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In February 2023, we noticed a sore develop on Charlie’s side. But being a normal 3-year-old little boy, we shook it off as a stick poke or a bug bite from playing outside. As time progressed, not only did the sore get bigger, but Charlie started falling asleep on the couch and experiencing fevers of 102-103 degrees. We took Charlie to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida’s Emergency Room in Orlando where the doctors closely examined him before calling in Dr. Alexander, an infectious disease specialist. Dr. Alexander was very kind and helped us think through different ideas of what this could be. They took a biopsy and sent us home on an antibiotic and instructions to follow up with our pediatrician. A week later, there had been no signs of healing. Charlie’s lymph node in his armpit near the wound had become swollen. After following up with his pediatrician two times […]

Among the many experts at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida is Dr. Lonna Gordon, an Adolescent Medicine specialist. She has devoted her life to shaping health outcomes for the second decade of life – a pivotal period that lays the foundation for a lifetime of well-being. Dr. Gordon shares her passion for her work: “The second decade of life is the most instrumental in shaping your health outcomes for life. I love that I get to be a part of teaching that group of people how to best care for their health.” Her decision to pursue a career in medicine was driven by her desire to guide young individuals through the transformative journey of adolescence, a time of transition, development, and self-discovery. Dr. Gordon’s journey came full circle as she found herself working at the institution that had played a significant role in her own childhood. “I grew up in Florida, […]

Discover Heroic Harry’s Inspirational Sarcoma Journey | A 5-Year-Old’s Courageous Battle Against Adversity and Cancer at Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Since beginning his career with Nemours, Dr. Larry Fox has felt the pairing was a great fit. He says, “I’ve been at Nemours for over 24 years now, so clearly it was!” Dr. Fox currently serves as the Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. In addition to the care he provides in Jacksonville, Dr. Fox also has a passion for international medicine and helping children around the globe. He has had the opportunity to live out his passion by becoming a member of the Nemours Mongolia care team. In 2012, a team of Nemours medical personnel, including specialists in Pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, pathology, hematology/oncology, neurosurgery, and pediatric nursing, began visiting Mongolia in honor of a patient who passed away from complications arising from leukemia. While there, the multidisciplinary team works at a children’s hospital in Ulaanbaatar to train Mongolian doctors. Since his first trip in […]

Discover Sandy’s remarkable three-decade nursing journey, from pediatric care to prestigious ICU roles. Explore her extensive experience and commitment to excellence as she goes “Well Beyond Medicine” for patients and families.

In May 2021, the Italiano family was faced with news that would forever alter their lives. Luciana Italiano, affectionately known as “Lulu,” was diagnosed with Stage L2 Neuroblastoma at just three days old. Luciana’s diagnosis came unexpectedly when a tumor was discovered on her neck shortly after birth. “May 19 was a great and exciting day that turned into nightmare,” says, Lulu’s mother, Carey. “It is an intimidating experience when a newborn baby receives a cancer diagnosis,” says Nemours Children’s Health Hematologist/Oncologist, Dr. Andrew Walter. “Instead of simply celebrating the joy of welcoming a new, healthy child into the world, family members must quickly meet with pediatric specialists and consultants to discuss diagnosis and treatment options and undergo a series of test and procedures. The family doesn’t even have the time to go home and rest.” After being transported to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware shortly after Lulu’s birth, the hospital became the […]