Inside Pediatrics Winter 2019

prevention and management of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, acne management, evaluations of menstrual disorders, sports physicals and transition to adult-oriented health care. Specialty clinics focus on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, nutrition, eating disorders, weight management, female adolescent bleeding and menstrual disorders, complex care (LEAH Clinic) and substance abuse. Nefertiti Harmon Durant, M.D., MPH, associate professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Adolescent Health Center, says today’s adolescents face far more stressors than previous generations, chief among them being exposure to the Internet, social media and cyberbullying. There is also stress due to the pressures of academic performance, athletic performance, body image and perceptions of social standing. Durant and Coyne-Beasley strongly believe adolescent medicine is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on rising generations. “When I was in medical school, I saw a lot of adolescents who were struggling and who didn’t have the needed support in their lives from teachers, doctors, nurses and other professionals,” Durant said. “If I can be a mentor to the young patients I’m seeing, if I can support them through this period in their lives, they can overcome barriers and attain long-term success.” For more information, visit childrensal.org/adolescentmedicineclinics . Below: Nefertiti Durant, M.D., MPH, associate professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Adolescent Health Center, says today’s adolescents face far more stressors than previous generations. At right: Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., MPH, FAAP, FSHAM, professor and director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine, says patient care encompasses both physical and psychosocial well-being.

ADOLESCENT SPECIALTY CLINICS The William A. Daniel Jr. Adolescent Health Center at Children’s of Alabama sees more than 5,000 teenagers and young adults each year, and is home to an Adolescent Well Clinic and eight other specialty clinics. The center is accepting new primary and specialty care appointments. ADHD Clinic: This clinic is dedicated to the evaluation and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD), as well as school/learning problems. Adolescent Nutrition Clinic: Adolescents and young adults are seen for a variety of nutritional concerns, including sports nutrition, weight management (loss or gain), healthy eating, anemia and elevated blood lipid levels. Eating Disorder Clinic: This clinic specializes in the medical, psychological and nutritional care of adolescents and young adults with eating disorders and disordered eating. FAB Clinic: The Female Adolescent Bleeding (FAB) Clinic specializes in the medical care of adolescents and young adults with menstrual disorders, including those due to bleeding disorders. In partnership with Children’s/UAB Pediatric Hematology, FAB is a Women and Girls Bleeding Disorder Clinic of Excellence. LARC Clinic: The Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Clinic provides contraception options for adolescents and young women who want long-term contraception. LEAH Clinic: The Leadership in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Clinic offers services to help adolescents and young adults with various concerns, including management of chronic medical conditions, mental health concerns, healthy and active lifestyles, school problems or educational needs, reducing health risks and building resiliency. SHINE Clinic: The Support Help and Instruction for Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) Clinic specializes in weight management for children and adolescents. The clinic is located at Children’s South Pediatric Outpatient Center. Substance Use Assessment Clinic: This clinic sees adolescents and young adults who have concerns regarding drug or alcohol use. Psychologists assist with assessments and management plans.

Tune in to the Inside Pediatrics Podcast to hear more about adolescent medicine at Children’s of Alabama. To listen, visit childrensal.org/podcast or listen via Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play or Spotify.

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