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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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Darren Michael Klawinski, MD

Nemours Children’s Health is proud to spotlight the diverse passions and remarkable journeys of our esteemed physicians. Among them is Dr. Darren Klawinski, a Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist based at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. Dr. Klawinski’s path to medicine was deeply personal. From a young age, his grandfather’s encouragement planted the seed of becoming a surgeon. However, fate had its own plans when, at 12 years old, Darren was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Enduring surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy shaped his perspective, igniting a passion to provide hope and healing to others facing similar challenges. After completing his pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship with Nemours in Jacksonville, Dr. Klawinski found himself drawn back to the institution. “I loved my time there and loved living in Jacksonville,” he says. Following additional training in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, the opportunity to return to Nemours presented itself, a […]

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: R. Lawrence Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP

Nemours Children’s takes pride in spotlighting the remarkable individuals who go beyond their roles as physicians. R. Lawrence Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP, is president and CEO of Nemours. In addition to leading Nemours and advocating to redefine children’s health, Dr. Moss is an avid outdoorsman who loves the personal challenge of extreme sports. A pediatric surgeon of more than 25 years, Dr. Moss joined Nemours in 2018. On his office wall is a large frame full of thank you cards from families. Photos of four infants at the top of this catch his eye. “Those four babies are kids that I put on ECMO in the very early days of ECMO,” says Dr. Moss. “In each case, the family was told by the referring hospital that their newborn was going to die unless we tried a last-ditch, Hail Mary therapy called ECMO. All of those babies lived. They have all […]

Child Life Month: Laurel’s Associate Highlight

Laurel’s path to a career in Child Life began during her childhood. At just 3 years old, she experienced the passing of her younger brother due to SIDS, setting the foundation for her comprehension of grief. “I think that experience planted an empathy seed within me,” says Laurel. “It’s really special how I am able to use my experiences to support families here at Nemours Children’s. I’m able to understand grief within a family dynamic, including the sibling perspective, and share my insights, along with my training, into its effects on daily life and a family’s ability to cope.” In fifth grade, Laurel encountered child life firsthand during a hospitalization for a urethral reimplantation. From preparation for surgery to post-operative support, she found peace in the playroom activities and therapeutic interventions facilitated by her Certified Child Life Specialists. It was during these years that she discovered the importance of psychosocial […]

Dillan’s Hearing Loss Journey

Dillan’s hearing loss was discovered during a routine hearing scan, revealing that she was deaf in her left ear. While Dillan’s family had noticed some challenges with communicating before seeking treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, they were shocked to learn this news. Her family was very eager to find answers and solutions. Having been involved with the groundbreaking of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida 10 years ago, Dillan’s family was drawn to the comprehensive care provided under one roof. “Nemours provided seamless care. I love being able to communicate with her doctors in real time,” says Dillan’s mom. With the help of Dr. Morgan Wilcox, Dillan now has a hearing aid for her left ear, making an incredible difference in her hearing. “From the first day I met her, Dillan is always smiling and just has this contagious, feel-good attitude that you can’t help but smile and laugh along with […]

Rare Disease Day: Madison’s Story

Madison’s dysplasia journey began even before she came into the world. During pregnancy, concerns arose as she was smaller than expected. However it was only after her birth, when she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, that the first signs of something more complex emerged. X-rays at four months old revealed trident acetabulum and an s-shaped scoliosis, so a skeletal dysplasia genetic testing panel followed, identifying changes in B3GALT6. Variants in this gene are associated with a rare skeletal dysplasia known as spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia joint laxity type 1 (SEMDJL1). This condition can cause issues like progressive scoliosis, joint laxity/dislocations, and more. When they found out about her diagnosis, Madi’s family faced uncertainties about what her future might look like. However, Madi’s fiery spirit has shone through. She charms everyone she meets with her sassy personality and infectious joy. Madison’s mom, Anna, emphasizes that her daughter has never allowed anything to hinder […]

Mila’s Cleft Journey

During Liane Rensing’s 20-week ultrasound, it was discovered that her baby, Mila, had a cleft lip. This diagnosis expanded when Mila was born with a right-sided incomplete unilateral cleft lip and a complete cleft palate. The first year of her life brought challenges to the Rensing family as they learned to navigate caring for Mila. “We learned how to feed and take care of her with feeding devices like special nipples and bottles,” explains Liane. “We had to figure out how to tape specifically designed appliances to Mila’s nose and forehead to prepare her for her cleft surgeries. Miami felt like our second home since we traveled there for Mila’s numerous surgeries and appointments.” In their pursuit of finding the best care for Mila as she grew older, the Rensing family discovered Nemours Children’s Health. Their first experience with Nemours Children’s was with an audiology test and sleep consultations with […]

Jessica’s Journey: Overcoming Lymphoma (Father’s Words)

On December 24, 2022, our world was shattered when we received the heart-wrenching news that our beloved daughter had been diagnosed with stage 2 lymphoma. The holiday season, meant to be joyous, was clouded with the weight of this devastating revelation. Unable to bring ourselves to share the news on Christmas Eve, it was only two days later, post-Christmas, that we found the courage to inform her about the upcoming scans, setting the stage for a challenging but triumphant journey. The initial discussion with her oncologist became the turning point, revealing both the harsh reality of her condition and the hopeful news that it was treatable. Her strength emerged as a beacon of resilience when confronted with this news. She held back tears and faced the daunting question of how much time she might have left in this world. Jessica shares, “I was disappointed and sad by the news. I was […]

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