Western Wake Pediatrics PA

09/01/2026

Last weekend, our providers, Dr. Hannon, Dr. Lopez, Dr. Younes, and Dr. Tarasidis, attended the NC Peds Conference in Durham—spending time learning, connecting with other pediatric professionals, and bringing new knowledge and ideas back to Western Wake Pediatrics!

We’re especially proud that Dr. Hannon presented on lactation support, sharing her expertise and practical guidance with fellow pediatric providers.

And a special shoutout to Savannah Pressley, our lactation consultant, who assisted with the hands-on learning portion of the presentation!

Continuing education is an important part of providing the best care possible for our patients and families. We’re proud of our team for staying curious, staying current, and continuing to learn!

08/31/2026

Back-to-school tip for parents of teens!

Helping your teen succeed in school isn’t just about grades and homework. Sleep, healthy study habits, staying connected with their school, managing screen distractions, and encouraging effort over perfection can all make a difference.

Remember: your teen is becoming more independent, but they still need your support, encouragement, and guidance along the way.

The American Academy of Pediatrics shares practical tips to help your teen start the school year strong—including why 8–10 hours of sleep matters and how to create better homework and study routines.

📖 Read the full article for more tips: Back-to-school tip for parents of teens!

Helping your teen succeed in school isn’t just about grades and homework. Sleep, healthy study habits, staying connected with their school, managing screen distractions, and encouraging effort over perfection can all make a difference. 💙

Remember: your teen is becoming more independent, but they still need your support, encouragement, and guidance along the way.

The American Academy of Pediatrics shares practical tips to help your teen start the school year strong—including why 8–10 hours of sleep matters and how to create better homework and study routines.

📖 Read the full article for more tips: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/school/Pages/Helping-Your-Teen-Succeed-In-School.aspx

It’s your job as a parent to make sure that your teen is mentally prepared and alert, and takes good care of himself physically. The following strategies will help your child to be at his best come the morning bell.

08/28/2026

We're thrilled to introduce our new Behavioral Health Care Manager, Laura Anderson!

Laura Anderson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with ten years of experience working with and caring for children and adolescents. She is excited to bring her experience and passion for supporting children and families to WWP!

Laura was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and spent her high school years in Lake Forest, Illinois. She later moved to Utah, where she earned her degree in sociology, before making North Carolina her home. Laura received her MSW at The Catholic University of America. Following her graduate studies, she began working at Central Regional Hospital, where she spent several years supporting children in the inpatient psychiatric setting. Laura has continued working in a variety of roles focused on supporting children and adolescents. Throughout her career, she has particularly enjoyed helping young people develop the skills they need to navigate challenges, express themselves in healthy ways, and build confidence for the future. She also takes great pride in helping families connect with additional resources and providers when needed.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys playing in a local women's hockey league. She also enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, as well as reading, exercising, and traveling.

Laura is thrilled to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Western Wake Pediatrics and looks forward to working with children and families in the community. Please help us give Laura a big, warm welcome!

08/27/2026

Thank you, WWP families!

Our Little Free Library has been getting some wonderful new additions thanks to our generous families! We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated gently used books for our patients and families to enjoy.

There’s nothing better than sharing the joy of reading and giving a beloved book a new home!

Have books your family has outgrown? Drop them off at the office and help us keep our Little Free Library stocked and ready for our next reader.

Thank you for helping us build a community of readers, one book at a time! 📚

08/26/2026

Give your child the gift of reading with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library!

Through this incredible program, children from birth to age 5 can receive a FREE, age-appropriate book delivered right to their mailbox every month. The goal is simple: inspire a lifelong love of reading and help build strong early literacy skills. 📖💜

Availability varies by community, so we encourage all families to check if the program is offered in their area and sign up if eligible. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free books to children in participating communities through partnerships with local organizations and supporters.

