Pediatric Clinic supports Month of the Military Child

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Amber Carter | Levi, center, is held by his mother, Jolene Abaya, during a check up March 30, 2018, with Capt. (Dr.) Steven Williams, 60th Medical Operations Squadron staff pediatrician, at the David Grant USAF Medical Center Pediatric Clinic at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The Pediatric Clinic cares for 4,500 military children from newborns up to 18 years old. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Carter).  

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, UNITED STATES

04.02.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Amber Carter 

60th Air Mobility Wing

“They didn't sign up for the lifestyle and stressors of being a military child, but they do deal with the consequences,” said Capt. (Dr.) Steven Williams, 60th Medical Operations Squadron staff pediatrician. “I've met children who have moved six times. They are always the new kid in school. On top of that, they are constantly under the stress of a parent's potential deployment. The children of the military should be applauded for their bravery and for their resilience.”

Williams and his team at the David Grant USAF Medical Center Pediatric Clinic at Travis Air Force Base, California, care for approximately 4,500 military children ranging in age from newborn to 18.

“The most important thing to do, in my opinion, is to take care of the children of those who serve,” said Williams. “We owe our Airmen that. They need to know that while they are away on deployment or a (temporary deployment) or when their family is struggling with the stresses of a (permanent change of station) that at the very least their children are taken care of. They need to know that their children are happy, healthy, well and cared for.”

April may be the month that we take a little extra time to recognize the sacrifices of military children, but the mission of the Pediatric Clinic is year round.

“At the Pediatric Clinic, we treat every month as if it were the Month of the Military Child,” said Senior Airman Hugo Estrada, 60th MDOS medical technician. “I believe keeping military children healthy enhances readiness by allowing members to have one less stress in their lives. Military members have busy, stressful days at work and if their loved one, such as their child, is not doing well, their focus will not be all on the mission. The mission takes a lot to be completed correctly and efficiently and as long as the children are happy and healthy, parents have one less thing they have to worry about.”

The Pediatric Clinic takes pride in their mission to monitor appropriate growth, development and health of all ages.

“My favorite part about working here at the Pediatric Clinic is the fact that we are helping these kids,” said Estrada. “Kids are pure-hearted and deserve to be healthy and to get better. The best times are when a child returns after being sick and they are laughing and running around, and the thought that we helped is just priceless.”

• Date Taken: 04.02.2018
• Date Posted: 04.02.2018 16:47
• Story ID: 271534
• Location: TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US