Feather River Health Center’s pediatrics clinic provides wellness exams, vaccinations and more for kids on the Ridge
In the immediate aftermath of the 2018 Camp Fire, there were very few people still residing in Paradise. Tens of thousands had been displaced, and nearly all of the businesses and services that weren’t completely destroyed—including medical facilities—were shut down indefinitely.
When Adventist Health’s Feather River Health Center on the Skyway did reopen two months after the disaster, the clinics were not very busy. “We started working in Paradise in early January, after the state came in and did their assessment that our building was safe to operate,” says Cassie Thain, who has worked in various capacities for Adventist Health for 20 years, and is now the practice manager for six Adventist Health departments, including pediatrics. “We started to rebuild our services, including recruiting providers.”
As the town has recovered, however, so has its population numbers, and Paradise is currently the fastest-growing community in the state. As more families move into newly-built homes, the need for children’s medical services is increasing, and the only Ridge-based pediatric care is at Adventist Health’s Feather River Health Center.
“It was pretty quiet when I started, and we have seen an insane change in terms of the volume that comes through the office. It’s been just incredible.”
Dr. Denise Abbasi, Pediatrics Provider, Adventist Health Feather River
“We see an average of 43 patients a day at our location,” Thain says about the pediatric clinic. “Adventist Health has changed a lot over the last few years and we have seen extreme growth in our clinic as the population of the town has been growing.”
The clinic is booked out for almost a month and a half, with 2.2 providers—Dr. Cynthia Wilson, Dr. Denise Abbasi and certified physician assistant Ken Gillen.
Thain emphasized the importance of scheduling annual appointments for each child: “All kids should be seen yearly by a pediatric provider and go through a physical,” she says.
Dr. Abassi has been with Adventist Health for three-and-a-half years. “It was pretty quiet when I started, and we have seen an insane change in terms of the volume that now comes through the office,” she says. “It’s been just incredible.”
Abassi says the clinic provides basic wellness and sickness care for infants, adolescents and teens, as well as important immunizations. Abassi also offers seasonal advice to prepare for summer sun and insect bites.
“For infants, sun protection is super important. Do not put your infants or young children in direct sunlight; offer them a sun hat and put sunblock on them,” she says. “Be sure to use an effective bug repellent. You can put DEET on any infant six months or older—just spray it on your hand and go ahead and apply it. This will help to protect from so many vector-born illnesses.”
Abassi also stresses the importance of keeping young ones hydrated during the North State summer. Children should be drinking six to eight 8-oz glasses of water per day.
As Paradise has slowly recovered from the Camp Fire and the community has started returning, the health center endeavors to meet the increasing needs of its residents, young and old.
“We encourage parents to schedule their child’s appointments regularly and keep up with preventative care,” noted Thain. “It’s a great way to keep your children healthy and happy.”
For more information about pediatric care at Adventist Health’s Feather River Health Center or to make an appointment, visit www.adventisthealth.org/feather-river/services/pediatrics or call (530) 872-2000 and choose Extension 3.
