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Born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, Dylan’s journey has been marked by numerous surgeries and dedicated medical care. But it’s also a story of staying positive and forming lasting connections. A cleft of the lip or palate happens when a baby is born with an opening in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth (the palate). A cleft happens when parts of the lip and/or palate do not fuse together completely. For Dylan, this diagnosis has always been a part of his life. “I can’t really remember much from before then,” he reflects. “I always had the cleft lip and palate, and as a child, I thought it was normal. Every kid went through it.” When Dylan was around 5 years old, his family moved from California to Delaware. This relocation marked the beginning of his long-term relationship with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “My mother had to […]

As someone who grew up in Delaware, even before I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Nemours Children’s Health has always held a special place for me. During my medical school rotations, I found a mentor in Dr. Daniel Doyle, who showed me the profound impact of pediatric endocrinology. After completing my fellowship training in Philadelphia, I reached out. I was excited to learn that there was an opening for a pediatric endocrinologist at Nemours. It was the moment I had envisioned for so long finally coming to life! Beyond patient care, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in other activities, such as clinical research. This enables me to consider and investigate the issues my patients encounter, develop targeted interventions to assist them, and conduct trials to gain a deeper understanding of their disease processes, ultimately aiming to enhance their care in the future. I am so fortunate […]

18-year-old Chloe is preparing for her next chapter while continuing to manage a rare skeletal dysplasia with the support of her care team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Her medical journey began early, and has been shaped by expert care, community, and a team that understands her unique needs. During her mother, Cynthia’s, pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed that Chloe would be born with a form of dwarfism. These early signs prompted close monitoring and additional testing after birth. It wasn’t until she was about 1.5 years old that Chloe underwent genetic testing, confirming a spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) diagnosis. SEDs are disorders that involve both the spine and the ends of long bones. Patients with SED often experience musculoskeletal problems with the neck, spine, lower limbs, feet, and joints. As her family navigated the early stages of her diagnosis, they connected with Little People of America (LPA). While attending an LPA regional […]

Mathew’s mother, Megan, was 28 weeks pregnant when she learned her baby had Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a rare, congenital condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that change the way blood flows through the heart and to the lungs, resulting in less oxygen-rich blood being carried to the body. Mathew would need surgery soon after birth and Megan’s OBGYN referred her to Dr. Mehta at Nemours Children’s Health, Pensacola. “As a first-time mom, I was terrified and spent countless hours Googling all the worst-case scenarios,” recalls Megan. “But Dr. Mehta reassured me with a simple, ‘I got you.’” Sure enough, Mathew came home on Thanksgiving Day, four days after he was born. Mathew’s Surgery Three weeks later, Mathew’s oxygen saturation dropped into the 30s — he needed open-heart surgery and Megan requested a transfer to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. “The patient and family care at Nemours Children’s […]

In February, our daughter Annistyn broke her humerus when she fell off a snowmobile in New York. After a visit to a local urgent care and an X-ray, we were referred to Nemours Children’s Health, Lakeland—and from that moment on, everything was handled with such care and compassion. From the very first phone call, Nemours made us feel supported. They confirmed directions, sent all documents ahead of time, and ensured our arrival and appointment were seamless and right on schedule. We were met by smiles and kind staff from the very first interaction to the last. Every person we encountered treated Annistyn like she was their own—with warmth, patience, and expertise. Under the care of Kevin Osborne, PA-C, Annistyn was put in a sling for immobilization. One thing that truly stood out to me as a parent was how they spoke directly to Annistyn about her care. They didn’t just […]

When doctors delivered the diagnosis of a cleft lip, Jackson’s parents found themselves at the start of a journey they hadn’t anticipated. During Christina’s 20-week anatomy scan, they learned about the condition and immediately began exploring care options to ensure Jackson’s well-being. During this process, Christina’s previous professional background at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware played a significant role in their decision-making. For 10 years, she had dedicated herself to the care and support of families at Nemours Children’s, including three years working in the surgery clinics as a Surgical Medical Assistant and had the privilege of collaborating with the cleft team. Her firsthand experience with the hospital’s expertise and compassionate care gave her a unique perspective. At Nemours, Jackson’s family discovered not just a hospital but a community of care and support. Dr. Mario Aycart, the surgeon responsible for Jackson’s cleft lip repair, was clear and reassuring in his communication. […]