Dustin Parker, D.O., FAAP

08/03/2026

With school starting back, I wanted to begin a new weekly challenge for my patients and parents. One of the greatest joys of being your child’s pediatrician is watching them grow! While I love seeing their smiling faces in clinic, the truth is that I usually only get to see them for yearly checkups or when they’re feeling sick. I know so much happens between those visits, and I don’t want to miss those special moments, so each week, I want to invite parents to share something positive their child did that week. This doesn’t have to be just school age children. This can be all of my patients.

Maybe they:
• Learned a new skill
• Showed kindness to someone
• Reached a personal goal
• Worked hard in school
• Tried something new
• Overcame a fear
• Made you proud in a big or small way

Every week, I will randomly choose and that patient will receive a gift card of their choice as a small way to celebrate your amazing children! I can’t wait to cheer them on with you and stay connected throughout the year—not just during appointments. Be on the lookout for the post at the end of the week, so we can fill this page with encouragement, smiles, and reasons to celebrate! As always thank you for allowing me to be a part of your children’s life!

08/02/2026

Sunday schedule

Monday- Reelfoot
Tuesday- Reelfoot
Wednesday- Reelfoot
Thursday- Reelfoot
Friday- out of office

Best of luck to the kids who start school
Tomorrow!

Dr. Parker

07/26/2026

Sunday schedule

Monday- Reelfoot
Tuesday- Reelfoot
Wednesday- out of office
Thursday- Reelfoot
Friday- Reelfoot

The last full week before many start school. Hope everyone enjoys it. If anyone has any issues please let me know.

Dr. Parker

07/21/2026

Thanks to everyone in Weakley county for the honor! I got this this morning and it was a pleasant surprise.

A lot of the times as a physician we were working tirelessly to make sure others are taken care of and it's an expectation that we do what we do. Recognition like this lets me know that despite some days when things are hard, there are a lot of people in the community that appreciate what I do!

Thank you to the ones who voted and made my morning. I am so happy to practice in rural NW Tennessee and raise my family here. I am so thankful for the continued support.

Dr. Parker

07/19/2026

Sunday schedule

Monday- Reelfoot
Tuesday- Reelfoot
Wednesday- Reelfoot
Thursday- Reelfoot
Friday- out of office

Couple updates
- I am at Baptist hospital again certain days. If you are my patient and born on that day I am on call I will see you! If I am not on call that day then you will get the pediatrician on call. Please just then call or reach out here for an appt with me in the office 2-3 days after hospital discharge.
-online scheduling of appointments is possible and we are still working out some kinks but you can go online now and book your appointment slot to come to the office vs calling. If you have any issues or slots aren't showing please call.
-school physicals are in full force right now. My check ups are usually booked out quite a ways but if you have extenuating circumstances then I'll do my best to accommodate. Please remember our NPs can also do your school physicals and their availability could be much quicker.

If anyone has any issues please let me know

Dr. Parker

07/19/2026

I have had numerous concerns about Cyclospora so I thought I would make a post about it! Please
Realize it is not the only thing that causes diarrhea illness currently. Many viruses are circulating as well!

There is a multistate Cyclospora outbreak occurring in the U.S., and it’s something parents should be aware of.

What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause diarrhea lasting more than a week, often with symptoms that seem to improve before returning.

Common symptoms include:
💧 Watery diarrhea
🤢 Nausea or vomiting
🤕 Abdominal cramps
💨 Bloating and gas
😴 Fatigue
⚖️ Weight loss

Children may become infected after eating contaminated fresh produce such as berries, lettuce, cilantro, basil, or salad mixes, or by drinking contaminated water.

⚠️ When should you call your pediatrician?
If your child has diarrhea lasting longer than 7 days, especially if routine stool testing is negative, ask whether Cyclospora should be considered. Standard stool tests do not always detect this parasite, and special testing may be needed.

