John Carter has been a beloved employee of Akron Children’s since 1999. On Aug. 1 he retires after 26 years. When John first came to Akron Children’s he worked in food services and then transitioned to the linen department and eventually security. “Before visitor monitors transitioned to the volunteer and visitor services team, we worked […]
Gabrielle’s growing, learning and thriving after care for gastroschisis
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, […]
Julian’s journey from cleft diagnosis to a confident smile
Pregnant with her first child in 2018, Lindsay George was looking forward to her 20-week ultrasound. But amid the excitement came unexpected news: Her unborn baby had a cleft lip and palate. Unfamiliar with the condition, Lindsay wasted no time learning everything she could. “I wanted to be prepared, so I did a lot of […]
Delivering empathy and expertise: Sue Nicholas retires from Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Sue Nicholas, a nurse practitioner in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, has felt privileged to work with high-risk pregnancies during her 15-year career at Akron Children’s. Her role as part of a multidisciplinary team gave her many opportunities to support families while they navigate uncertain times and make difficult decisions. As she prepares to retire on July 25, […]
After helping young athletes get back in the game, Dr. Joe Congeni set to retire
Dr. Joe Congeni was a Cleveland kid who grew up loving his hometown, sports and, early on, became a firm believer in the good that can come from being part of a team. As he retires Aug. 1 from Akron Children’s, where he served as the long-time director of Sports Medicine until 2024, he considers […]
What parents should know about bee sting allergies
It’s that time of year: baseball, barbecues and bee stings. Dr. Lisa Sammon, pediatric allergist and director of the Akron Children’s Center for Allergy and Immunology shares her expertise about bee sting allergies. Q: How common are bee sting allergies in kids? A: Despite much fear surrounding bee stings, severe allergy to bees is quite […]













