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Nemours Children’s Health, Florida

For Sofia’s family, a routine pregnancy check-up took a surprising turn when an ultrasound revealed that Sofia would be born with a condition known as clubfoot. “As an infant, her feet were going inward and it was heartbreaking to see,” Sofia’s mom shares. Determined to give her daughter the best possible care, Sofia’s mom turned to the internet, where she discovered Dr. John Lovejoy and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. The diagnosis of clubfoot had been unexpected, but the prospect of expert care and a promising treatment plan offered a glimmer of light. It was at Nemours Children’s Hospital Florida that they met Dr. Lovejoy, Chair of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Dr. Lovejoy recommended Sofia be started with casting using the Ponseti method. This treatment involved a series of castings, which were crucial for maintaining the corrected position of her foot. The process required regular weekly visits to Nemours as a […]

Just a day after his birth, Nakoa’s family received the unexpected news that he had failed his newborn hearing screening. This was only the beginning of a challenging yet transformative journey. Two weeks later, the family returned to their local hospital for a second screening. The results were the same: Nakoa failed. The hospital referred them to another pediatric hospital for more comprehensive testing. Nakoa failed every test, and the diagnosis of profound deafness was becoming increasingly clear. The family was devastated but determined to seek a second opinion. So, they were referred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, a renowned pediatric healthcare facility, for the following week. Still, Nakoa failed every test, and the diagnosis was confirmed. For his mother, the diagnosis of profound deafness held a heavy impact. “I mourned the thought of him being deaf and having to endure being different,” she shares. The fear of Nakoa facing […]

In the summer of 2024, a small bump on 12-year-old Eduardo’s neck caught the attention of his family. They decided to visit Nemours Children’s, a healthcare institution that had been a trusted part of their family for over a decade. “My kids have been a part of the Nemours family since they were born, and we’re very thankful for all the professionals who have cared for them,” his mother, Vanessa says. Upon their visit, the medical team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida conducted a thorough examination, including an ultrasound, a CT scan, and a biopsy. Eduardo was diagnosed with a benign tumor in his parotid gland. While the term “benign” offered some relief, the diagnosis itself was a significant concern to the family. “We were very worried and spent a lot of time doing research online, which only scared us more than it relaxed us,” Vanessa admits. Despite the anxiety, […]

What began as an upset stomach evolved into a journey with Crohn’s Disease for Nemours Children’s patient, Alejandra. “It all started with an upset stomach that continued over time, immediately after eating, at the age of 8,” shares Alejandra. The persistent discomfort became a daily challenge that began to affect her quality of life. “Physical activities also had to be reduced, including physical education (PE), as performance declined considerably. Psychological aspects also erupted, with certain levels of anxiety.” From the moment they walked through the doors of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Alejandra and her family found themselves in capable hands, guided by a team of dedicated specialists. After the family’s recent move from Miami, they were diligent in their search for the best possible care for Alejandra. Their research led them to Dr. Pablo Palomo and the gastroenterology team at Nemours. The journey to a diagnosis was not straightforward. It […]

Alex, a strong, brave, and smart patient with a passion for swimming, soccer, surfing, and music, has been on a long and challenging journey to find a solution for his sleep apnea. Living with Down syndrome, Alex’s struggle with sleep has been particularly difficult, often leaving him tired and unable to function well at school. Despite trying various treatments, including a surgery in October, Alex and his family were still searching for a breakthrough. That’s when Dr. Santino Cervantes, pediatric otolaryngologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, recommended the Inspire implant—a groundbreaking treatment to help Down syndrome children with refractory severe sleep apnea. Alex, almost 14, became the first patient at the hospital to receive this innovative implant. The Inspire implant is a device designed to assist with sleep apnea. When activated, the implant enhances the user’s breathing during sleep by giving gentle pulses to the airway muscles to keep the […]

When Michelle learned she was pregnant, she was referred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida for high-risk prenatal care. From the very beginning, she felt supported by her care team. So, when her daughter, Lucy, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 6 weeks old, there was no hesitation about where to turn. Because Lucy was breech throughout the entire pregnancy, her pediatrician took extra precautions after birth to check for hip dysplasia. “Her pediatrician wanted to check if she could possibly have hip dysplasia, and thank god she did because we were able to treat her on time,” shares Michelle. “We were so grateful it was diagnosed so early where we as parents did not notice, and she did not feel affected by it as a newborn.” The family’s relationship with Nemours Children’s came full circle when they decided to bring Lucy in for treatment. “The treatment for myself was so […]