When Lindsey Costain was pregnant with her daughter McKenzie in 2016, everything seemed normal –until a failed stress test at 7½ months led to a referral to Akron Children’s Maternal Fetal Medicine department at Aultman Hospital. “I was scared because they thought the baby only had one kidney,” said Lindsey. Though unsettling, doctors reassured […]
Mckenzi’s road from micropreemie to first birthday
When Ginny Hardwick went into labor at 22 weeks, she was terrified for her daughter, Mckenzi, and what her future may hold. Through patience, persistence and a wonderful team of labor and delivery doctors and nurses at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital’s Birthing Center, Ginny’s labor was held off for 2 weeks. Mckenzi […]
Siblings with rare genetic disorder exceed expectations
Paul and Becky Lee’s son, Jack, entered the world 8 weeks early. It wasn’t apparent until the next day that something was wrong, other than his prematurity. Jack didn’t move, and doctors suspected a neurological condition. Jack spent 10 weeks in the Akron Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and then another 15 weeks in […]
James Palmer plans a retirement full of weekend family time and fun
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. […]
Akron Children’s Breastfeeding Medicine helps mom breastfeed after traumatic birth
When Bailey Aikens-Caceres entered the world, her moms weren’t ready. They didn’t have her nursery decorated. The car seat wasn’t installed, and they certainly weren’t expecting a hospital stay. Born at 31 weeks due to a placental abruption, Bailey is currently in the Akron Children’s NICU getting stronger by the day. Though Bailey’s birth mom […]
Sherry Mook, one of Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley “original” nurses, retires
Early on, Sherry Mook, staff nurse in the Pre-operative/Post-anesthesia Care Unit at Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley, knew she wanted to be a nurse. The oldest of six children, she liked taking care of others. When she told her mother her career plans, her mom encouraged Sherry to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing, not a […]
