Community Provider Corner

(From the April 2026 issue of MedStat)

Support Confident Vaccine Conversations

As trusted partners in families’ health, primary care providers play a vital role in guiding parents and caregivers through vaccine decisions. To support these conversations, Nationwide Children's has created a ready-to-use flyer (see PDF attachment in the April MedStat email) designed for exam rooms, waiting areas and other family spaces. This resource supports the messages you already share and offers families clear, easy-to-understand information during their visit — helping you continue offering the confident, high-quality guidance they rely on.

Oral Health Matters

Children should have their first dental visit by age 1 or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Early guidance helps build healthy habits, prevent problems and increase confidence as children learn to care for their smiles.

The Partners For Kids® Oral Health team provides resources and tools to help families and clinicians start meaningful conversations about oral health in the primary care setting, including:

For more information about Partners For Kids’ oral health initiatives in primary care, contact Andrea.Workman@NationwideChildrens.org.

Mobile Health Locator App

The Mobile Health Locator app makes it easy for families to find mobile health units nearby and access the care they need wherever they are. These units offer a wide range of services for adults and children, including primary care, urgent care, mental health counseling, prenatal care and more. By reducing barriers to care, the app supports greater access to high‑quality health services in communities across Ohio. Visit MobileHealthLocator.com to download the app today.

Boost Kindergarten Readiness

Did you know only about one in three children in Ohio are ready to start kindergarten? Building strong reading habits early is one of the easiest ways to help change that. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gives families with children aged 0 to 5 a free book every month, delivered right to their home. It’s a simple, high-impact way to support early literacy and help future generations start school with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Encourage families you work with to visit NationwideChildrens.org/ImaginationLibrary to register.

Free Courses Available on the Behavioral Health Learning Library

The Behavioral Health Learning Library (BHLL) is a collection of free, interactive and on-demand courses for professionals. The courses teach evidence-based pediatric mental and behavioral health assessment and treatment tailored for different professional practices like nursing, social work, psychology, pharmacy and more. The courses can also be used for continuing education credits. The BHLL helps to ensure all children receive timely and effective mental and behavioral health treatment. Learn more and get started today at NationwideChildrens.org/BH-Learning-Library. For questions, contact BHEducation@NationwideChildrens.org.

Community Education Offerings

The ADHD Academy is a virtual education series designed for parents, caregivers, educators and others who support children with ADHD. Participants may register at any time for individual classes or for multiple sessions.

Giggle & Groove is a research-based music therapy class that supports growth and development through interactive music and play. Each class includes 45-minute sessions every Wednesday at East Columbus Close To HomeSM and Westerville Close To HomeSM.

For more information on these programs or to register, visit Nationwide Children's Hospital Continuing Education. For questions, call Community Education at (614) 355- 0589 or Sheri.Brock@NationwideChildrens.org.

Christine Thomas Selected to Serve on Statewide Maternal and Infant Health Leadership Council

Christine ThomasCongratulations to Christine Thomas, BSN, RN, Healthy Start program manager, on being selected to represent Southeast Ohio on the Leadership Council for the Ohio Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality (OCPIM). This reflects her strong commitment to advancing maternal and infant health equity across Ross, Pike and Scioto counties. In this role, she will help strengthen connections between communities and health systems to improve outcomes for families and reduce disparities throughout the region.