Jill Smith, lead APP (advanced practice provider) in the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH), first met Belle Bateman when she was just 3 years old and 6 weeks post-treatment for a rare brain tumor. At the time of their meeting, Belle had undergone extensive surgeries as well as chemotherapy and radiation. “I got to know Belle and […]
Pride Month: Bryan Sallee
Recognized annually in June, Pride Month is a joyful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and their sweeping contributions on history worldwide, particularly in the fight for equality. At Akron Children’s, we support and encourage all employees, patients and their families to be their authentic selves. To celebrate, we asked several Akron Children’s employees to share […]
CNP Nicole Lehrer finds inspiration in girl power!
What’s one thing most people don’t know about CNP Nicole Lehrer? She has been collecting Barbies since 1999 and has amassed a large assortment, all in original boxes. She has always loved the beauty of Barbie and her “gorgeous outfits.” But most of all, Barbie’s example of “girl power” and an accomplished, can-do attitude resonates […]
Living with MS, Kaitlin Lanham finds joy in helping patients with chronic conditions
Kaitlin Lanham knows what it’s like to receive a difficult diagnosis. In 2021, while working as a certified personal trainer at Orangetheory Fitness, she started to experience an array of symptoms that ranged from vision loss to difficulty walking to nerve pain. “I had seen my primary care doctor, but my symptoms kept evolving and […]
No child is a stranger to CNP Renae Snyder, but instead a friend she never met
What stands out most about CNP Renae Snyder? An energetic, outgoing and inviting personality. Just ask her family and friends, they’ll tell you she has never met a stranger in her life. It’s this personality trait that better helps Renae connect with patients on a personal level, build trust and ultimately, offer individualized care and […]
Patient Experience Spotlight: Dr. Erin Spies
Every day at Akron Children’s, we strive to deliver compassionate care and create positive experiences for our patients and families. This month, we’re spotlighting Erin Spies, DO, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Boston Heights, who recently received the following feedback from a patient family: “Dr. (Erin) Spies was amazing with my daughter, [who] has […]