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Sports Physicals for Summer 2025

Summer leagues and school try-outs will be here before you know it, and most programs require an up-to-date sports physical before your child can hit the field. If you’ve tried to book one through the usual channels, you already know how scarce appointments get once warm-weather practices ramp up. Rather than scrambling or risking a last-minute cancellation, secure your child’s clearance now and keep the focus where it belongs—on having fun and staying healthy.

Guardian Pediatrics in Carmel offers fast, physician-led sports physicals for just $50, with same-day slots often available. Every exam is performed by an MD in our convenient office at 11590 N Meridian St., Suite 170 (116th & Meridian), so you can check “sports physical” off the to-do list in a single visit. Call 317-848-3040 today or visit guardianpediatrics.com to book; your child’s season, and your sanity, will thank you.

Download Sports Physicals PDF


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Welcoming a new baby home is exciting — but the flurry of gear, advice, and midnight wake‑ups can leave you wondering what really matters at bedtime. Below is a research-based guide provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help families create the safest sleep environment possible for their babies (in under five minutes of reading).

Information in this post is distilled from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe‑sleep recommendations, together with the quick‑reference fact sheet below. 


Download PDF version

Why Safe Sleep Matters

Sudden infant sleep‑related deaths are largely preventable. By following a handful of evidence‑based practices, parents can drastically reduce the risks and rest a little easier themselves.

Back to Sleep — Every Time

Always place your baby flat on their back for every nap and night‑time sleep. Studies show this is the safest position for breathing and temperature regulation.

Crib & Bassinet Checklist

Use this rapid checklist before closing the nursery door:

  • Firm, flat surface: A safety‑approved crib, bassinet, or play yard with a tight‑fitting mattress and fitted sheet only. No incline, wedges, or positioners.
  • Nothing but baby: Keep out toys, pillows, blankets, and bumpers. A clutter‑free sleep space prevents suffocation and entanglement.
  • Swaddling smarts: Swaddling is fine for newborns, but stop once your baby shows signs of rolling.
  • Room‑sharing beats bed‑sharing: Place the crib or bassinet in your bedroom for at least the first six months. You’ll be close by for feeds while keeping baby on their own safe surface.

Bed‑Sharing: Weighing the Risks

Sharing a bed dramatically increases the risk of injury or death, and the danger climbs even higher if any of these apply: a baby under four months, pre‑term or low‑birth‑weight infants, a soft mattress or sofa, loose pillows or blankets, or if anyone in the bed smokes, has used alcohol, or sedating medication.

Bottom line: Keep baby close, but on a separate, firm surface.

Safe Transfers on the Go

Car seats, strollers, swings, and infant carriers are built for transport, not prolonged sleep. If your baby nods off in one of these devices, move them to a firm, flat crib or bassinet as soon as you can do so safely.

Extra Tips for Peaceful Nights

  • Pacifier power: Offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime has been shown to lower sleep‑related risks. If it falls out after baby drifts off, you don’t need to replace it.
  • Dress for the room, not the season: Skip loose blankets. Instead, use a wearable sleep sack to keep baby warm without overheating.
  • Expect wake‑ups: Frequent night waking is normal (and temporary!). Safe sleep is about protection, not forcing longer stretches. If exhaustion sets in, tag‑team with a partner, friend, or relative when possible.

Need Help?

Sleep deprivation can feel overwhelming. If you’re struggling with routines or worry you can’t follow these guidelines, talk with your pediatrician. They can tailor solutions to your baby’s needs and your home set‑up, or connect you with community resources and safe‑sleep specialists.


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20/Mar/2025

“The part I want to emphasize the most is all the fun we had, the absolute joy we felt in caring for our families.”

These are the words of Guardian Pediatrics’ founding partner, Dr. Claudia Somes, in a recent conversation about her history in private practice and the legacy she’s created. Her sentiments were seconded by her long-time business partner and friend, Dr. Lynda McCollum, who spoke with nostalgia as she reminisced lovingly of the families they served, many of whom they continue to keep in touch with today.

Imagine: it’s the early 1980s in Indianapolis. You’ve recently completed your pediatric residency training at Riley Hospital for Children at a time when women physicians were the exception rather than the rule. This is the backdrop against which Dr. Somes began making decisions for her practice and career, setting in motion what would eventually become the Guardian Pediatrics we see today. 

The term “trail blazers” comes to mind while listening to Drs. Somes and McCollum describe their early years in private practice. Business ownership was not part of standard medical training curriculum, therefore crucial lessons were made in real time. Decisions that could sink or swim their livelihoods were made on a trial and error basis as they climbed a steep learning curve. In this trial-by-fire setting, they showed an astounding amount of innate business sense. 

