Welcome to Glendale Pediatrics
We are here to partner with you in the care of your growing family
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE
We have initiated an annual practice fee for all patient families to cover administrative costs so that we may continue to be an independent practice. This annual practice charge assists us in providing non-billable services that insurance companies do not cover. We employ a number of people to help with behind the scenes administrative tasks that facilitate our patients' experience with the healthcare system at large; this fee allows us to provide these and many other services to improve the quality of care. Please see the link "Admin Fee Policy Letter" above for details. You may pay the administration fee by following the "Pay Annual Admin Fee" link above.
RSV MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY INJECTION - BEYFORTUS
You may have heard about the new "RSV shot" in the news. Respiratory Syncytial Virus causes a lower respiratory infection that can cause wheezing and difficulty breathing, especially in younger kids. There are two new RSV prevention options:
1) Beyfortus - an RSV injection intended to prevent RSV for all babies up to 8 months and for certain babies up to 2y; and,
2) an RSV vaccine for pregnant women, intended to be given more than 2 weeks prior to delivery. Please ask your obstetrician about this.
Beyfortus is a monoclonal antibody that lasts for a period of several months - it helps neutralize RSV when it enters the body and is incredibly effective in preventing severe RSV infection for a season. If the mother was able to receive an RSV vaccine more than 14 days prior to delivery, the baby does not need Beyfortus.
If you would like your child to receive Beyfortis, we have just received a limited supply. Please call today to schedule an appointment.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFLUENZA IN THE COMMUNITY - IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOUR FLU VACCINE
The first year a child under age 9 years receives a flu vaccine, they will need two - the second one a month later. You can also get your flu vaccines at your regularly scheduled appointments, and feel free to bring along a sibling for flu vaccine.
At this time, we have injectable flu vaccine (flu shot) for children 6 months and older.
WE HAVE THE UPDATED 2023-24 COVID VACCINE
The FDA approved the updated version of the mRNA COVID vaccine in September 2023. Per CDC guidelines, for vaccinated people 5y and older, the recommendation is for one dose to be given 2 months or more after the previous dose. For vaccinated kids 6 mos through 4y, 1-2 doses will be recommended depending on prior doses. For unvaccinated kids 6 mos through 4y, 3 doses of the Pfizer or 2 doses of the Moderna vaccine will be recommended.
We have a limited supply of COVID vaccine for all age groups, so please call to be added to our Waiting List for COVID vaccinations.
PLEASE WELCOME DR. SANDY GILDERSLEEVE!
Sandy Gildersleeve, MD, FAAP grew up in Dallas, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Columbia University and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
She completed her pediatric internship and residency at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 2015. At CHLA, she spearheaded a hospital-wide quality improvement project promoting safe infant sleep practices and received Saban Research Institute’s Best Community Research Award. She also received the Chief Residents’ Service Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Residency Program.
She is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She was voted a Pasadena Top Doctor in 2022 and 2023 and a Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctor in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Dr. Gildersleeve is married to John Gildersleeve. They have three quickly-growing daughters and two silly dogs. When not attending one of her kids’ many sporting events or concerts, she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, playing games and laughing. Her daughters challenge her each day to be a better mom and a better pediatrician.
She is thrilled to have the privilege of caring for the children of Glendale Pediatrics. And we are very excited to have her join our team - she is intelligent, highly skilled and hilarious! She works Wednesdays and Fridays all day.
WE PROVIDE TELEMEDICINE
Some visits are appropriate for telemedicine. Dr. Jennifer Hartstein does telemedicine visits on Tuesdays and all MDs can do some telemedicine throughout the rest of the week. A note from our billing staff: telemedicine visits are paid by most major insurance companies, but we recommend that you review your coverage with your insurance plan. There may be an out-of-pocket responsibility, just as your insurance company requires when you are physically in the office.
COVID RESOURCES
In accordance with LACDPH masking guidelines, please wear a mask in the office if you are ill.
We have re-opened our sick waiting room. If your child has a fever or a rash, you will be asked to wait in your car and come in through our back door. If your child is here otherwise for an ill visit, you may come in and wait in our sick waiting room or choose to text us and wait in your car until we are ready. All well children should enter through the well waiting room.
Along with the CDC, we recommend COVID vaccination for all people over the age of 6 months. Additional vaccine availability can be found at myturn.ca.gov and at the LA County Department of Health website.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov.
If you or your family member has COVID-19, please follow these instructions from the LA County Department of Public Health: home isolation instructions. If you or your child has been exposed to COVID-19, please follow these instructions from the LA County Department of Public Health: close contact instructions.
Mental health resources: if you or your child is exhibiting signs of stress or anxiety during this time, reach out to us. We are here to help. Click here for mental health resources.
GLENDALE PEDIATRICS IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES HEALTH NETWORK
We are an active affiliate office of the CHLA Health Network, a network of high quality pediatricians working hard to improve the care of our patients.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ALTERNATIVE VACCINE SCHEDULE?
We at Glendale Pediatrics encourage all our patients to receive their vaccines on schedule per the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you choose to vaccinate your child following an alternative vaccine schedule, please note that these visits with be booked with your doctor to ensure safety and help guide your decision-making process. We also have some basic vaccination requirements for our patients.
QUESTIONS?
We hope you find this website useful. Please contact us at (818) 246-7260 during business hours with any additional questions you may have.