💊 The good news is that Cyclospora is treatable, and most children begin feeling better within a few days of starting the appropriate antibiotic.

💧 In the meantime:
• Encourage plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Practice good hand hygiene.

If your child has severe dehydration, bloody stools, persistent vomiting, or is unable to keep fluids down, seek medical care promptly.

As always, if you have concerns about your child’s symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your pediatrician. If any of my patients have concerns please call the office or reach out to me here!

Dr. Parker

07/12/2026

Sunday schedule

Monday- Reelfoot
Tuesday- Reelfoot
Wednesday- out of office
Thursday- Reelfoot
Friday- Reelfoot

Couple updates
- Our clinic, at least for summer, is moving to an 8-5 schedule. Once winter and sick season returns in full force we may extend hours again. Someone is still seeing patients on Saturdays however.
-we do have online appointment options now. I am not well versed on how it works but I know people have been doing it. There will be some growing pains I am certain but I know many are very happy with it.

Last but not least, I have had many questions about new patients due to how busy I am. I am
Accepting new patients but most of my new are newborns but I am accepting all. If you have any specific concerns about that please call or send me a message here!

As always if someone needs something, I am
Always more than willing to help. Continue to be thankful for all the patients I get to be a part of their lives.

Dr. Parker

07/07/2026

It's back for those keeping up! Be vigilant in hand washing and hygiene.

We are back into spring which means hand foot and mouth is here! Here's a little info about the virus and how to keep it from spreading. It obviously runs rampant in daycares but fortunately most are self limited and get better by themselves!

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness in children, especially under age 5, but older kids and even adults can get it too. It’s usually caused by enteroviruses (most often Coxsackievirus A16 or Enterovirus 71).

👩‍⚕️ How It Spreads:
• Close contact (hugging, kissing, sharing cups/utensils)
• Respiratory droplets (coughs, sneezes)
• Contact with stool or fluid from blisters
• Contaminated surfaces/toys

😷 Symptoms:
• Fever, sore throat, irritability
• Painful mouth sores
• Rash with small red spots or blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes buttocks/legs

🦠 Contagiousness:
• Most contagious during the first week of illness
• The virus can still spread for days to weeks afterward through stool
• Kids should stay home if they have fever, uncontrolled drooling from mouth sores, or feel too unwell for school/daycare. As long as new lesions are appearing they are contagious!!

💊 Treatment:
• There is no specific medicine to cure HFMD — it usually goes away on its own in 7–10 days
• Supportive care is key:
• Fluids to prevent dehydration (cold drinks, popsicles help with sore mouth)
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever/pain (avoid aspirin in kids)
• Soft foods to reduce mouth discomfort

🧼 Prevention Tips:
• Frequent handwashing with soap and water
• Disinfect toys/surfaces often
• Avoid sharing cups/utensils
• Teach kids to cover coughs and sneezes

✅ The good news: Most children recover fully without complications. Rarely, severe cases can affect the nervous system or heart — so see a doctor if your child has persistent high fever, trouble breathing, dehydration (not peeing enough, very dry mouth), or unusual sleepiness/irritability.

Below are some examples of the rash.

Feel free to share!

Dr. Parker

07/05/2026

Sunday schedule ( 4th of July edition plus Lilabeths 4th birthday)

Monday- Reelfoot
Tuesday- Reelfoot
Wednesday- Reelfoot
Thursday- Reelfoot
Friday- out of office

We spent the weekend celebrating the 4th, watching Troutt ( our dog in hunt tests) and celebrating our 4 year old. Life was busy but we wouldn't have it any other way!

If anyone has any issues with appts or anything this week as always please let me know. I am
More responsive than most anyone and access to me is second to none. I'll do my best to help do whatever is needed for your children.

Dr. Parker

07/01/2026

Reminder we are closed on July 3rd! If anyone needs anything please let us know today and tomorrow. I am out of office today but will be in office tomorrow for any acute needs!

Dr. Parker