Get a Healthy Start for Back to School

Bright Minds, Healthy Futures. Back to School

Get ready for the school year with UTMB Health

We’re passionate about helping students, parents, teachers and communities start the new school year on a healthy note. Before all of the learning, growing, studying, mentoring, teaching and molding of the new year ensues, take a moment to first prioritize and check in on your health.

Let’s get started!

Are you and your crew up-to-date on:

Back to School

Vaccinations

Annual Exams

Vision & hearing screenings

Diagnostic testing

Medication Refills

Sports physicals

A visit with a primary care provider is a good place to start to check these off of your to-do list!

Find a primary care provider

Check to see if UTMB Health is in your network

young boy smiling with a bandaid on his shoulder
Did You Know… Starting at age 12, all pediatric well-visits include a mental health assessment.

Plan ahead for the unexpected:

Back to School

Urgent Care

Emergency Care

Trauma Care

We know accidents, injuries and illnesses can happen at any time, that’s why we have numerous Urgent Care clinics and a dedicated 24/7 Pediatric ER at our Clear Lake Campus available for when the unexpected strikes.

Locate an Urgent Care or ER near you

Check to see if UTMB Health is in your network

young lady with school books and backpack

Did You Know… The American Academy of Optometry recommends children between 6 to 17 years of age have an annual comprehensive eye exam.

Use the UTMB ‘FindHelp’ tool to find resources:

From financial assistance to food pantries, medical care and more, search for free or reduced-cost services available in our area and close to home.

Use the FindHelp tool now

“Don’t be afraid to try new things!  It’s okay to make mistakes, just try again.”
– Ann Varghese, UTMB hospital administrator
High school graduate c/o 1996, Missouri City, TX 
“Be kinder to yourself and always know your worth.”
– Blien Tekleab, UTMB student
High school graduate c/o 2021, Dallas, TX
“Live as authentically as you're able."

– Sarah Bosworth, UTMB student

High school graduate c/o 2011, Texas City, TX
“Explore boundlessly; revel in your creativity; stay insatiably curious.”
– Dr. Aisen Caro Chacin, UTMB professor
High school graduate c/o 2004, Sugar Land, TX
“You are never done with education; it’s a lifelong adventure.”
– Dr. Olugbenga Ojo, UTMB professor
High school graduate c/o 1985; Lagos, Nigeria 
“Even the hard days end eventually; tomorrow’s a chance to hit the reset button.”
– Chris Connolly, UTMB student
High school graduate c/o 2006, Katy, TX

Year-round Resources:

Seasonal allergies bogging down your family?
Questions about periods and puberty?
Curious how to have the best sleep possible?

We cover all of that and more in helpful blog posts and videos available to you year-round.

Student athletes and sports injuries

From concussions to injuries that may require surgery, Dr. Stacy Leung covers what to do if your student athlete is injured playing or practicing their favorite sport.

male coach in red shirt and gray shorts consoling injured female athlete sitting on track gripping knee

UTMB health tackles physical and mental aspects of athletic injuries

If your athlete experiences an accident or injury, know that UTMB Health experts are equipped to help with the mental and physical aspects of recovery every step of the way.

Asian daughter wearing a school uniform and backpack sitting to the left of her mother. She is holding her mother's hand and they are conversing and smiling looking at each other

Try asking these questions when your kids get home from school

Dr. Jeff Temple shares tips for having meaningful conversations and check-ins with your children after school and every day.

image of Priest Simpson sharing a thumbs up while playing football wearing Riddell helmet

Student athlete healed by UTMB Sports Medicine team

When student athlete Priest Simpson injured his leg, the UTMB Health Sports Medicine team worked hard to repair the damage and get him back on the field after a full recovery.

image of adolescent brunette girl with glasses and a red and white striped shirt coughing while sitting at a table covered in books and notebooks.

Respiratory viruses and back-to-school

Communities in the area are seeing an uptick in individuals with COVID-19, and with that experts are reminding it's not too soon to think about other respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV.

image of adult woman sitting next to boy facing a computer

UTMB experts share tips for parents, children navigating academic changes, emotional stress

As back-to-school season unfolds and children face the challenges of new academic milestones, UTMB Health experts offer advice, tips and tricks to help all members of the family cope with the feelings and emotions that come with seasons of change and uncertainty.

boy with glasses lying in bed holding a tablet in front of his face

Screen time guidelines for kids

According to the American Academy of Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry, children should have no more than two to three hours of screen time a day. It's important to monitor not just how long children are on devices, but also what content they're consuming during that time.

