Meet Dr. Nicole Aaronson, Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Since she was a little girl, Dr. Aaronson held a passion for problem-solving, science, and aiding others. Because of this, she set her sights on a career in medicine early on. It was during her medical school years that she decided she wanted to be a surgeon, fueled by a desire to fix problems with her hands. This drive led her to pursue a fellowship, ultimately guiding her to Nemours Children’s, where she found a home among like-minded individuals dedicated to providing care to every child who walks through the doors.
“What I love about Nemours is that everyone is here trying to do the right thing for our patients and families,” says Dr. Aaronson. “Otolaryngology is a very busy division with a lot of clinic visits, OR cases, and inpatient consults. This could feel overwhelming, but our team from our coordinators to our nurses to our physician assistants to our doctors always pitch in to make sure the work gets done so that every child can get the care they need. There’s not a day I’m here that I’m not reminded of how great my team is.”
Beyond her work in the hospital, Dr. Aaronson has some unique hobbies and interests. An avid writer, she delves into various genres, from captivating short stories to children’s books. She is even writing a full-length mystery novel that is currently awaiting publication. Using her creativity, she also makes informative YouTube videos aimed at educating families about pediatric ENT conditions, demonstrating her commitment to patient education beyond the clinical setting.
Dr. Aaronson’s literary pursuits are intertwined with her medical practice, with her experiences as a surgeon. “A lot of my writing is inspired by being a surgeon. I started writing narrative medicine pieces as a resident. The process of telling a story of my interaction with a patient helped to process those experiences.”
During her fellowship, Dr. Aaronson noticed that many of her patients looked different from their peers. This was often because they used assistive devices like tracheostomies or cochlear implants, or they had craniofacial abnormalities or syndromes. “I would notice that this sometimes made them feel excluded and lonely,” says Dr. Aaronson. “While kids often have a hard time talking about their feelings, they often can express them by attributing to their stuffed animals. I wanted to tell a story about differences and acceptances through animals so that children could relate to the feelings expressed in a safe and comfortable way.”
One of Dr. Aaronson’s achievements outside of medicine is her publication of “Porcupine Hugs,” a children’s book that addresses themes of acceptance and friendship. “It tells the story of Prudence, a lost porcupine, who struggles to make friends because of her quills,” says Dr. Aaronson. “She eventually meets Agnes the armadillo, who has protective scales, and the two friends find their way home together. Porcupines aren’t immediately evident as cuddly, loveable creatures because of their spines. But I thought kids—especially kids who themselves look or feel different—would understand that even a porcupine wants friendship, acceptance, and understanding.” Dr. Aaronson’s passion for healing extends far beyond the operating room, embodying Nemours’ commitment to patient care and compassion. We are honored to have her as part of our family, shaping healthier futures for children each day, both within the hospital walls and beyond.
