Twenty twenty-three turned out to be a year of unimaginable challenges for 39-year-old Laura Montoya. In March, her husband, Monty, a former Marine, stepped on a landmine while volunteering in Ukraine, losing a foot. As she navigated the aftermath of Monty’s traumatic injury, which required multiple trips to hospitals overseas and a move from Las […]
Scott Arkwright, CNP, enjoys supporting the cardiac surgery team and helping pediatric patients
After spending 25 years collaborating with the Heart Center while working for a different hospital system in Ohio, Scott Arkwright was drawn to the environment of working with pediatric patients. “It was emotional to leave an organization that was a big part of my life. I am grateful for the opportunities, colleagues and friendships developed […]
Welcome Dr. Tim Watson, cardiologist, to Akron Children’s
Dr. Tim Watson is no stranger to Northeast Ohio. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed his specialty pediatrics residency at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. After spending time in Atlanta, GA, Dr. Watson is excited to be a part of the team of cardiologists at Akron Children’s […]
Deena Barber has a “heart” for nursing
Deena Barber, nurse program coordinator for the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) program, has seen a lot of change in her 36 years as a nurse at Akron Children’s. But one thing that hasn’t changed in all that time is how she treats her patients. “My most important responsibility is to alleviate fear,” she said. […]
Fran Feesler named Magnet Nurse of the Year
Although she was recently named Akron Children’s Magnet Nurse of the Year for exemplifying excellence in professional practice, Fran Feesler, MSN, APRN, FNP, an advanced practice provider (APP) in the Heart Center, didn’t initially plan to become a nurse. “I have a degree in elementary education, but in the early ‘90s teaching jobs were scarce,” […]
Helping hearts in Haiti for 10 years
For 10 years, Akron Children’s has been supporting Haitian pediatric heart patients through a partnership with St. Damien Pediatric Hospital, and the milestones achieved along the way are nothing short of life-changing. How it all started After a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake ripped through Haiti in 2010, Akron Children’s staff visited the island country to care […]
