In global health, incredibly difficult situations can arise where we’re unable to cure children because we don’t have the equipment or resources needed. Adding to this frustration is the reality that if these children were lucky enough to live in the U.S. or other developed countries, they would have access to appropriate care. In the […]
No one expects their child to start out with a broken heart
My daughter, Meredith Grace, was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot when she was 4 days old. Dr. Bockoven told us that we were now a part of the Akron Children’s Family. I remember telling him I’m sure that was wonderful, but it was also the last thing I wanted to hear.
Courageous kindergartner battles back from multiple open heart surgeries
Starting school was the furthest thing from Anita Brainard’s mind as she reflected on her son Rian’s life to this point – 4 open heart surgeries, multiple setbacks and recoveries, visions of him with oxygen tubes and other breathing treatment devices, and countless hospital visits all before his fifth birthday.
A mission with heart: Day 1 in Haiti
Many of Akron Children’s doctors, nurses and staff travel regularly to Haiti to help care for the sick children at St. Damien Pediatric Hospital. This post is the first installment of a 3-part series by Dr. Grace Smith, who gives a first-person account of her most recent medical mission trip there.
Meet Andrew: Making the transition from pediatric to adult congenital heart care
When Andrew Testa was born in June 1995, his parents, Joe and Lisa, of Green, thought they had a healthy baby boy on their hands. Little did they know their world was about to change. A routine checkup at 4 months old revealed Andrew had a heart murmur, which earned him a referral to Akron Children’s cardiology department.
Tears of joy after seeing our son pink for the first time after open heart surgery
One year ago around 8 a.m. we handed our son Jonathan at 10 months old, over to his heart surgeon for his second open heart surgery. When the surgeon came to talk to us about the surgery, they told us our son was pink. Tears came falling down, tears of relief.
