As Hannah Varela eagerly awaited the birth of her first child – a daughter named Sofia – she didn’t think too much about breastfeeding. When feeding her baby didn’t go as Hannah hoped, she got help from Akron Children’s Breastfeeding Medicine. Latching and oversupply issues lead Hannah to seek help Sofia had trouble latching onto […]
Archives for July 2025
Patient experience spotlight: Dr. Michael Moritz
Every month, Akron Children’s recognizes an employee for providing an exceptional patient experience. June’s honoree is Dr. Michael Moritz, division chief of Akron Children’s Pediatric Nephrology and vice chair of research for the Department of Pediatrics. He recently received this feedback from a grateful family: “Dr Michael Moritz is an incredible doctor. My son […]
Ashland baby is Akron Children’s first NICU 22-week preemie to survive in 14 years
Megan Wolbert works at Wooster Community Hospital as a sonographer. When she started having contractions in March at 22 weeks of her pregnancy, she was glad to be at work surrounded by medical caregivers and resources. When an initial exam showed she was already in active labor, she knew enough to assume she and her […]
A familiar face says farewell: John Carter retires after 26 years
John Carter has been a beloved employee of Akron Children’s since 1999. On Aug. 1 he retires after 26 years. When John first came to Akron Children’s he worked in food services and then transitioned to the linen department and eventually security. “Before visitor monitors transitioned to the volunteer and visitor services team, we worked […]
Gabrielle’s growing, learning and thriving after care for gastroschisis
Before she was born, Gabrielle Richardson of Cuyahoga Falls became an Akron Children’s patient. Thanks to an array of Akron Children’s specialists, a strong support system and lots of prayer, she has exceeded all expectations. A look back In-utero testing showed Gabrielle had gastroschisis. This birth defect occurs when the abdominal wall doesn’t form completely, […]
Julian’s journey from cleft diagnosis to a confident smile
Pregnant with her first child in 2018, Lindsay George was looking forward to her 20-week ultrasound. But amid the excitement came unexpected news: Her unborn baby had a cleft lip and palate. Unfamiliar with the condition, Lindsay wasted no time learning everything she could. “I wanted to be prepared, so I did a lot of […]
