The Children's Clinic

06/19/2026

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It is that time of year again. If you are happy with the medical care received at The Children's Clinic, please vote for us as the Best of Alaska in 2026.
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05/23/2026

From the desk of Dr. Mary Ann Jacob,

Sometimes I talk with my teenage patients who are experiencing depression, and try to see what might bring them some relief. Doing something creative can bring satisfaction, and it’s not reliant on people outside yourself: with very minimal supplies you can paint, draw, create beats or a melody or lyrics, or write stories or plays, fictional or historical or biographical. Of course, some folks co-create music or dramas, and the give-and-take and exchange of ideas can be energizing.

Poetry is a form that can be fun. Whether it’s the more traditional style with rhyming words and similar rhythms, or free verse, a person can say whatever they care to say in an artful way. You can take all the time you want, and as to subject matter, the sky’s the limit!

Every now and then I’ll sit down and let my inner “author” have a go at story-telling or poetry. If I can add humor to it, all the better. Most of the time no one will ever see these scribblings; that’s okay, they’ve served their purpose by helping me express my feelings and help me see that there are things I can create that no one else can. So I can feel more valuable, which protects against depression.

One patient told me they were good at haiku and made up several on the spot! There’s a lot to be said for a short form that doesn’t even need to rhyme. So, here’s a few haiku inspired by our late spring. Maybe you’ll be inspired to write a few lines yourself!

(Apologies to serious poets: I have learned that this type of English haiku that is made using 5 syllables/7 syllables/5 syllables are considered to be an “elementary school” form; and that serious haiku can follow much different “rules”. Originally in Japan, this was a short-form poetry that usually referenced nature. My only rules here were that there needed to be a theme, and the 5/7/5 syllable structure.)

Second week in May
What I’d give for a birch leaf
Buds will have to do.

Southern friends mow lawns
Here there’s no grass visible
But only pet droppings

Is any arctic entry
capable of handling this
mud-covered rain boot?

The very first crocus
finally bloomed this morning
A purple spirit-lifter.

Feel free to share your own creations! It beats doom-scrolling!

The Children’s Clinic
showcases budding poets
Among our patients!

Happy Spring!

Dr. Mary Ann Jacob

04/24/2026

It's spring and finally time to dust off the bikes, scooters, roller skates, and skateboards and go outside! Make sure your child's helmet still fits and review safety rules before venturing out. The Anchorage Fire Department is giving away free helmets to children and teens.

🚴🚴‍♀️FREE BIKE HELMETS FOR KIDDOS🚴🚴‍♀️
In neighborhoods across the municipality bicycles are coming out of garages and sheds. Before your kid pedals off to explore, do they have a helmet? Starting today, all Anchorage Fire Department stations are stocked with donated bike helmets through Safe Kids Alaska. The helmets are available for children and teens at no cost. To obtain a free helmet, bring your child to your neighborhood fire station.

🗸 Child/teen must be present to ensure the helmet fits and can be adjusted, as needed
🗸 Free helmets are limited to stock on hand
🗸 These helmets are intended for those who could not otherwise obtain a bike helmet

This program is possible thanks to generous gifts to Providence Alaska Foundation from Kendall Auto Group and IMA Financial Group, Inc.. Additional thanks to the Anchorage Firefighters which provides support for the program.

Anchorage Fire Department: Serving our Community Before, During, and After an Emergency.


Safe Kids Worldwide

03/14/2026

From the desk of Dr. Shen:

My mom moved in with us just over 2 years ago due to health reasons. It was an unplanned move, and suddenly extracting her from her home, neighbors, friends, and relatives in California was a huge adjustment for her that she took in stride despite her age. It had been 43 years since we lived under the same roof. We’ve had a lot of reacquainting and catching up to do but it’s been a blessing to reminisce and make memories together again.

My mom is 91. She has lived through war, under foreign occupation, and has been uprooted from her “home” several times. Her remarkable ability to remain positive has carried her through multiple life changes. She has always adjusted, embraced new challenges, and thrived.

Living with her, I now appreciate her spirit and tenacity even more. The world is fascinating to her and she is determined to be part of all things new. Technology is an example. She still confuses Facebook and FaceTime, e-mail and texting, bluetooth and wifi, and somehow ends up with ten Mahjong and a dozen Solitaire apps on her phone (“I didn’t put them there!”). She is enthralled with CGI and AI and now shows me her phone and asks “Is this real?”

Despite her fascination with the new, some old beliefs and practices are so ingrained in her that nothing I say will ever change her mind. She told me when I was little (and she still insists that it’s true) that I shouldn’t run or exercise after eating or else I would get appendicitis. Imagine my surprise when I found out during pathology class in medical school that this was not true.
Babies should sleep on their stomachs. Don’t take a bath when you are sick. Wet hair will destroy your brain. “Ay-yah, wear more clothes, you will get pneumonia”. Don’t drink ice water (but Coke has to have ice). There are “yin” foods and “yang” foods - “need to balance”. Use the same napkin for an entire day (“don’t waste”). She is trying to withhold judgment on tattoos and piercing, only asking “But doesn’t it hurt?”

Mom is still sharp as a tack. Her wit and sense of humor have not dulled. She is interested in everything and everyone and still believes life is a blessing. After so many years in pediatrics, I have a new found appreciation for the wisdom and richness of the geriatric population and am grateful for the time my mom and I have together.

02/18/2026

Is your child sick?
We are usually able to see your child the same day for an acute illness. We also have in-office PCR testing for RSV, Influenza, COVID, and strep.

Remember: we are open Sundays from 11:00am-3:00pm.