Guest Contributor, Author at Nemours Blog

ASSOCIATE HIGHLIGHT

Donate Life Month: Jamaica Pediatric Living Related Donor Liver Transplant Program

Growing up in rural Jamaica, Dr. Judith A. Jones was inspired by the idea of helping others. In a community where the only female healthcare professionals she saw were nurses, her older brother’s encouragement sparked the realization that she, too, could become a doctor. “It reinforces for me to this day how a casual comment can change the trajectory of a child’s life, making things possible that were not previously dreamt of,” says Dr. Jones. “My big brother told me I could be a doctor, and so I did, because it was the way in which I believed I could help people. As a young girl, I had an overwhelming sense that I should help people when I grew up. My parents were incredibly hard-working and were professionals despite coming from humble beginnings. Their example and encouragement also led me to pursue medicine as my life’s work.” Her career led […]

PATIENT STORIES

Limb Loss & Limb Differences Awareness Month: Jaiden’s Story

Jaiden’s medical journey began with a diagnosis of Fibular Hemimelia during a routine anatomy scan at just 20 weeks into his mother, Megan’s, pregnancy. Little did they know, this diagnosis would lead them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Upon learning about her son’s condition, Megan was very shocked. “It was unexpected, but we knew we had to do everything we could to give Jaiden the best chance at a fulfilling life,” she shares. “Though Jaiden always got around fine, if he didn’t have surgery, his legs would be drastically uneven and would not be able to walk.” Their journey with Nemours Children’s began in 2012 when Megan sought a second opinion on Jaiden’s condition. “A family friend suggested Nemours, and from the moment we walked through the doors, we knew we were in good hands,” Megan reflects. Dr. L. Reid Nichols, a renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon, became an integral part […]

PATIENT STORIES

Donate Life Month: Luca’s Story

From the moment he was born, Luca has been full of surprises. He entered the world in February 2022, a month earlier than expected. Anticipating a baby girl, complete with a gender reveal celebration, Luca’s parents were surprised by his arrival. Their anatomy scan’s mistaken prediction left them pleasantly surprised by their baby boy. Shortly thereafter, concerns arose regarding Luca’s kidney health, along with some unfavorable lab results. Luca was transported to the NICU and later taken to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “When the doctors at Inspira Mullica Hill started to get an inkling that Luca had serious kidney issues, they recommended right away that we be transferred to Nemours Children’s,” says his mother, Cory. “We appreciated their honesty so much, as they explained to us that they didn’t have the capability to deal with Luca appropriately. One doctor even said that if this was his child, he would have […]

UNCATEGORIZED

A Heart to Remember: Brayden’s Heart Transplant Story

When Brayden was born, he was premature and was having a hard time gaining weight. His family took him to weekly weight checks with little to no change taking place. After a change of pediatricians, they were told he had a heart murmur. Brayden and his family were referred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for further evaluation with the cardiac team. Brayden was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, requiring the initiation of medication to observe his response. With additional testing, the diagnosis of Barth Syndrome was confirmed. Barth Syndrome is a rare condition that causes an enlarged and weakened heart, weakness in muscles, frequent infections, and more. Due to his inability to gain weight, a G-tube, otherwise known as a Mickey button, was placed to provide extra calories and nutrition to Brayden which overnight feeds. Brayden received yearly cardiac catheterizations to monitor the function of his heart. In December 2014, when […]

PATIENT STORIES

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month: Cara’s Story

Cara’s story started when she was very young, and her family sought medical help to understand why she fell often. After visits to various specialists, including optometrists, orthopedists, and neurologists, an MRI revealed a spinal cord tumor. Three days later, Cara underwent surgery, leaving her left leg without any feeling or ability to control movement. This led to several years of KFO braces, rehabilitation, emotional processing, and accidental injuries that posed diagnostic challenges due to the lack of sensation in her leg. Cara received a diagnosis of Charcot joint in her knee, after numerous bone infections, surgeries, and prolonged hospital stays. By the time Cara was entering the eighth grade, she decided she wanted her life to have more freedom from her diagnosis. Compiling her thoughts into a comprehensive letter, Cara presented her case for leg amputation to Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Dr. Jeanne Franzone, and […]

EMOTIONAL & MENTAL WELLNESS

Panel at Nemours Children’s Hospital Discusses Teen Mental Health and Social Media

Delaware students Maxine and Vivian Ruggerio aren’t immune to the allure of social media. But they also believe that most teens are struggling to navigate the online world. From perfectly edited images to overtures from strangers, social media presents a minefield of challenging issues. The sisters are working on an e-book to provide tips to teens who want to protect their mental health and personal safety while online. As they researched their book, they conducted a survey of peers, discovering that 100% of their respondents used social media. More than half said social media made them feel stressed or bad about themselves. And more than half felt that more controls are needed, such as added privacy or safety features. Maxine and Vivian joined psychologists from Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware in a recent panel discussion on teen mental health and social media. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings; Delaware State Rep. Krista […]

