From the day he was born, Elijah has been surrounded by a team of experts at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, who are dedicated to helping him reach his full potential. Born with several medical complexities, Elijah has met each challenge head-on, making remarkable strides every step of the way. “Nemours has always given Elijah a head start with all his goals,” shares his mom, Priscilla. “He’s been with them since day one.”
Priscilla first discovered Nemours Children’s when her oldest son, Elias, needed sleep studies for asthma. The exceptional care Elias received made Nemours an easy choice for Elijah’s treatment. Throughout Elijah’s journey, Nemours has remained a constant source of support.
Over the years, Elijah’s care has involved many specialists, including neonatologist Dr. Caroline Chua, who cared for him during his early days in the NICU, and plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Kellogg, who has been instrumental in addressing Elijah’s unique needs. His orthopedics team, including Dr. Jason Malone, Joseph Manning, PA-C, and Kaitlin Maher, PA-C has worked tirelessly to help Elijah grow stronger. Most recently, Dr. Shawn Standard joined the team to provide additional expertise. Elijah also benefits from the care of Dr. Maria Ocasio-Silva in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Emalie Schneider, OTR helps Elijah with his splints, and cardiologist Dr. Yalim Yalcin has ensured that his heart health remains a priority.
Elijah’s medical journey has included surgeries, therapies, and treatments for conditions ranging from spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy to radial club hand. He has undergone more than ten surgeries, and Priscilla trusts the care he receives. “I know he is always in good hands,” she shares.
Looking ahead, Priscilla is confident in the continued partnership with Nemours. “My plans for the future with Elijah’s journey are to keep it going with Nemours,” she said. “I know they have the best intentions when it comes to my son.”
Priscilla encourages other parents navigating similar journeys to remain patient and focus on small victories. “No matter how challenging things might seem, everything can be tackled bit by bit,” she says.
Elijah continues to achieve milestones with determination and the unwavering support of his family and Nemours. Together, they are paving the way for his bright future, one step at a time.
