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, […]
Courtney bounces back after 9 orthopedic surgeries
What do you do when you’re an active kid, and your joints keep hurting? You seek help from an expert. That’s just what Courtney Carpenter of Girard, Ohio and her family did. “I was a gymnast for many years, until the pain got so bad that I was forced to quit,” she said. “In high […]
Addison makes it back to the pitcher’s mound
Addison Lahmers from West Lafayette, Ohio is a busy teenager. She’s plays volleyball, throws the discus and is an elite softball pitcher with more than 200 career strikeouts in a season and a half. She participates in school clubs and committees, 4-H and Coshocton County Youth Leadership. But among her biggest achievements to date is […]
Hands-on workshop promotes women in orthopedic surgery
Akron Children’s is unique in that three of its 11 orthopedic surgeons are women, well above the national average of just 7%. Orthopedic Surgeon Julie Samora, MD, PhD, chairs the Akron Children’s Orthopedics department, which is also rare. The trio of female orthopedic surgeons – Drs. Samora, Lorena Floccari and Sheryl Handler-Matasar – recently led […]
Marty Joe overcomes clubfeet and clefts
Martin Joseph Kurowski – or Marty Joe – has been through a lot. With a team of specialists and determined parents, nothing slows down the toddler who was born with clubfeet, a cleft lip and cleft palate. A shocking diagnosis Marty was diagnosed in-utero with clubfeet and a cleft lip. “You want the best for […]
Dr. Julie Samora is new chair of Orthopedics
Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Julie Samora, MD, PhD, is the new department chair of Orthopedics at Akron Children’s. Dr. Samora comes to Akron Children’s from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she served as associate chief quality officer; surgical services director for diversity, equity, and inclusion; and director of clinical fellowship in quality and safety leadership at Nationwide […]
