Wake Teen Medical Services – News

...The Mission of Wake Teen Medical Services
Improving the health and well-being of teens and young adults in Wake County by providing adolescent-focused medical and mental health care, community education and provider training.

Wake Teen’s Primary Health Care Goals

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  Wake Teen’s goals in provision of primary health care to this special population include: 1) the provision of well-teen prevention screenings and immunizations, 2) the identification of risk behaviors and provision of education to reduce risk and 3) the facilitation of teen decision-making through education around health care choices as platform for future health and well-being.

Wake Teen Medical Services Philosophy of Care:

Wake Teen Medical Services was established in 1983 as the first clinic in NC of it type and the only one in Wake County to focus solely on the unique development needs of adolescents. Wake Teen’s preventive health care model includes pediatricians, counselors, nurses and a full time nutritionist who are highly skilled and experienced in dealing with youth-related issues; issues which can range from the onset of diabetes to questions about sexuality or concerns with self-esteem. By providing a comprehensive one stop shop for primary health care, counseling, psychiatric evaluation and nutritional counseling, youth have the best chance of developing the vital trust and rapport that is so necessary for effective communications with teens. Wake Teen has successfully reached teens that otherwise might have fallen through the cracks in a traditional system and has been able to provide needed health care services to a vulnerable population for over 25 years.

Adolescent Focused (Ages 10-23)

Adolescence is defined as a transition from a child into an adult that involves biological changes - referred to as puberty - in addition to social and psychological changes; though the biological or physiological changes are the easiest to measure objectively. Remarkably, the brain and body begin a unique and predictable sequence of changes during these years that expand into the early 20’s. For years, many physicians – even pediatricians - were not fully aware of all changes occurring within the brain during this span of time. Adolescence is a unique period in the life cycle that presents special challenges and opportunities to the individual. During the transition from childhood to adulthood, adolescents and young adults experience pivotal biological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes. In addition, they establish patterns of behaviors and make lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health. By creating safe and nurturing environments for today’s youth—environments that focus on young people’s assets and minimize chances for engaging in health risk behaviors— Wake Teen helps ensure that tomorrow’s adults can be healthy and productive. Adolescent only clinics, like WT, are effective because they are designed to overcome barriers that discourage adolescents from utilizing health services like lack of confidentiality, inconvenient appointment times, prohibitive costs, and general apprehension about discussing personal health problems. Wake Teen focuses on prevention through screening and early intervention. Our medical staff at WT understands the unique link between the physical, emotional and social factors impacting a teen’s health and well-being during this time of transition.