Congratulations, Nurse Meg!



Pediatric Consultants staff with the beautiful bride



We want to congratulate Meg (Nickell) Brown on her recent marriage! Her wedding was held January 8, 2011 in Hoover, Alabama. Several members of the Pediatric Consultants staff were in attendance, including Crystal Shields, Martha Frizzell, Beth Spence, Dr. Marybeth Huggins, and Dr. Kip Frizzell, all pictured here. A lovely time was had by all!



The bride dances with Dr. Frizzell



Both Meg and her husband Matt attended the University of Alabama. You know she's a great nurse when she can convince Dr. Frizzell (a Tennessee Vol!) to say "Roll Tide" while dancing to Sweet Home Alabama. Here they are finishing a fancy spin!

Congratulations, Meg and Matt!

Dr. Mathis Runs for St. Jude!

Photo by Mike Maple, The Commercial Appeal

 On December 4, 2010,  thousands of people ran through downtown Memphis, Midtown, and the St. Jude's campus to raise money for children's cancer research. Our own Dr. Chris Mathis was one of those people! Every year, he participates in the St. Jude Marathon Weekend and this year he achieved a personal record in the half marathon (13.1 miles)!


Dr. Mathis says, "Running and raising funds for St Jude is on my calendar every December. We tend to take for granted having the world's premier children's cancer hospital right in our backyard. St Jude also has added a biking event this year in the late summer which Dr. Frizzell and I plan to do next year. Right, Dr Kip?"


Dr. Mathis stays fit by running, biking, swimming, competing in triathlons, and playing neighborhood kickball. If anyone out there has a New Year's Resolution to get fit this year, consider signing up for a race! It's a great motivator, and it's also a great way to raise money for a cause you believe in. Try starting with a 5K, but in time you may be ready to run a half marathon like Dr. Mathis!


"Training for the half marathon doesn't take too much time from your schedule. Four runs a week will do. Allow three months to get ready. Speed work one day a week, a long run one day a week, and middle distance or cross training the other two. Find a training partner if you can or join Memphis Runners Track Club to get the scoop on group runs around town," advises Dr. Mathis.


What was Dr. Mathis's favorite part of the race? "The best parts of the run are Beale Street with all the screaming supporters and the St Jude campus with patients and their families lining the route. This year I ran with a friend in his second year of med school who was running the full marathon so I couldn't complain about the pace! See you all next year!"

Happy New Year! Resolutions for a Healthy Family

The new year is a time for renewed commitments to yourself. The slate is wiped clean of all of the excesses and mistakes of the last year, and hope and optimism abound. Many of us use the new year as an opportunity to make resolutions - promises to ourselves that we're going to be better people, that 2011 is going to be the best year yet, and that we will finally make those lifestyle changes that can be so difficult. Here are three resolutions you can make with your family for healthier kids and a healthier you!

1. Eat more fruits and veggies!
Aim for at least 5 servings a day. It's fun to keep track and you can even make it a competition to see who can get there first! Eat a variety of colors to get an array of different vitamins and minerals. It's easy to add more fresh fruits and veggies to your diet.

2. Get active together!
There are so many fun ways to get active! You can take the dogs for a walk, go to the park and play catch, play active video games, or just dance around in the living room to your favorite tunes! One of our favorite ways to get active in 2011 is the new Memphis Greenline, that gave us seven miles of biking/walking/jogging bliss in 2010. Get out there and get moving!


Photo art courtesy of the Greater Memphis Greenline

 3. Get some sleep!
This sounds like a no-brainer, but research shows that most parents, and a lot of kids, are sleep-deprived. You will be healthier and happier with a good dose of shut-eye. Healthy sleep habits will help your kids grow into happy, energetic, and healthy adults.Happy new year to all of our patients and their families! Stay healthy, happy, and safe in 2011!