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 […]
Finding ‘encouragement through weariness’ of cleft lip & palate repair with NAM
Dr. Niyant Patel walked into the pre-surgical room 10 minutes early in his charcoal colored scrubs, relaxed and with a smile on his face. “How ya feeling this morning, doc?” my husband asked him. “I’m feeling great. I slept good last night. I’m here early…you ready to get started?” It was 7 a.m. and we […]
After skull reconstruction, Fitz’ brain has room to grow
Matt and Mallory Beres keep a large black-and-white photo taken shortly after their 9-month-old son, Fitz, emerged from surgery in December. In the photo, Mallory is hunched over a hospital crib cocooning Fitz, who had been under anesthesia for 8 hours as surgeons reconstructed the front of his skull. Mallory wanted to make sure Fitz […]
Book, movie ‘Wonder’ offer powerful messages about acceptance, kindness
It can be tough to be different, especially during the middle school years. So think of the trials and tribulations a child with a facial deformity faces during adolescence. The award-wining book “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio explores this issue from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy with a severe craniofacial disorder as well as […]
Mahoning Valley teen returns to the playing field after life-threatening accident
“The last thing I told Colin was don’t forget your helmet,” said Molly Burdette, Colin’s mom. Little did she know that helmet would save Colin’s life later that day. Colin, an avid ATV rider, took to the trails near his house with a couple groups of friends. As Colin rounded a turn so did […]
New Non-Surgical Treatment Is Music To Parents’ Ears
Reed Ramsey doesn’t realize it now, but her parents – and Akron Children’s pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeon Niyant Patel – saved her from potential teasing by peers and a future surgery by correcting the 2-week-old’s ear deformity while she was so young. During her first pediatrician visit, Dr. Laurie Penix, of Akron Children’s Hospital […]