Running a tight ship could mean the difference between success and throwing in the towel, so they saved money whenever they could, which often meant rolling up their sleeves rather than hiring out. Dr. Somes and Dr. McCollum, along with their trusted office staff, acted as their own office managers, billing departments, business consultants, Human Resources, janitorial crew, and contractors. Dr. Somes’s daughter even hand-painted many of the murals that you see today in the exam rooms. There truly is a special energy when you enter Guardian Pediatrics, as the homey atmosphere that originated in the early years has been carefully maintained. 

If you ask these two ground breakers about the legacy they are most proud to have created, they both agree: solid patient care that goes the extra mile. Guardian Pediatrics was founded on the principle that humanizing the practice of medicine and providing reliable access to a medical home are the keys to healthy patient outcomes. They opened their doors in the time before hospital-based care existed, so they saw patients in the office, rounded on newborns, admitted their own patients to the hospitals day and night, took home call, and took turns seeing patients Saturdays and Sundays, all while running the business and raising their own young families. Through all this hard work, they maintained a focus on compassionate patient care, and to this day continue to speak passionately about what it meant to them through the years to offer approachable and accessible care to families. 

Dr. Somes and Dr. McCollum practiced for decades and witnessed much change in the world around them, yet their devotion to their patients never wavered. Patients and their families remain the central focus of Guardian Pediatrics, and it is an honor to carry their legacy forward in this way.

Guardian Pediatrics is grateful to our founding partners, Dr. Somes and Dr. McCollum, for their foresight, grit, and unwavering determination. They were ahead of their times in many ways, and continue to inspire us. Their dream many years ago has now become our dream, and we will strive to honor them as we continue to serve.

 


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01/Mar/2025

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, and even brief exposure to an infected person poses a high risk of infection for vulnerable people (i.e., those who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised). Measles carries a high risk of complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Vaccination against measles is safe and effectively protects against contracting the disease. The recent outbreak in the southern United States has largely occurred amongst unvaccinated people, and children aged five and under have been the group of infected patients who have most often required hospitalization. We at Guardian Pediatrics urge timely vaccinations in accordance with evidence-based scientific guidelines.

The CDC recommends all children get two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
 Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine if they are high risk (i.e., traveling to certain locations). Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at
12 through 15 months of age and another dose separated by at least 28 days).
 Some people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles, mumps, or rubella if they are exposed to the viruses that cause these diseases. Experts aren’t sure why; it could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine or their immune system’s ability to fight the infection decreased over time. However, disease symptoms are generally milder in vaccinated people.

MMR vaccine history and efficacy:
Measles vaccine first available in 1963.
MMR vaccine first available in 1971.
2 dose series recommended starting in 1989.
1 dose is 93% protective against measles.
2 dose series is 97% protective against measles.

Note: There is no link between MMR vaccination and autism. In fact, multiple large, well-designed epidemiologic studies, including a 2020 systemic review including nearly two million children, have found no evidence to support any link between MMR vaccination and autism. 

resources

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Vaccine-Safety-The-
Facts.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles


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We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Guardian Pediatrics family, Dr. Quinn Bensi, MD. With a passion for pediatrics, Dr. Bensi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our practice. After earning her medical degree from Southern University School of Medicine and completing her residency at Riley Hospital for Children, she transitioned into primary care in 2011. Dr. Bensi is dedicated to providing exceptional care for children and families, focusing on their health and well-being.

Outside of her practice, Dr. Bensi enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, catching up with loved ones, and indulging in activities like dancing, reading, and taking long walks with her pets. Her compassionate and well-rounded approach to pediatric care makes her a fantastic fit for our team!

Appointments with Dr. Bensi are now available! Call us at 317-848-3040 to schedule your visit, starting January 13, 2025.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bensi as she looks forward to building strong connections with our patients and community.


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Guardian Pediatrics is pleased to announce our upcoming flu clinics to help keep your family healthy this season. We will be hosting clinics on the following dates:

  • September 17th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM
  • September 25th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM
  • October 3rd from 5:00 – 7:00 PM

To ensure we can accommodate everyone, parents are asked to call and schedule a time for their child’s flu shot.

Protect your loved ones and call 317-848-3040 to schedule your appointment today! Thank you for choosing Guardian Pediatrics for your healthcare needs.


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We are excited to announce that Guardian Pediatrics will be hosting our first Flu Vaccine clinic of the season on September 19, 2023, starting at 4:30 pm. The clinic will be held at our office located at 11590 N. Meridian Street, Suite 170, Carmel, IN 46032. Don’t miss this opportunity to safeguard your child’s health.

A second flu clinic is now available. The second flu clinic is on September 28, 2023 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.

Please call ahead at 317-848-3040 to schedule your children for their flu vaccines. We look forward to seeing you and your family on September 19th!


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At Guardian Pediatrics, we put your child’s health first.
Our team of doctors sees children whose ages range from newborns through young adulthood.

Call 317-848-3040 for appointments and information.

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