Dr. Hylton I. Lightman is a senior statesman amongst pediatricians, an internationally-recognized authority and diagnostician, a public speaker, expert witness and go-to resource for health issues in the Orthodox Jewish community and beyond. Originally from South Africa, he started his current practice, Total Family Care of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, PC in 1987. Dr. Lightman is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP). Over the years, Dr. Lightman has served in a number of leadership roles: director of the adult allergy clinic at Louis Lasky Center, director of pediatric allergy and asthma at Queens General Hospital, and co-director of pediatric and adult outpatient allergy at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. Dr. Lightman is also a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. In addition, he is actively involved in teaching pediatric and family nurse practitioners through Columbia University, Pace University, Lehmann College, and Molloy College, as well as mentoring physician assistants through Touro College. As the Medical Director and a practicing physician, Dr. Lightman has an accessible and friendly manner with parents and children alike. He holds himself and the whole practice to the highest standards of medical excellence, whether it be a simple camp physical or a child with serious symptoms. He can be reached at drlightman@totalfamilycaremd.com
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 30% of antibiotics in this country are overprescribed and are unnecessary. Why? Antibiotics are wonderfully important, especially when necessary. The world should express gratitude to Sir Alexander Flemming (1881-1955) for inventing the world’s first antibiotic substance benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) from the mold called
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people ages 6+ months should receive the flu vaccine. In other words, this includes babies, toddlers, school age children, adolescents, young adults, pregnant adults, middle-aged adults and older adults. Why is the flu vaccine important for your children and you and your
You’ve heard from the doctor. It might be a postcard in the mail. Perhaps a “robo” call, text or an email. The doctor’s office is reaching out to you, informing you that your child is due for a well checkup. By asking parents to please call the office to schedule the visit, there is literally
Mom or dad is pushing the stroller down the bundle of joy inside the stroller. One hand of the parent pushes the stroller while the other hand holds a cell phone. Something engaging must be on that piece of glorified plastic because rather than interacting with the child, the parent is preoccupied with whatever is
Symbols. The ancient world had symbols for fertility, wealth, birth and death. Today’s world is replete with them. The blue-and- white wheelchair occupied by a stick figure. The red circle with a line imposed over a black lit cigarette. The peace sign. The list is endless. The power of symbols endures because symbols are creative,
A parent — this time, a United States war veteran — inadvertently left his one-year old set of twins in a hot car in New York City on Friday, which resulted in their deaths by heatstroke. I’m in pain, and as a pediatrician, father, and grandfather, I want to prevent any more of these kinds
I love it when it happens. Sometimes, parents-to-be (a couple expecting their first child) call, asking to meet with me in person. Their bundle of joy is on the way and they want to speak face-to-face prior to the arrival of their newborn and the subsequent first check-up. In the language of pediatrics, it is
Just a few short weeks ago, I celebrated 35 years of living in America and being an American citizen. 35 years. I have spent more time in my adopted country than in South Africa, my country of birth. Since the 4th of July is imminent, I am taking the opportunity to reflect on this extraordinary
School is winding down and summer vacation is gearing up. This country’s valued tradition of the long summer break in this country from school — in South Africa, where I was raised, children’s summer vacation from school is less than six weeks – is necessary for the physical, mental and emotional well being of children.
As I pen these lines, Shavuos is practically upon us. Wasn’t it just a few short moments ago that we were preparing for Pesach? Here comes another beautiful Jewish holiday, replete with prayers, food and, yes, family time. There will be lots of family togetherness during this 3-day Yom Tov. Yet some people are, frankly
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Orthodox Union