Asian mother and daughter sitting at a table with an open laptop and a sheet of paper

Make an action plan for back to school

Think ahead and use our back-to-school action plan to help you and your crew stay healthy and happy this school year.

a young child wearing a button down shirt and a bow tie seated at a table, gazing at a head of broccoli being presented to them.

Healthy eating for children

A well-balanced diet is essential for healthy growth and development, so be sure your child is getting a good mix of proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

image of mom and two daughters selecting clothes for the day. all three have strawberry blonde hair. The girls are sitting on a bench by their clothes while the mom holds up a jacked on a hanger to the right.

Morning routines and back to school

A good morning routine starts at night. Learn what steps you can take to help make getting out the door easier for everyone in the family.

illustration of black father - drawn dressed in a white t-shirt holding a book - with child reading a bedtime story.

Bedtime tips from a pediatrician

Dr. Linda Neely-Shelmire knows sleep is a pillar of a child's good health, so she's passionate about helping parents establish solid bedtime routines.

Young boy with gray shirt and gray backpack in front of school with left arm exposed revealing a bandaid on the upper portion of his arm.

Back-to-school immunizations

Pediatrician Dr. Lee Elam offers a high-level breakdown of some of the typical vaccinations needed throughout childhood.

Caucasian boy with glasses playing basketball with younger black boy on an outdoor court in the sun with a palm tree in the background

Avoiding sports-related heat injuries

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses include nausea, fatigue, headaches and muscle cramps. Staying hydrated, taking breaks and seeking shade are just some ways to beat the heat and stay healthy.

image of individual lying on ground while another person performs CPR

Cardiac Arrest - What you need to know

In the wake of the cardiac arrest episode experienced by NFL player Damar Hamlin, UTMB pediatric cardiologist Dr. Ashraf Aly took some time out to visit with our friends at Houston Moms to answer some important questions surrounding the heart and how it works.

Pediatric Eye Care 101

UTMB Health’s Dr. Ashton Ehlers gives Meagan an overview of pediatric eye care-what to know, current guidelines, when to see a specialist and more.

Health and wellness with UTMB Health and Houston Moms

Puberty, Adolescence & Birth Control, oh my!

UTMB experts Dr. Emily Calasanz and Dr. Beth Auslander share their tips on navigating the uncomfortable and unfamiliar waters of puberty with our kids.

image of Black female sneezing into a tissue in front of plant with pink flowers and green leaves

Seasonal Allergies 101

Board-certified allergy expert Dr. Jennifer McCracken joined Meagan Clanahan of the Houston Moms Blog to discuss helpful tips and tricks about seasonal allergies.

Stay in the Game: Prevent Sports Injuries

Eight simple, but effective tips to prevent injuries during practice and competition.

middle aged caucasian female physician holding finger in front of the face of a young female athlete

Sports Physicals - Know the facts

Dr. Namita Bhardwaj joined Meagan Clanahan of Houston Moms to discuss all things sports medicine--sports physicals, safety protocols and best practices during COVID and more.

Stay on Track with Your Kid’s Vaccs

Know when your child's next routine vaccination is due to help prevent disease.

Back to School Wellness

Dr. Manuela Murray joined Meagan Clanahan of the Houston Moms Blog to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine, back-to-school well-checks and more.

The importance of your child's annual wellness checkup

Annual well visits are an important check point for children of all ages.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: What causes a concussion?

Learn more about mild traumatic brain injuries with Dr. Matthew Propst.

Sleep Deprivation: Am I Sleep Deprived?

Learn some helpful tips to prevent sleep deprivation with Dr. Rizwana Sultana, MD.

Vision Care for Pediatric and Special Needs Patients

A common saying is to “try to see the world through the eyes of a child.” Children have the amazing ability to show authenticity, vulnerability, laughter, tears, and adaptability in almost any situation. They also experience a great deal of development in both vision and cognitive skills from year to year.

forlorn adolescent girl on phone in dark room behind laptop screen

Cyberbullying - What to do

Dr. Jeff Temple offers insight and advice on what to do if you or someone you know is plagued by bullying either in person or virtually.

View the full Health Blog for additional resources