At 11 years old, music was Garikoitz’s passion, but something was standing in the way. As a young violinist, he found himself constantly falling behind during rehearsals, arriving late on every note. What seemed like a simple coordination issue was actually something far more significant: a hearing problem that was affecting every aspect of Garikoitz’s life.
In the classroom, teachers mistook his struggles for attention difficulties. “In reality, I just wasn’t receiving information fast enough to respond,” says Garikoitz. He felt stuck, unable to keep pace through no fault of his own.
His mother sensed that something deeper was at play and made the decision to seek help at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.
A Compassionate Approach to Care
From the moment they walked through the doors, the family was met with warmth and understanding. Audiologists Teresa C. Tray and Elyssa McRae conducted comprehensive hearing evaluations, quickly pinpointing the underlying issue. Their thorough assessment led to care with Chief of Otolaryngology, Dr. Cedric Pritchett, who would soon change everything.
Dr. Pritchett performed a detailed nasal endoscopy and ear microscopy examination to better understand the problem. Shortly after, he performed the surgery that would transform not just his hearing, but Garikoitz’s entire future.
The follow-up care proved just as exceptional as the initial treatment. “Dr. Pritchett’s team treated us with kindness every step of the way, and a year later my continued care was overseen by Dr. Santino Cervantes, who also played an important role in my recovery,” says Garikoitz.
The Ripple Effect of Restored Hearing
The results were nothing short of life-changing.
With his hearing restored, Garikoitz’s grades began to climb and his confidence was restored. Most importantly, he could finally hear the music he loved with clarity and precision. Garikoitz went on to earn the position of first chair in the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, became a soloist, and collected multiple excellence awards—achievements that once seemed impossible.
“Nemours didn’t just fix a medical problem,” Garikoitz reflects. “They watered a seed that had been growing inside me. Because I could hear again, I could learn, grow, and discover my purpose.”
Coming Full Circle
Today, at 19 years old, that young violinist has applied to medical school. Inspired by the compassionate care he received at Nemours Children’s, Garikoitz has set his sights on becoming a physician. “My goal is to follow the example set by the Nemours team: to become a compassionate, warm, and dedicated physician just like those who cared for me at Nemours,” he shares.
His commitment to medicine extends far beyond the classroom. Garikoitz volunteers weekly at his local hospital’s Medical Surgical Unit and Emergency Department, gaining firsthand experience in patient care. He also assists with clinical research involving Type 2 Diabetes patients, contributing to work that may one day improve outcomes for countless individuals. To deepen his understanding of medicine, Garikoitz has also shadowed physicians across multiple specialties—including emergency medicine, radiology, otolaryngology, and general surgery—both at Nemours and other hospitals.
“I carry wonderful memories from Nemours, and I am forever grateful,” says Garikoitz. The doctors and audiologists who cared for him didn’t just treat a condition; they opened a world of possibility. Now, he pursues a dream that feels both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. He hopes to carry on the legacy of healing that Nemours instilled in him through his own treatment.
“One day, instead of being a Nemours patient, I hope to return as a Nemours doctor.”
