Nemours Children’s Hospital Archives - Page 9 of 13 - Nemours Blog

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Nemours Children’s Hospital

OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Nicole Aaronson, MD, MBA

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 […]

FEATURED POST

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 […]

PATIENT STORIES

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Eloise’s Story

Eloise, a dynamic and determined young girl, received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy just before her second birthday.  After Eloise celebrated her first birthday, her parents assumed she would start walking soon, but as each month passed by, despite their initial hopes and patience, Eloise had still not taken her first steps.  Her parents recall the pivotal moment when, at 18 months, Eloise was referred by her primary care physician for evaluations and specialized care. Their journey led them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware where Eloise underwent a series of comprehensive evaluations, including MRI, EKG, and X-rays. While the test results appeared normal, Eloise was diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy due to her muscle spasticity and gait difficulties.  Eloise’s family learned to their surprise that in a majority of cases, the specific cause of cerebral palsy is unknown.  Eloise took her first steps shortly before her 2nd birthday, albeit […]

UNCATEGORIZED

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Annika’s Story

Annika’s path to a cerebral palsy diagnosis began at a young age. Born prematurely at 29 weeks and five days, Annika’s mother, Jessica, noticed subtle differences in her development around six months. When Annika’s twin began reaching certain milestones, such as rolling over, ahead of her, Annika’s family became concerned. “That was my first clue that something was not exactly typical,” says Jessica. “I mentioned it to her local pediatrician; however, Annika did a lot of other things typical and well, so she didn’t seem worried. I just knew deep down that something was off, and asked if, based on her prematurity, she could qualify for early childhood physical therapy. Annika began her first physical therapy when she was 7 months old.” Jessica’s persistence led Annika to early intervention therapies, and when Annika was 11 months old, she asked that the pediatrician refer her to a local pediatric neurologist. Despite […]

CHILD LIFE

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 […]

PATIENT STORIES

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 […]

PATIENT STORIES

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 […]

PATIENT STORIES

Beyond a Heart Transplant: Valerie’s Cardiomyopathy Story

When Valerie was 5 years old, Brant and I noticed her energy and endurance greatly decreasing. She was unable to run for more than a minute or even go on a quarter mile walk without needing breaks and getting winded. Her endurance seemed to take a sharp turn for the worse in the summer later that year. She developed abdominal bloating. Her ability to play outside with her brothers or neighborhood friends was becoming increasingly difficult. She also would become overheated easily; she couldn’t be outside in the summer heat for long at all before needing to go back inside to the AC. Her appetite also started to dwindle. All her symptoms reached a level of concern to the point where we needed to investigate a solution with the help of medical professionals. After lab work with the pediatrician to rule out things like diabetes, celiac, and Crohn’s, they performed […]

PATIENT STORIES

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 […]

PATIENT STORIES

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 […]

PATIENT STORIES

What a Difference: Brandiel’s Story

Nemours Children’s Health came into Brandiel’s life when he was having difficulty hearing. Recommended by his school, the hospital has played a pivotal role in their journey. Yaleitza, his mother, remembers the initial challenges they faced with Brandiel growing up. “It was hard,” she says, “He couldn’t hear. We would have to repeat ourselves multiple times. It was just so hard for him.” “I remember when I first found out about his hearing loss diagnosis, it was very difficult for us,” says Yaleitza. Brandiel was diagnosed as deaf in one of his ears. “But Dr. Pritchett made me feel so comfortable with everything.” After some time working with Dr. Pritchett and the team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Brandiel was approved for a cochlear implant. Yaleitza, though a bit nervous at first, was excited for this opportunity. Brandiel underwent a cochlear implant procedure when he was 9 years old. Yaleitza […]

Page 9 of 13

Page 9 of 13

Page 9 of 13