7 days old. Ideally, wait until your baby is two or three months old to fly. Air travel (and being in crowded airports) can increase a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease."

Babies and air travel can both be unpredictable, and they don't always mix well. But some advanced planning and preparation can help make for a better experience for your baby, for you, and for everyone else on the plane. ​Get answers here to some questions you may have before traveling with yo...