To look at David Campbell of Brimfield, Ohio, you’d see a 6-month-old with expressive eyes and a big smile. You’d never know he needed multiple heart interventions – the first within hours of being born – to save his life. More than a decade ago, Akron Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s joined forces to provide specialized […]
Patient Stories
Shared decisions ensure Lexi’s bright future after heart surgery
Lexi Kormanec is a 15-year-old sophomore at Nordonia High School. She loves roller coasters, singing and talking with her friends. To see her, you wouldn’t know she had a heart defect that required major surgery when she was 13 years old. Early detection of a heart issue Recommendations from family members led Lexi’s parents, Elizabeth […]
Zy’Aire rebounds from surgery to repair a rare heart defect
Zy’Aire Taylor of Orrville loves sports, whether he’s throwing a football with his younger brother or playing on his school’s basketball team. After episodes of chest pains and passing out while playing basketball at his after-school program in early 2022, he wondered if he’d ever be able to play sports again. Thanks to the Akron […]
Mackenzie Roach inspires others, making a positive impact after a life-changing diagnosis
The day after her eighth birthday, Mackenzie Roach was diagnosed with a brain tumor. A week later, she underwent surgery to remove it. After the surgery, she began the long journey to relearn basic skills such as walking and talking. While doing so, she continued to positively impact her community, choosing to use her experiences […]
A new normal: Malone procedure gives 9-year-old better quality of life
When McKenzie Costain’s family first shared her story in June 2025, they were in the thick of managing daily symptoms from a chronic bowel condition. This included daily rectal enemas to cope with chronic constipation. Today, life looks very different. In July 2025, McKenzie, age 9, underwent a surgical option called the Malone procedure. […]
Shockwave therapy offers new hope for patients with chronic pain and sports injuries
For patients sidelined by stubborn tendon or muscle pain, Akron Children’s now offers a promising new path to relief. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), commonly known as shockwave therapy, is now available through Dr. Derrick Eddy, director of Sports Medicine. “ESWT is a noninvasive treatment that uses sound waves to help the body heal itself,” explained […]
