Paige Schantz’s life was picture perfect – married to her childhood sweetheart and mother of 2 healthy boys with a loving home – until one day her world turned upside down. “Everyone came downstairs preparing to head off to school like we always did and found my husband had committed suicide … just like that […]
At Akron Children’s, we believe in the power of personal stories to provide support and inspiration. We encourage you to share how we’ve touched you and your family, and by doing so, allow our online community to learn from your experiences.
Hospital establishes certified ostomy care program
When Shelly Begue joined the pediatric surgical team as a surgical nurse clinician in 2010 she began to develop an interest in a very specialized patient population – the hospital’s young ostomy patients. “Ostomies are created for a multitude of reasons,” Shelly said. “Some children are born with defects of the intestine or have congenital […]
Hospital cooks up VIP culinary experience for 12-year-old Tourette’s patient
Mahoning Valley businessman Tom Zidian has interacted with his share of notable people throughout his career. But just as memorable to him as his visits with President Barack Obama, NFL’s Dan Marino and celebrity chef Guy Fieri will be the afternoon he spent with Ty Smith, 12, of East Palestine. Ty is an Akron Children’s Hospital […]
Family centered care enhances partnerships, builds trust
Akron Children’s Hospital doesn’t just promise to treat each child as if its own, it’s the foundation as to how our hospital leaders, providers and staff interact and care for each and every patient. Akron Children’s incorporates family centered care, bringing together patients, families and providers to form a working partnership in the planning, delivery […]
Scotland Zinser has come a long way with rare heart condition
At 17 months old, Scotland Zinser learned to sit himself up. In a few weeks he was crawling. Then standing. “He started walking today,” his mother, Jillian Campbell, said one recent afternoon at their home near Portage Lakes, while her boy with vibrant red hair happily pushed on a stand-up walker toy. “I’m proud of […]
Hunter graduates from craniosynostosis treatment after 275 days in helmets
Hunter Metzgar sits proudly next to the 3 helmets he wore over the past 9 months. At 1 year adjusted (age of a premature baby based on their due date, not birthdate), Hunter has officially finished treatment for craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of bones in the skull. Hunter is no stranger to overcoming obstacles and […]
