POSTED BY:
Guest Contributor

“Dr. Gannon and the whole team changed my life … Dr. Berman is incredible at what she does. She saved my life and I’m forever grateful for her.” – Jenna, patient When I was 13 years old, I went for a routine well visit. My doctor was doing an examination on my neck and noticed my thyroid felt enlarged. She sent me to get labs and an ultrasound. My labs confirmed that I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Then, we received the results from my ultrasound. It showed that I had two thyroid nodules. I had a small one on my left side, and then a bigger one on my right. The border of the nodule was irregular and calcified. This looked suspicious. I was referred to a Nemours endocrinologist, Dr. Doyle. He told my mom and I that he recommends another ultrasound and to visit another endocrinologist who specializes in treating […]

Brooke knows firsthand the challenges of living with back pain. As a dedicated gymnast, she had always been active and driven, but last fall, her world shifted when lingering pain from a back injury turned into something much more debilitating. “My back pain heavily influenced my everyday life,” Brooke shared. “I had to quit gymnastics and was in pain all the time. I couldn’t go an hour without some sort of pain or ache throughout my back.” The search for answers was anything but easy. From August to November, Brooke and her family visited multiple doctors, only to leave each appointment without a diagnosis. Their frustration continued until September, when they found Dr. Shah at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “He immediately knew what was wrong and how to address it,” shares Brooke. “No other doctor had been able to at that point.” Dr. Shah diagnosed Brooke with spondylolysis, a condition […]

It’s no surprise that children diagnosed with cardiac disease often experience anxiety or depression. Their caregivers may also struggle with mental health as they navigate treatment. Dr. Erica Sood and Dr. Joselyn Kenowitz, both pediatric psychologists at the Nemours Cardiac Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware emphasize the importance of providing mental health support in cardiac settings to address challenges early and prevent worsening issues. Their work highlights the need for comprehensive mental health programs  from diagnosis through young adulthood, with initiatives like HEARTPrep for prenatal support and the Milestones Program to address developmental and mental health needs. The goal is to ensure families are prepared for the mental health impacts of congenital heart disease (CHD) and have access to necessary resources. 1. How is mental health connected to cardiac care? Dr. Sood: The stress of cardiac care in the hospital and at home can affect the mental health of […]

On the second day after Nello’s birth, a doctor, in the hospital, initially diagnosed him with hemihypertrophy. However, due to additional side effects associated with the condition, we understood that further testing would be necessary to confirm and fully understand his diagnosis. Prior to receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, we found ourselves frequently visiting doctors to rule out potential diagnoses and ultimately determine the full scope of his medical condition. We discovered Nemours Children’s because someone recommended Dr. Thacker, an orthopedic doctor, and we made an appointment immediately. For 14 years, Dr. Thacker has been our trusted physician. His charismatic personality, exceptional bedside manner, and genuine empathy create a uniquely comforting patient experience. During appointments, I never feel rushed; instead, he makes me feel like the most important patient of the day. Our first visit to Nemours immediately impressed us with its efficient and organized environment. The clinicians […]

“When your child is in the hospital it affects everyone. I am thankful that Nemours recognizes this and has resources to support families through times of hospitalization and ongoing care.” – Easton’s mom, Brandi Easton was diagnosed at 20 weeks’ gestation with tetralogy of Fallot. I was being seen as a high-risk pregnancy due to advanced maternal age and previous miscarriage. When we discovered the heart condition, we began seeing Nemours Children’s cardiology [Nemours Cardiac Center] and I was connected with the OB team at Nemours [Advanced Delivery Program] with the plan being to deliver at Nemours with a scheduled C-section at 38 weeks. But Easton had other plans. At 36 weeks, my water broke, and I checked in at our local hospital 1.5 hours away from Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Due to his prematurity and availability at the time to deliver at Nemours, I was transferred by ambulance to […]

At 17 years old, Haley is already a seasoned competitor on the golf course, but her path to success hasn’t been without challenges. Diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at age 12, Haley’s journey brought her to Nemours Children’s Health, Winter Garden, where she found the care and support she needed to thrive. It all started in 6th grade when Haley’s trainer noticed that one side of her back was higher than the other during a routine assessment at a sports-specific gym. A visit to her pediatrician and an X-ray confirmed a 34-degree curve in her spine. Initially, treatment included wearing a nighttime back brace from 6th to 9th grade, but the curve progressed to 52 degrees over the next two years, requiring spinal fusion surgery. By the time she started high school, Haley started experiencing back pain, which impacted her sleep and daily life—and, more importantly, her golf game. “The […]