Elise J. Herman, MD
retired Pediatrician, community health advocate and contributing blogger
Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. Her posts reflect pediatric topics like childhood development, family dynamics, and nutrition. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.
Dr. Elise J. Herman attending medical school at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and completed her residency at Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver Colorado.
Elise Herman, MD, joined other pediatric health care leaders for a panel discussion on “Insights from pediatric health care leaders on COVID-19 vaccines for children” hosted by the American Hospital Association (AHA), American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Association.
Philosophy of Practice
I feel fortunate to partner with parents as they raise their children! I am passionate about the building blocks of good health – good nutrition, lots of exercise, adequate sleep, etc. Pediatrics is a fascinating field because we are lucky to be able to watch kids grow up!
Blog Posts by Dr. Elise J. Herman
Teen Acne
Contributor Dr. Elise Herman Teen acne is very common, affecting 85% of adolescents. It can occur on the face, neck, back, shoulders, and chest. Mild acne usually resolves without scarring, but more severe acne can cause darkened areas and permanent depressions in the skin. Teen acne does improve in most by age 20, but in…
Helping Your Shy Child
By nature, some kids are more outgoing than others. Many children are shy and reserved when younger but become less so as they grow up. Being shy, however, just characterizes a child’s approach to the world (especially new situations) and does not have to be seen as a negative.
Preventing Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
RSV typically starts in fall, peaks in winter, and causes cold symptoms including runny nose, cough, and fever in children and adults. Most kids have had RSV by age 2. Although usually mild, RSV can cause more serious problems like wheezing, pneumonia, and trouble breathing.
Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in Teens
Contributor Dr. Elise Herman Although still a minority, more people are exploring plant-based diets, including teens. If your teen has expressed interest in this, you may wonder if being a vegetarian or vegan is nutritionally sound and how to handle this change at home. In some families, a diet different than the rest of the household…
Avoiding Picky Eating in Kids
Most parents are familiar with the ‘picky eater’- the child who is suspicious of new foods, has strong favorites, and may refuse to eat what the rest of the family is eating. Picky eating is very common in young children, but usually improves by age 5 years. This behavior occurs in part to exert some…
Wildfire Smoke Exposure and Children
As climate change causes a longer and more severe wildfire season, exposure to wildfire smoke in children is an increasing problem. Wildfire smoke is felt to be more dangerous than typical air pollution and kids (especially those under 5 years) are more vulnerable for multiple reasons.