Next Step Pediatrics

Next Step Pediatrics Dr. Jeffries Bucci & Dr. Melissa E. Lancer
Towson: 7600 Osler Dr. Ste 311
Parkton: 214 Mt. Carmel Rd Carmel Rd. Parkton, MD 21120
Phone number: 410-296-2300

We are a well established six practitioner pediatric practice in Northern Baltimore County with offices in Towson and Parkton, Maryland. Providers include Dr. Jeffries Bucci, Dr. Melissa Lancer, and nurse practitioners Charlotte Chudy CPNP-PC, Samantha Gerding CPNP-PC, and Emily Delfino, DNP, CPNP-PC/AC. The practice welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans. Please feel free to reque

st a complimentary 'meet the doc' visit by calling the main office. Our Towson Office is 7600 Osler Drive, Suite 311 Towson Maryland 21204
Phone number: 410-296-2300
Our Parkton office is located at 214 Mt.

We’re hiring!Our busy pediatric practice in Towson & Parkton, Maryland is looking for an experienced Office Manager to j...
04/28/2026

We’re hiring!

Our busy pediatric practice in Towson & Parkton, Maryland is looking for an experienced Office Manager to join our team.

If you’re organized, a strong leader, and thrive in a fast-paced medical environment, we’d love to meet you. This role is key to keeping our offices running smoothly while helping us deliver great care to our patients and families.

✨ What we’re looking for:
• Medical office management experience (pediatrics a plus)
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities with ease

✨ What you’ll do:
• Oversee daily operations across both locations
• Support and manage staff
• Help create an efficient, positive patient experience

📍 Locations: Towson & Parkton, MD

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them or share this post!

To apply, send your resume
nextsteppeds@gmail.com

We’re excited to share that beginning May 2, our weekend hours will be extended from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM!These appointmen...
04/24/2026

We’re excited to share that beginning May 2, our weekend hours will be extended from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM!

These appointments are available for both well visits and same-day sick visits. Please note that all weekend appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling our office—we do not offer walk-in hours on weekends.

We’re happy to provide more availability to better care for your family!

What are we seeing this week? Tick bites!WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?Lyme disease is an infection spread by deer ticks. The mos...
04/17/2026

What are we seeing this week? Tick bites!

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?
Lyme disease is an infection spread by deer ticks. The most common early sign is a red rash called erythema migrans that appears 1-2 weeks after a tick bite. While often described as a "bull's-eye," the rash is usually just uniformly red and expands over several days. Other early symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and joint pain.

HOW TO PREVENT TICK BITES:
--After kids play outside, check their skin and hair — especially the scalp, behind the ears, around the neck, in the eyebrows and eyelashes, and under the arms.
--When playing in wooded areas, kids should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and tuck pant legs into their socks.
--Use an insect repellent with at least 10% to 30% DEET for protection against bites and stings.
--Clothes also can be treated with a specific insecticide (like permethrin) to help prevent bites.
--Wash kids' skin with soap and water when they come back inside. --If you've been in an area with ticks, wash all clothes in hot water and tumble dry on high heat before they're worn again.

HOW TO REMOVE A TICK:
Remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping close to the skin and pulling straight out. Do not twist or rock the tick from side to side, wait for it to let go. Clean the area with soap and water or alcohol to disinfect.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR:
--Your child has had a tick bite, especially if the tick might have been on the skin for more than 24 hours. (Sometimes we prescribe a preventive dose of antibiotics for kids at high risk for Lyme disease.
--A rash of any kind develops (especially a red-ringed bull's-eye rash or red dots on wrists and ankles).
--The bite area looks infected (increasing warmth, swelling, pain, or oozing pus).
--Your child gets symptoms like a fever, headache, tiredness, stiff neck or back, joint swelling, or muscle or joint aches.
--Your child has facial paralysis (can’t move areas of the face).

Wishing our nurse practitioner, Charlotte, all the best as she begins an exciting new chapter! You will truly be missed ...
04/13/2026

Wishing our nurse practitioner, Charlotte, all the best as she begins an exciting new chapter! You will truly be missed here, but we know you’re going to do amazing things in your new position.

Good luck on your next adventure. We’re cheering you on every step of the way!

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Sesame Street in Communities offers amazing resources to help families discover, suppo...
04/01/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Sesame Street in Communities offers amazing resources to help families discover, support and share the amazing in all children!

Follow the link for more info: https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/autism/

QUICK SICK VISITSFor those illnesses that pop up overnight quick sick visits are offered in both offices on weekdays:MON...
03/30/2026

QUICK SICK VISITS
For those illnesses that pop up overnight quick sick visits are offered in both offices on weekdays:
MONDAYS: 8-930am
TUESDAY-FRIDAY 815-930.

Quick sick visits are designed for: minor, new-onset illnesses that typically develop overnight—especially to help working parents decide if their child can attend school or daycare.
Examples include:
--Fever
--Ear pain or suspected ear infection
--Eye redness or discharge (e.g. pink eye)
--Vomiting
--New cough or cold symptoms
--Sore throat
--Rash
--Possible urinary tract infection (UTI)

Quick sick visits are NOT intended for:
--New patients to our practice
--Medication checks (ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.)
--Well checks, sports physicals, or annual exams
--Chronic conditions or constipation
--Follow-up visits for ongoing concerns

TODDLERS DIARRHEA WHAT IS IT: Toddlers diarrhea is not caused by illness or underlying disease. It affects children from...
03/25/2026

TODDLERS DIARRHEA
WHAT IS IT: Toddlers diarrhea is not caused by illness or underlying disease. It affects children from 6 months to 5 years of age and can cause 3 to 10 loose stools per day. The stool is frequently watery or loose and may also contain food particles, although it should not contain blood. Despite the diarrhea, the child continues to grow and gain weight as long as the diet contains enough calories. The child is active and has a normal appetite.