Check availability and learn more here:
https://imaginationlibrary.com/

08/25/2026

Happy Black Breastfeeding Week! 🖤🤎

This Black Breastfeeding Week, we’re celebrating Black families, honoring Black breastfeeding journeys, and recognizing the importance of ensuring every parent has access to the support they need to meet their feeding goals. 🤱🏾

At Western Wake Pediatrics, we’re committed to creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment where every family can ask questions, get evidence-based guidance, and feel supported.

Black breastfeeding matters. Representation matters. Support matters.

08/18/2026

Social media trends can be entertaining, but some viral challenges can put kids and teens at serious risk of injury, poisoning—or worse. Teens are naturally curious and more likely to act impulsively, especially when likes, laughs and peer approval are involved.

As parents, we can help by staying connected to our kids’ digital lives and keeping conversations open and judgment-free. Ask what they’re seeing online, talk through the potential consequences, and encourage them to think critically before participating.

👉 Check out this helpful article from the American Academy of Pediatrics for tips on talking with your child about dangerous online challenges - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Dangerous-Internet-Challenges.aspx

Social media challenges can be fascinating to teens, who can be both impulsive and drawn to behavior that draws attention. These trendy challenges, which range from microwaving gel-filled toys to misusing allergy medicines, can cause serious injuries and poisonings, and some can even be fatal. Being...

08/14/2026

You may have seen recent news regarding the President’s August 10 Executive Order related to childhood vaccines. We want our Western Wake Pediatrics families to know that nothing has changed for us at this time.

Vaccines remain widely available throughout North Carolina, and NC DHHS continues to strongly support vaccination as an important tool for protecting children, families, and our communities from preventable diseases.

At Western Wake Pediatrics, our position remains clear: vaccines save lives.

We will continue to follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NC DHHS and provide your family with evidence-based guidance about vaccines.

The AAP immunization schedule is carefully developed from extensive research and safety data. It considers immune response, timing, effectiveness, and the safety of giving vaccines together at recommended ages.

Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about your child’s health based on evidence, research, and safety—not politics or personal agendas.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s vaccines, please talk with your child's provider. We’re here to help you navigate the information and feel confident in your child’s care.

08/11/2026

Summer means more time at the pool, lake, and beach—and it’s a great time to think about your child’s swimming skills and water safety. 💦

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons as one important layer of protection against drowning, with many children able to begin lessons around age 1, depending on their developmental readiness.

A few important reminders for families:

🏊 Swim lessons don’t make children “drown-proof.” Constant, close, and focused adult supervision is still essential.

👶 Children develop at different rates. Consider your child’s physical abilities, developmental readiness, emotional maturity, and comfort in the water when deciding when to begin.

🛟 Look for water-survival skills—not just swimming strokes. A quality program should teach children how to get to the surface, move through the water, and safely get out.

👀 For little ones, think “touch supervision.” Infants and toddlers should always be within arm’s reach of an adult when they are in or around water—even during swim lessons.

🚫 Prevent unsupervised access. Pool fencing and barriers are especially important because young children can wander toward water when no one expects them to be swimming.

💙 Water safety is a family affair. Swim lessons, active supervision, life jackets, barriers, and knowing CPR all work together to help keep children safer around water.

Not sure if your child is ready for swim lessons? Talk with your pediatrician—we’re happy to help!

📖 Read the full article from HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Swim-Lessons.aspx?utm_source=MagnetMail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=HC%2DProfessional&utm_campaign=HC%2Eorg%20Pro%20Update%20June%202026

08/06/2026

If you've been hearing more about GLP-1 medications for teens, you probably have a lot of questions.

In this video, Kara Willette discusses who may be a candidate for GLP-1 medications, how these medications work, and why they're just one part of a comprehensive approach to improving health. Sustainable lifestyle changes, nutrition, physical activity, and ongoing medical support all play an important role.

At Western Wake Pediatrics, we know that every child is different. If you're wondering whether a weight management program or GLP-1 medication might be appropriate for your teen, we're here to have that conversation in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

📞 Call our office to schedule a consultation and learn more.