In 2015, John and Denise Hirschbeck formed the Magic of Michael Foundation in honor of their son Michael, who died of a rare neurological disease called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in 2014. The goal of their foundation is to help families facing life’s curveballs – a nod to Michael’s love of baseball and John’s longtime Major League […]
Woman shares how childhood cancer led to career helping kids
If you saw 25-year-old Molly Norris today, you’d never guess she’s been fighting serious health challenges since she was a toddler. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at age 2, a biologic medication finally gave her relief. But in 2010, when she was in 5th grade, her health again took a turn for the worse. […]
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, […]
Family says counseling, open communication key to strong mental health
For Cohen Pierce, it was triggered by the transition to middle school. For his younger sister Lila, it was most apparent the morning of test days. The “its” in both cases were mental health concerns. Cohen’s depression manifested as changes in his personality. He went from his normal happy-go-lucky self to feeling down and negative […]
Pediatric Gastroenterology thrives under leadership of Dr. Reinaldo Garcia-Naveiro
As the director of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Akron Children’s, Dr. Reinaldo Garcia-Naveiro has built a thriving division that will one day be his legacy. “The difference between building a clinical practice and building a division is that when you are gone, so is the clinical practice. A division is permanent and not dependent on one […]
Akron Children’s Brachial Plexus Treatment Center helps kids overcome arm injuries
Kids who are diagnosed with a brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) need access to treatment plans with specific assessments and interventions at different stages of their life. For families in the 25-county region that Akron Children’s serves, this specialized care is offered close to home through the Akron Children’s Brachial Plexus Treatment Center. A brachial […]