WHAT CAUSES IT? The cause is not exactly known but believed to be due to intestinal contents moving quickly through the colon of children with toddler’s diarrhea. This decreases the amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the body.

HOW TO TREAT IT?
--Avoid sweet drinks with sorbitol or fructose. Your child should not receive more than 4–6 ounces per day.
--Avoid other sweetened clear liquids, such as juice. Give your child the recommended amount of milk for his or her age, and water as requested.
--Fiber supplements can sometimes add bulk to the stool.
--Increased dietary fat can decrease diarrhea.
--Other changes in the diet are usually unnecessary and can interfere with growth.
--Medications are rarely recommended and should only be used under a physician’s guidance.

Read more here: https://gikids.org/digestive-topics/diarrhea-in-toddlers/

Solid starts is a great resource that shows you how to serve 400+ foods at any age or stage, along with nutrition inform...
03/23/2026

Solid starts is a great resource that shows you how to serve 400+ foods at any age or stage, along with nutrition information, choking prevention and allergy information.

follow the link for the free database here: https://solidstarts.com/foods/?page=1

INCLEMENT WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT:Next Step Pediatrics will be closing early today at 2pm due to the impending storm. Stay ...
03/16/2026

INCLEMENT WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT:
Next Step Pediatrics will be closing early today at 2pm due to the impending storm.

Stay safe!

Did you know that about 42% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D? WHY DO KIDS NEED VITAMIN D?- Vitamin D supports bon...
03/11/2026

Did you know that about 42% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D?
WHY DO KIDS NEED VITAMIN D?- Vitamin D supports bone health. It ensures the body absorbs and retains enough calcium and phosphorus, both critical for building strong bones and preventing rickets. Vitamin D also plays a role in the immune system response and has been linked with mental health
HOW MUCH VITAMIN D SHOULD MY CHILD GET?
—babies younger than 12 months of age need 400 IU of vitamin D each day if they are breastfed or consuming less than 32 oz of fortified formula/milk daily.
—toddlers, older children, and adolescents need 600 IU of vitamin D daily.
HOW CAN MY CHILD GET VITAMIN D NATURALLY?
-In addition to vitamin supplements, enriched foods are another way to increase the vitamin D in your child’s diet. Look for foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, cereal, orange juice, yogurt and margarine. Vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods including salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, sh*take mushroom, and hard-boiled egg

Tips on keeping your baby comfortable and cheerful on a plane!-DRESS THEM IN LAYERS: Choose outfits that make diaper cha...
03/11/2026

Tips on keeping your baby comfortable and cheerful on a plane!
-DRESS THEM IN LAYERS: Choose outfits that make diaper changing in a small space easier. Pack a change of clothes (or even two) in case the plane rocks a little during diaper changes or feedings. Bring plastic bags for soiled diapers and clothing.

-PREPARE FOR EAR PAIN: Changes in air pressure during takeoff and landing can make your baby uncomfortable.
**Pro tip: Having babies drink from the breast or a bottle or suck on a pacifier during takeoff and landing can ease discomfort.

-REDUCE NOISE EXPOSURE: Airplane cabin noise reaches peak level during takeoff —and the racket might continue if you're next to the wings or in the back rows. Soft earplugs or noise-canceling headphones can reduce the load on your baby's delicate hearing system. (It may help them relax and sleep better, too.)

-CHANGE THIER DIAPER BEFORE BOARDING THE PLANE: A dry baby is a happy baby. Plan for delays and pack plenty of changing supplies! If your baby needs a fresh diaper in-flight, ask if the plane has a restroom changing table—or if there's an open area where you can spread out a little.

BRING PLAYTHINGS- Pack some toys and books and be ready to play with your baby the whole time. A tablet with videos can be a good backup if other playthings aren't doing the job. (Even though we don't encourage screen time for kids under 2, it can be a lifesaver during air travel—and it won't do serious harm to your baby.)

Follow the link for additional flying tips!
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Flying-with-Baby.aspx?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=69654055&gbraid=0AAAAADyMpZGlfXMTFzDT2qvUd0LvU4hNw&gclid=CjwKCAjwpcTNBhA5EiwAdO1S9ov0VyR8pjqZNBAKFsbeg-pmrGFRpYPM_53kYNiiKoZjD9BvNfzLjhoCIkgQAvD_BwE

Tooth brushing tips!-Start healthy habits when they are young! You can start brushing our child's teeth as soon as their...
03/04/2026

Tooth brushing tips!
-Start healthy habits when they are young! You can start brushing our child's teeth as soon as their first tooth comes in.
-Brush two times a day: typically after breakfast and before bed.
-Most kids need help with brushing until they are about 8 years old.
-Brushing teeth with toothpaste with fluoride is one of the most effective things parents can do to prevent cavities!
-Your child can start seeing a dentist once they are one, or 6 months after first tooth eruption.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Toothbrushing-Tips-for-Young-Children.aspx

Address

7600 Osler Drive, Ste 311
Towson, MD
21204

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+14102962300

Website

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We are a well established four practitioner pediatric practice in Northern Baltimore County with offices in Towson and Parkton, Maryland. Dr. Jeffries Bucci, Dr. Melissa Lancer, Samantha Myles, C.R.N.P and Kathleen Machoney, C.R.N.P. offer over 30 years of combined pediatric experience. The practice welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans. Please feel free to request a complimentary 'meet the doc' visit by calling the main office. Our Parkton office is located at 111 Mt. Carmel Rd./Ste. 500, behind to the pharmacy. The phone number for this location is 410-343-0900.