James Palmer, technician II in Akron Children’s Environmental Services, was just 13 when he started working at his first job. Employed through a youth program, James did yard work for senior citizens. That job helped him develop a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, as well as a passion for maintaining a well-groomed yard. […]
More Than a Job: Rachel Hardy has personal connection to patients in her role as craniofacial nurse
By the time she was 18 years old, Rachel Hardy had endured more than 17 surgeries to repair her congenital cleft lip and palate. After being adopted from South Korea, Rachel had her first surgery on her lip at 6 months of age at Akron Children’s. “Many of my surgeries happened when I was young,” […]
After facial fracture surgery, Amherst athlete makes a speedy return to baseball
Jonathan Williams, age 16, was one of two sophomores who made his high school varsity baseball team last year. When his coach called a last-minute Sunday afternoon practice, Jonathan, now a junior at Marion L. Steele High School, drove to the field. Jonathan, who plays second base, had a good practice until an infield grounder […]
Lorain toddler is healthy and thriving after craniosynostosis surgery
Paige Stefancin, a first-time mom, only saw perfection when she looked at her newborn son. It wasn’t until her son, Jace Daniels, went to his first newborn wellness visit that Paige learned something was wrong. “I took Jace to see Rashmi Shekhawat, MD, who was a pediatrician where I worked at Mercy Health – Lorain […]
Dr. Ananth Murthy, patient Elijah Bell talk advancements in ear reconstruction
Elijah Bell was born without outer ears, but thanks to Dr. Ananth Murthy, director of pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery and medical director for the Craniofacial Center and Speech Resonance Clinic at Akron Children’s, Elijah has ears crafted from his own rib cage cartilage. Now, 4 years later, Dr. Murthy and his team at The Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute […]
Book, movie ‘Wonder’ offer powerful messages about acceptance, kindness
It can be tough to be different, especially during the middle school years. So think of the trials and tribulations a child with a facial deformity faces during adolescence. The award-wining book “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio explores this issue from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy with a severe craniofacial disorder as well as […]
