Christine Woodburn remembers her first view of an Akron Children’s Charity Ball at Goodyear Hall. She was too young to attend the dinner and dance, in which her cousins were being presented as debutantes. But those long, twinkling lights dangling from the ceiling left a lasting impression. “That’s my visual,” she recalled. “We were too […]
Patient Stories
Beth Cardina: A heart for helping others
Beth Cardina, licensed social worker, received the “Trailblazer” award at the Oct. 1 Akron Children’s More childhood, please.™ Awards event. Not only has Beth’s heart for helping people guided her through a 40-year career in child welfare – but it’s helping her honor her son’s memory. Beth’s beginnings When she was in elementary school, an […]
Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) transforms testing for gastroenterology patients
Jackson Mead of North Canton, age 16, is on his high school robotics team and loves to figure out how things work. When he became the first Akron Children’s patient to undergo the TNE procedure, which doesn’t require anesthesia like a traditional “upper endoscopy,” he excitedly asked a lot of questions. Stomach issues start Jackson […]
Woman shares how childhood cancer led to career helping kids
If you saw 25-year-old Molly Norris today, you’d never guess she’s been fighting serious health challenges since she was a toddler. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at age 2, a biologic medication finally gave her relief. But in 2010, when she was in 5th grade, her health again took a turn for the worse. […]
Jack faces football injuries with optimism and determination
Jack Litton is the student body president and a 4-year starter on the Howland High School football team. Although his team hasn’t enjoyed many victories, he has overcome injury and learned skills that will last a lifetime. Jack grew up around football. His dad, Chris, was a high school athletic administrator and coach. “I always […]
Orthopedic care inspires Andrea’s career path
Andrea Garrett started as an Akron Children’s orthopedics patient, born with clubfeet and knock knees. She’s now an employee who credits Dr. Mark Adamczyk, pediatric orthopedic surgeon and Clubfoot Clinic director, with inspiring her to pursue a health care career. Andrea’s orthopedic care At 2 months old, she had her first appointment with Dr. Adamczyk. […]