PATIENT STORIES

Donate Life Month: Everlee’s Story

Everlee’s story begins with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, at the age of 17 months. Her mother, Jenna, recalls the moment when she first noticed something amiss with her daughter’s health. “It was right around Christmas of 2022,” says Jenna. As first-time parents, Jenna and Jarod couldn’t shake the feeling that Everlee’s belly seemed larger than normal. Despite reassurances from pediatricians, inklings of concern persisted, especially when family members echoed their observations. “Something just seemed off,” says Jenna. “I was giving her a bath one day, and I laid her out on the towel and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, she just looks so bloated.’” Alarmed, Jenna wasted no time in seeking medical attention. She was able to get Everlee in to see her local pediatrician at their last appointment for the day on Friday, January 13th. The routine examination led to the discovery of a […]

ASSOCIATE HIGHLIGHT

Child Life Month: Julia and the Tiny Tots Program

Amid the beeping machines of the hospital, there exists a beacon of hope and joy in the form of our dedicated Child Life department. Julia Greco has been a Child Life specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for the past two years. With her warm smile and gentle demeanor, Julia has made it her mission to ensure that even the youngest patients find comfort and happiness during their stay. “It is so important to us that our patients don’t miss out on childhood experiences,” says Julia. “The child life department at Nemours Children’s Health is dedicated to providing patients and families free services and activities to make their lives as normal as possible despite their situation.” Julia received a bachelor’s degree in human development & family studies from Penn State and furthered her education in child life studies at Missouri State. She was drawn to this career path because of how special and unique […]

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Hudson’s Story

Hudson’s journey with cerebral palsy began at just 3 months old when he was diagnosed with polymicrogyria. His parents, determined to give him the best care possible, sought out specialized treatment. Their quest led them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida where they found not just medical expertise, but a supportive community dedicated to Hudson’s well-being. Before Nemours Children’s, Hudson had already undergone care at various children’s hospitals in North Carolina and Colorado. However, it was when they were referred to Nemours that Hudson’s family found a comprehensive approach to his care, encompassing not just medical treatment but also emotional support and encouragement. “We love Nemours,” Hudson’s mom shares. “Every encounter we have with doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff has been exceptional. Dr. Malone is just outstanding! He is approachable, caring and kind. I felt that he is fully committed to benefit the kids he serves. He is also an […]

ASSOCIATE HIGHLIGHT

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Mary Bailey Mehta, MD

Dr. Mary Mehta’s journey into the medical profession was inspired by her upbringing on a farm. When she was young, her initial aspirations leaned towards veterinary medicine. However, her focus shifted during high school, leading her towards a career in pediatric medicine ever since. Dr. Mehta has been dedicated to serving the needs of children throughout the Panhandle for 18 years. In 2004, she moved to Pensacola as a pediatric cardiologist for Nemours Children’s Health, where she was named Chief Medical Officer in 2008. “I wanted to move to a community that could offer a more balanced life for my family,” says Dr. Mehta. What drew her particularly to Nemours was its unwavering dedication to pediatric care. “It was important to me to be in a system that is completely focused on children. I’ve been in hospitals where you’re fighting for the resources you need to provide the best possible […]

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Richard H. Sandler, MD

On this Doctors’ Day, Nemours Children’s Health spotlights one of its esteemed physicians, Dr. Richard H. Sandler. Dr. Sandler is a physician in the Gastroenterology department at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. His journey to becoming a doctor was inspired by a love for science, problem-solving, and a deep-rooted desire to help people. After majoring in nuclear engineering in college, he took a detour to work for the US Senate Environment Subcommittee. Here, his passion for making an impact on people’s lives became evident. In 1975, the realization that medicine was the perfect fit set him on a path he remains grateful for every day. Recruited in 2011 to build the GI division and pediatrics department at the new Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Dr. Sandler developed a connection with the institution and his colleagues. For him, the heart of Nemours lies in the caring, smart, hardworking, and devoted community of doctors […]

ASSOCIATE HIGHLIGHT

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Sarah R. Gibson, MD

Nemours Children’s Health takes pride in spotlighting the remarkable individuals who go beyond their roles as physicians. Dr. Sarah R. Gibson, a Pediatric Sports Medicine Physician in the Department of Orthopedics at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida exemplifies this dedication not only through her expertise but also through her hobbies outside of medicine. Dr. Gibson’s journey to becoming a physician was shaped by a blend of passions and interests. “I always had an interest in medicine,” says Dr. Gibson, “Particularly human health and physiology, but I had a lot of other varied interests as well. I enjoyed playing sports and I also had an interest in sports journalism. Prior to medical school, I would spend my winters taking premed classes and my summers dabbling in sports journalism. I was on the Kentucky Derby staff, helping run the media center during Derby week, helping ABC Sports and NBC Sports with coverage of […]

POSTED BY: Guest Contributor

POSTED BY:
Guest Contributor