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Surgery

From a young age, Axel’s family had noticed the unusual appearance of his chest. They took him to see a few different providers, but they were told that his chest was not responsible for his symptoms, and it was only a cosmetic defect. It wasn’t until Axel needed a checkup and couldn’t get into his regular pediatrician that his mom searched for another pediatrician. At that appointment, Axel asked his mom once again to mention his chest, and although hesitant due to their past experiences, she brought it up. This pediatrician immediately noticed that something was wrong and referred them to Dr. Kellianne Kleeman, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Dr. Kleeman mapped out a detailed care plan that included a minimally invasive surgery to repair his pectus excavatum. Axel says, “When Dr. Kleeman showed us the picture in clinic—that was the first time I saw my […]

At 13 years old, Maddie Walsh was diagnosed with melanoma. This unexpected turn led her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, where she found a supportive community that became like family. Maddie’s journey began with the discovery of a change in a mole she had since childhood. A dermatologist family member recognized the signs and urged her to seek medical attention. Following a biopsy and consultations with various pathologists, Maddie received the diagnosis of malignant melanoma from Chief of the Division of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Dr. Brian Kellogg. “I was 13 when I first heard I was going to see a plastic surgeon. I was very confused because I only knew them by the stereotypes on TV,” says Maddie. “However, I quickly learned that was far from what Dr. Kellogg and his team does. When I first heard the word ‘cancer,’ my mind jumped to the worst. I was terrified. […]

Growing up in rural Jamaica, Dr. Judith A. Jones was inspired by the idea of helping others. In a community where the only female healthcare professionals she saw were nurses, her older brother’s encouragement sparked the realization that she, too, could become a doctor. “It reinforces for me to this day how a casual comment can change the trajectory of a child’s life, making things possible that were not previously dreamt of,” says Dr. Jones. “My big brother told me I could be a doctor, and so I did, because it was the way in which I believed I could help people. As a young girl, I had an overwhelming sense that I should help people when I grew up. My parents were incredibly hard-working and were professionals despite coming from humble beginnings. Their example and encouragement also led me to pursue medicine as my life’s work.” Her career led […]

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 […]

Everlee’s story begins with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, at the age of 17 months. Her mother, Jenna, recalls the moment when she first noticed something amiss with her daughter’s health. “It was right around Christmas of 2022,” says Jenna. As first-time parents, Jenna and Jarod couldn’t shake the feeling that Everlee’s belly seemed larger than normal. Despite reassurances from pediatricians, inklings of concern persisted, especially when family members echoed their observations. “Something just seemed off,” says Jenna. “I was giving her a bath one day, and I laid her out on the towel and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, she just looks so bloated.’” Alarmed, Jenna wasted no time in seeking medical attention. She was able to get Everlee in to see her local pediatrician at their last appointment for the day on Friday, January 13th. The routine examination led to the discovery of a […]

Meet Dr. Nicole Aaronson, Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Since she was a little girl, Dr. Aaronson held a passion for problem-solving, science, and aiding others. Because of this, she set her sights on a career in medicine early on. It was during her medical school years that she decided she wanted to be a surgeon, fueled by a desire to fix problems with her hands. This drive led her to pursue a fellowship, ultimately guiding her to Nemours Children’s, where she found a home among like-minded individuals dedicated to providing care to every child who walks through the doors. “What I love about Nemours is that everyone is here trying to do the right thing for our patients and families,” says Dr. Aaronson. “Otolaryngology is a very busy division with a lot of clinic visits, OR cases, and inpatient consults. This could feel overwhelming, but our team […]