1. On World Prematurity Day, we got an update on the Merton quintuplets from their mom, Hannah.
The quintuplets were born March 5. Although Meredith passed shortly after birth, Hannah says her siblings – Gideon, Elliot, Philomena (Mena), and Evangeline (Evie) – are doing great after some early challenges.
Each and every Akron Children’s employee has gone above and beyond this year as we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic.
This award recognizes a medical professional who has made outstanding contributions in the field of epilepsy.
4. Although Nehemiah was born with a brain bleed and a hole in his heart – and faced seizures and a cerebral palsy diagnosis during his stay in our NICU, his mom, Leslie, says this resilient 13-year-old now has his sights set on high school and college.
From day 1, Nehemiah battled his health but he has pushed through surgery, casting, and physical therapy. He continues this hard work in the classroom and therapy.
5. We celebrated Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week, recognizing the contributions of each APRN discipline and PA group, including our CRNAs, CNSs, CNPs, and PAs.
Since 2011, the number of APPs at Akron Children’s Hospital has grown from about 100 to more than 400.
6. We celebrated Family Centered Care Week, honoring the role parents play on their child’s health care team.
We literally wore this message “on our sleeves” with special Family Centered Care t-shirts designed for the occasion.
7. On Giving Tuesday, we invited everyone to join us in honoring our Healthcare Heroes by finding a way to give back to Akron Children’s Hospital.
8. Born without ears, known as bilateral atresia microtia, Elijah began wearing bone-anchored hearing aids at 3 1/2 months. Now 8 years old, Elijah has gone on to talking and listening like anyone else his age.
Since saying his first word, “flower,” as a one year old, hearing aids now make it possible for him to listen or speak however he needs to.
9. Since starting classic ballet training at age 4, Annabelle Mighton was no stranger to aches and pains, but by the age of 14, she had dislocated her knee several times, and was diagnosed with a condition called patellar instability and loose jointedness.
After a successful surgery at the Akron Children’s Beeghly campus in March, Annabelle regained full mobility in her left knee, and recently began rehearsals for the Ballet Theatre of Ohio’s upcoming “Sleepy Beauty” production.
10. Although Adeline was 6 months overdue for a wellness visit, the appointment came just in time, with her doctor discovering she had Type 1 diabetes before any major health concerns appeared.
We turned the lights blue at our main campus in Akron to recognize Adeline and other diabetes warriors like her during Diabetes Awareness Month.
