The Fourth of July and other summer celebrations are a time for enjoyment, making memories and being aware of summer safety tips. Now that the CDC has approved COVID-19 vaccines for children who are age six months and older, millions of young children are now eligible to be vaccinated. That brings a bit more freedom for celebrating compared to the safety precautions from last summer. The physicians at Gillette Children's and Regions Hospital remind you that preparation is the key to keeping safe.

Infectious diseases have caused problems for millions of years. That’s why it’s important to wash our hands and clean surfaces we touch—especially in a health care setting. At Gillette, keeping our clinical spaces clean and sanitized is an essential part of the care that we provide.

Now that vaccine eligibility has expanded in many states, we thought it might be helpful to sit down with Tori Bahr, MD, a pediatric complex care physician at Gillette to discuss the facts about the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available. 

When COVID first came to Minnesota and things started shutting down, we were concerned that our son, Wes, who is 8 Years old and has cerebral palsy, would not get the care that he would need. But that hasn’t been our experience.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Gillette Children's has been focused on protecting our community—by wearing masks and protective gear, washing our hands, keeping our environment clean and social distancing. We’re proud to protect and serve our community during this challenging time.

The first round of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Pfizer is currently being given to providers and staff at Gillette Children's. You can look for many of our providers and care givers to be protected against this virus, so they can better provide you with care you need in a safe way. This is a major step in the fight against COVID-19.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joined officials from Gillette Children's to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the influenza vaccine is available. According to a statement released by Klobuchar’s office, recent reports of indicate that some regions of the country have experience shortages of influenza vaccines, including some towns in Minnesota.

Minnesota and neighboring states have hit record numbers of COVID-19 cases recently. This spike in cases of the virus prompted Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, to announce increased restrictions regarding group gatherings earlier this afternoon. These new restrictions will be enacted at 10 p.m. on Friday, November 13.

Walter Truong, MD has worked as a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Gillette Children's for nearly ten years. Dr. Truong specializes in treating a variety of pediatric orthopedic conditions. Learn more about him, here.

The dental clinic at Gillette Children's is now open and seeing patients after being closed for three months as a precaution to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Gillette's dental clinic is one of only three facilities in the metro area that is specially equipped to serve patients with disabilities.

At Gillette, we understand the difficult decision parents are making this fall as you consider education options for your child amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As you receive guidance from your child’s school, we are here to support you as you make the best choice for your child and your family.

When virtual appointments were first proposed, we were appreciative but admittedly skeptical about how that would work. But having recently made the shift over to virtual appointments, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by how seamless the transition was. Naturally, there were some growing pains in the beginning, but there were many benefits that emerged over time.

Gillette Children's is essential to those we serve and we’re ready to help while taking precautions to make sure you, your child and our staff are as safe as possible. Timely and safe medical care is crucial for patients with rare, complex and traumatic conditions.

Gillette Children's, Micah Niermann, MD, is the new medical director and part of the leadership team steering Gillette through some challenging times as the COVID-19 pandemic has a big impact on all health care organizations. He says now, more than ever, Gillette is essential to the patients we serve.

Many of us are cooped up in our homes due to COVID-19. It’s a major change for many families. Luckily, Gillette experts have some useful tips on activities families can do using simple items found in most homes.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, you are probably wondering what’s safe. Here are a few safe options for families who have a member with a complex medical condition, approved by our Infectious Disease experts.

Gillette staff members are taking every precaution to keep kids and families safe. Learn more about their personal protective equipment and why each piece is important.

Parents likely have questions about how COVID-19 affects their child, especially as new information continues to emerge. The medical staff at Gillette Children's is actively monitoring COVID-19 and the effects on children, especially as more information is reported about a condition occurring in children in the United States that may be related to COVID-19.

In the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19, we’ve heard countless stories about the brave medical professionals who are working on the frontlines of this crisis. Of course, it takes many individuals working in close concert with one another to make a hospital run, and it’s impossible to do any type of medical work that’s safe in an environment that isn’t sterile. In a time where handwashing and keeping things clean is very much top of mind, we thought it’d be good to consult the experts in such matters; the individuals who are keeping Gillette’s patients, families and staff members safe by keeping things clean.

During this time of isolation, everyone is looking for ways to stay in touch with the people and causes they care about. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be exploring new ways to connect with one another while also staying safe. Learn five easy ways you can support Gillette and create community together, from a distance.

Many of us will be spending more time at home during the outbreak of COVID-19 (the disease caused by coronavirus), and for those with young children, you may have to get a bit creative to keep them entertained during this time. To try to help, we sat down with the Child and Family Services Team at Gillette Children’s to get some tips on ways you can practice proper social distancing, stay home and safe without going completely stir-crazy in the coming weeks.