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
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
It seems like only yesterday when you brought in your precious bundle of joys for their first well visits. Then you brought them regularly through their infant, toddler and school years for their well visits, making sure they grow and develop normally and receive their vaccines. Parents are on top of well visits during the
Last week’s tragedy in Lakewood was horrific. A nearly 2-year old beautiful girl was unintentionally left in the car and died from vehicular heat stroke. In other words, she was left in a locked car which rapidly heated up – and the outside temperature was only 69 degrees. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.
Dorothy and her compatriots in the The Wizard of Oz were on to something all those decades ago when they chanted, “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” on their odyssey to hobnob with the wizard. Today, children are a lot more anxious than they were when I first opened the door to private practice
The Pesach dishes are packed away and Chometz is now back. What is your pediatrician thinking about? The measles. Yes, the measles. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, surely you’ve read or seen the news that there is a measles outbreak in the United States, Europe and Israel. Unfortunately, the Orthodox Jewish world is
Adar is a time of simcha, of joy stemming from our connection with HaShem and with people. We should aspire to add more joy to our lives by deepening our connection with HaShem and with other people. We are doubly blessed this year with two Hebrew months of Adar. This year has afforded me with
They’re pretty and they surely enhance the look of your baby’s room. Yet I respectfully request that you refrain from indulging in crib bumpers, also known as “bumper pads” used in infants’ cribs. True confession: All seven Lightman children luxuriated in cribs festooned with bumpers. The youngest Lightman was born in 2003, two years before
Parents are familiar with this scenario. Your child wakes up in the morning complaining his throat is itchy and dry. It’s a sore throat. Actually, Mommy and Abba are convinced it is strep throat. They phone the pediatrician’s office, asking for an appointment. An immediate appointment. They want instant information. And medication to assassinate those
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Orthodox Union