Liz Balizet of Navarre, Ohio didn’t realize the great pediatric care that’s available in northeast Ohio until her first child was diagnosed with a complex heart condition. Liz’s 20-week ultrasound showed problems with her baby boy’s heart. She and her husband, Jake, received a referral to the Akron Children’s Heart Center. “We went out to […]
Patient Stories
Devika Walia, only surviving sibling of micropreemie triplets, gives back to NICU families
It may seem surprising to some that Devika Walia, the only surviving sibling of triplets, has such strong feelings of gratitude and connection to Akron Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She has taken something sad, the loss of her brother and sister, and has chosen to focus on the positive – that she herself […]
First-time mom benefits from breastfeeding medicine
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
