While our son, Dakota, was born at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic — in the winter of 2021 — we were ecstatic he was healthy with no cause for concern. Weighing 9 pounds and measuring 22 inches long, he was every bit the pure joy our family had waited 42 weeks for. In his […]
More than a job: Alex Leister’s career is soaring as a critical care transport nurse
When Alex Leister dreamt of becoming a nurse, being a critical care flight nurse was always her end goal because it fit well with her Type A, adventurous personality. Flight nurses, or transport nurses, are registered nurses who do many of the same tasks they would do in the emergency room or ICU setting, but […]
Dr. Kevin Watson connects with students during Future Healthcare Leaders’ Summit
Since the fall of 2015, Summa Health System has partnered with Akron Children’s and other community organizations to provide a day of engaging, hands-on activities for high school students from Akron Public Schools. This event, Future Healthcare Leaders’ Summit, is held on the University of Akron campus. The goal is to engage adolescents from Akron, […]
Canton family uses a winning mix of luck, love & bingo funds to fill hospital shelves with toys
(Originally published November 2022) Several times a year, a large truck pulls up to the doors of Akron Children’s and boxes and boxes of toys are unloaded. Each arrival is like its own Christmas morning. The dolls, construction sets, action figures, fluffy friends, craft kits, classic board games, and “it” toys of the moment will […]
Teenager discovers she is “allergic to the cold”
This winter, Gabby Conrow, 17, isn’t quite sure what to expect when the weather turns cold and snowy. In August, 2023, Gabby was diagnosed with cold urticaria, a rare medical condition that causes her to develop a painful, itchy rash when she is exposed to the cold. “Being out in the cold is one of […]
What you need to know about croup
You’ve probably heard of croup. It causes the telltale “barking” cough that mimics that of a seal and the high-pitched, squeaky noise when kids breathe. But if your child has ever come down with croup, which causes inflammation in the upper airways, it can be a scary experience. “At first, a child may have cold […]
