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 […]
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 […]
Mending hearts across borders: Dr. Karamlou’s first medical mission
Akron Children’s cardiovascular surgeon, Tara Karamlou, MD, MSc, embarked on a life-changing medical mission to Nigeria this past fall. Driven by a calling to bring her expertise to communities with limited access to specialized heart care, Dr. Karamlou and Akron Children’s perfusionist, Lindsey Stuhm, took their talents over 5,600 flight miles away. Dr. Tara Karamlou […]
Teresa Dangerfield looks forward to the new rhythm of retirement
Teresa Dangerfield, arrhythmia device coordinator in cardiology, is stepping into retirement with a legacy that beats strong and a heart full of memories. “Teresa has been a valued member of the Akron Children’s Hospital workforce for over 30 years,” said Dr. Stephen Manu, a pediatric cardiologist at the Akron Children’s Heart Center. “Her dedication and […]
Twin boys are thriving 1 year after their emergency birth
When Alison Speelman learned she was pregnant in the fall 2023, it was a total surprise. But a bigger surprise was yet to come. “I had my first ultrasound at 7 weeks, and that’s when we found out we were having twins,” she said. “My husband, Josh, and I didn’t speak on the ride home […]
