Born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) – a diaphragm condition that has led to asthma, gastroparesis, and scoliosis – 14-year-old Rylee has been in her fair share of doctor’s appointments. Through family moves and changing health systems, one thing has remained constant throughout Rylee’s care: Dr. Joseph Khoury.

“We first met Dr. Khoury in Birmingham, AL,” shares Rylee’s mom, Allison. “We’ve followed him to different hospital locations for treatments with scoliosis from her birth defect. Her treatments started when she was 6 months old with Mehta castings for a year and a half and then began providence brace(s) until her bone age stopped growing.”
Rylee and her family discovered Nemours Children’s Health, Lakeland when Dr. Khoury began working at the practice. “We followed our wonderful orthopedic specialist to Nemours,” says Allison. At Nemours Children’s, they’ve connected with an expert team of specialists that have become like family.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the nurses and staff alongside seeing our favorite Dr. Khoury each visit,” shares Allison. “Everyone is so friendly is which is definitely heartwarming, especially traveling to and from Tallahassee, FL for each visit.”
Today, Rylee is in the process of weaning off wearing the brace that she has come to know all her 14 years of life. “We’re hopeful about Rylee’s future and will be staying with Dr Khoury for as long as he’ll have us,” says Allison. “He’s literally considered ‘family’ to us!”

When asked what advice she would give to another parent navigating a similar diagnosis, Allison says, “You are in great company and know even if there are not always clear answers, Nemours will do their best to treat patients as best as they can with the circumstances.” Throughout Rylee’s life, she and her family have trusted Dr. Khoury to guide them. Their journey, now continuing at Nemours Children’s Health, is a reminder of the impact of expert, personalized care can make. Dr. Khoury’s knowledge, compassion, and consistency have provided not just treatment, but hope. It’s care worth following, the kind of care Nemours is proud to provide every day.