Category: Willows in the Community
Fall Highlights 2021
We wanted to share some of the activities taking place at Willows and surrounding towns. The physicians, PAs and nurses at Willows are on the go supporting our patients and keeping them healthy!

Does the flu shot hurt less in a DeLorean?

Thumbs up for the drive thru Flu clinic!

Dr. Sollinger at career night at Wakeman Boys & Girls Keystone Club

Saturday at the field in Fairfield

Willows nurses at one of our drive thru Flu clinics

Willows team vaccinating at the Westport Covid Clinic

Very exciting day spent vaccinating 5-11 year olds!
Willows Baby Group Thrives Outside
The intrepid members of our baby group don’t let the winter chill slow them down! On a recent Tuesday, with temperatures above 40 degrees, many of our new moms (and dads too!) met outside to discuss questions about newborn care and enjoy each other’s company. On top of the support and knowledge the group provides, our baby group is a great opportunity to meet new parents with similar age infants. The shared baby group experience has led to bonding and networking among the parents who join us, including finding time for outdoor walks and socially distanced outdoor get-togethers other days of the week.
Led by Laurie Rubel, APRN and certified lactation consultant, our baby group meets by the picnic tables behind our office, weather permitting (no rain and temperature above 40 degrees) every Tuesday at 11 am. Babies are bundled up and are part of the team. In case of rain or temperatures below 40 degrees the group meets over Zoom. Please check our Instagram the day before for an update on the group’s location.
Fifth Disease Interview with Dr. Lauren Allison on Star 99.9
Dr. Lauren Allison was recently featured on an interview with Star 99.9.
The Anna & Raven Show is a popular radio stream from the local station Star 99.9. Anna, one of the broadcasters, is currently pregnant and was concerned when she heard there was a recent outbreak of Fifth Disease in the local area.
Both Anna and Raven from Star 99.9 decided to interview Dr. Allison to learn more about Fifth Disease and other viral illnesses. Below is the interview with our own Dr. Lauren Allison!
You can listen by following this link or clicking below.
Unlocked Firearms in the Home: Asking Saves Kids
Most parents are aware of the staggering number of children and adolescents affected by firearm violence in the United States. What parents may not realize is that in the United States, one out of every three homes with children has a gun, and that many of these firearms are kept unlocked or loaded. Every year thousands of children and adolescents are killed and injured as a result.
In response, we want to bring to your attention The ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Campaign. This movement promotes a simple idea that has the potential to help keep all kids safe. The Ask Campaign, created in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, encourages parents to ASK if there is an unlocked gun in the homes where their children play. Read More
Willows Giving Back
As we begin 2018, the physicians, PAs, nurses, and staff of Willows Pediatrics would like to say how grateful we are for the support from our families as we gave back to our local community and beyond the past year. September 2017 was Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and families who purchased items at our bake sale helped support the fight against childhood cancer. Thirteen members of the Willows family participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Sherwood Island last October and contributed to breast cancer awareness and research. October 2017 was also when several of our physicians and staff sorted and packed food at the Connecticut Food Bank in Fairfield. Many thanks to our families who donated non-perishable food items during our food drive. 2017 ended with our Toys for Tots drive, part of the annual campaign run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Again, many thanks for the generosity of so many families who donated unopened toys to be given to children whose families were unable to purchase them on their own.
Baby Group Celebrates Halloween
Our always popular baby group took a break from their normal newborn learning sessions to celebrate Halloween and the new friendships and bonds that develop during the weekly sessions. While their parents enjoyed baked goods and snacks, babies celebrated their first Halloween dressed in festive costumes. The Willows baby group is open to any of our parents with an infant from birth to 3 months of age, and meets in our office every Tuesday at 11 am. No appointment is needed, just bring yourself, any family members who want to join you, and your baby!
Willows Receives Award from the Connecticut Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS)
Willows Pediatric Group has done it again! Based on data from the Connecticut Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS), we have achieved a 94% immunization rate at age 2 years, for our patients born in the year 2013. This has contributed to sustaining Connecticut’s high immunization rate. We are proud to continue our tradition of receiving this annual recognition from CIRTS.
The physicians, PA’s, and nurses at Willows are dedicated to informing parents about the benefits of vaccines, and vaccinating your children at an appropriate age to keep them protected from diseases.
Letters of Appreciation to Dr. Peter Czuczka
Enjoy these letters of appreciation to Dr. Peter Czuczka as he prepares for retirement next year.
Willows Pediatrics Gives Back at the Connecticut Food Bank
A number of our physicians, PA’s, nurses, lab techs and receptionists recently teamed up with the Connecticut Food Bank to give back to our local community last month. The Willows team gathered at the food bank’s Fairfield location to sort and package food for those in need.
We filled 442 bags and nearly two full pallets of boxes. This is not the first time the physicians and staff at Willows have volunteered at the Connecticut Food Bank. Read More
Willows Pediatrics Joins the Maker Faire
Willows Pediatrics was proud to join the 2017 Westport Maker Faire as a sponsor. Under the theme “Creative Kids,” Dr. Jonathan Sollinger hosted our booth. The Willows’ patients and families representing us at our booth enjoyed a full day of creating and sharing with the over 10,000 individual who attended the annual event. Our patients made over 30 batches of Slime with other kids who stopped by, explained how drones work, taught how to make colorful custom lip balm and displayed a sign created for a heat safety campaign to keep kids and pets safe in cars and took photos of the Faire. Thanks to drone technology and the entrepreneurial spirit of a Willow’s patient, we also helped capture a bird’s eye view of the Maker Faire opening from above, and shared the experience of learning how to fly a drone and take the steps needed to earn FAA certification as a remote drone pilot. Many thanks to all of our families for donating their time and sharing their talents, and we hope many others were able to attend and enjoy the activities and innovations, and came away inspired to develop their own crafts and ideas.