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When Andrew, now 28, reflects on his journey with Nemours Children’s Health, he describes it as nothing short of miraculous. Diagnosed with hepatoblastoma that had metastasized to his lungs and brain as a child, Andrew’s journey to recovery has been thanks to his expert medical care and unwavering support system. In November 1999, 3-year-old Andrew woke up in the middle of the night complaining of shoulder and abdomen pain. His parents, concerned, took him to the pediatrician in Augusta, Georgia, where appendicitis was initially suspected, and surgery scheduled. However, a perceptive surgeon, recalling a rare medical condition from his studies, insisted on further tests. The results were alarming: Andrew’s cancer markers were sky-high, pointing to a serious diagnosis. The local medical team quickly realized they needed specialized help, so he was transferred to a children’s hospital. The surgeons there reached out to Dr. Adela Casas-Melley, who was working at Nemours […]

Kathryn Sparger’s journey to becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist was inspired by her sister, who witnessed the incredible impact child life specialists have on patients and their families during her time in nursing school. This insight sparked Kathryn’s interest and set her on a path that she quickly fell in love with. “Child life is such a special career path,” Kathryn shares. “I’m so grateful to our kids and families who have invited me into their lives to care for them.” Kathryn always knew that Nemours Children’s Health was the place she wanted to be a part of. The supportive and mission-driven environment at our hospital in Orlando has allowed her to thrive and provide the best care possible for her patients. Working with the Hematology and Oncology team has been one of the highlights of Kathryn’s career. “I absolutely love my hem/onc team. They are true heroes. They […]

Alek is a courageous patient whose journey with severe kyphoscoliosis led him across the globe to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Kyphoscoliosis is a dangerous condition that affects the spine. It causes an abnormal curve in two directions, side to side and front to back. It is a combination of two other conditions: kyphosis, which causes a severely rounded appearance of the back, and scoliosis, where the vertebrae form a curvature instead of being straight. Alek’s diagnosis unfolded in Poland in 2010 when he was a young boy. The road ahead seemed daunting as his condition gradually worsened. “Before starting treatment at Nemours Children’s, Aleksander’s condition was very bad,” shares his family. “He had trouble with breathing and couldn’t eat and walk. He lived in chronic pain.” It wasn’t until after a failed operation in Poland that Alek’s family discovered Nemours Children’s. Referred by their physician in Poland, Alek and his […]

At 11 months old, Georgia has already shown incredible resilience and strength throughout her life. Diagnosed with isolated nonsyndromic unilateral craniosynostosis at 8 weeks of age, Georgia’s journey has been a whirlwind of medical appointments, treatments, and hopeful recovery. Karin and Edwin knew early on that something was different about their daughter, Georgia’s, head shape. They voiced their concerns during her 1-month and 2-month check-ups. At her 2-month appointment, the nurse practitioner conducted a thorough examination. It was then that they noticed an absence of the soft spot on the top of Georgia’s head. This was a critical moment for her family. Craniosynostosis is a condition where one or more seams between the bones in a child’s skull close too soon. This premature closure prevents the skull from growing properly and results in an abnormal head shape. If left untreated, craniosynostosis can increase intracranial pressure, leading to developmental problems, headaches, […]

Kimberly Shoe, APN is more than an Advanced Practice Nurse; she’s one of our stars in the Endocrinology Department at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. She’s been helping to nurture future generations of providers since 2004 at Nemours Children’s, but her connection to her work runs deeper than her job title. Diagnosed with type one diabetes at 5 years old, her journey has connected her on a personal level with her patients. A kid at heart, Kimberly supports patients facing diabetes or other endocrinopathies. She’s an advocate for the transformative power of community, championing diabetes camps, support groups, and family-centered care. Outside of work, Kimberly has a passion for fitness and exercise with a special emphasis on running in marathons and half-marathons. Grateful for advancements in diabetes technologies, she knows firsthand the role exercise plays in a child’s life and strives to give her patients the best strategies to live their […]

Our precious newborn, Lottie was the cutest bundle of joy we could have ever imagined. At just weeks old, our pediatrician noticed a heart murmur at her routine visit. We had no idea until a visit to the Nemours Children’s Cardiac Center in Delaware that she had any cardiac issues whatsoever. After an echocardiogram, Lottie was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Her diagnosis included TOF with valvar and subvalvar pulmonary stenosis, with large secundum ASD and additional posterior muscular VSD.  After we received Lottie’s diagnosis, we were very anxious, knowing our child could have “TET spells” a condition where she would have had lack of oxygen and blood to her organs, including her brain. Constant monitoring and always watching for any signs, knowing that her condition was inevitably going to worsen. As a nurse, I knew immediately she would need open heart surgery and I felt like my whole world came […]