Appearances can be deceiving. Fifteen-year-old Kane Selinsky appears to be a typical rising sophomore at Tusky Valley High School, where he plays football and baseball and enjoys fishing in his spare time. To see him now, you would never guess the harrowing experience he endured in June 2022. “I was in my backyard burning a […]
More Than a Job: Dietitian Jessica Barbieri helps patients thrive
Jessica Barbieri isn’t your average dietitian. Working in both the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and The Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute, supported by The Paul and Carol David Foundation at Akron Children’s, she plays a vital role in ensuring our most vulnerable patients receive the specialized nutrition they need to heal and grow. “I’ve […]
A parent’s perspective: Witnessing the power of our PICU
Many of us wear multiple hats in life. Advanced practice providers are no different. They dedicate themselves to caring for children, but at home, they’re simply parents. The following story comes from a place many providers can relate to – the vulnerability of their own child’s health and the profound gratitude for the incredible care […]
Ruth Weekley retires after a six-decade nursing career at Akron Children’s
Growing up in Evansville, Indiana, Ruth Weekley, PRN nurse in Akron Children’s Employee Health, dared to take chances and try new things. Ruth, who was the youngest of six children, spent school breaks working for a local lawyer and wanted to become a legal secretary. But a trip to Wisconsin to visit her older brother […]
16-year-old looking toward the future after having hands and feet amputated
When her 4 kids were under the weather in April 2023, Charde McMillian did what any good mom would do and took them to the doctor. “They were all diagnosed with strep throat and placed on antibiotics,” she said. “I figured we would go home, and they would get better.” But that evening 16-year-old Mason […]
Akron Children’s nurses among first in the U.S. to receive burn certification
Akron Children’s nurses take a lot of pride in what they do, and that’s one of the reasons many of them choose to pursue certification in their nursing field. Specialty nursing certification is the formal process through a credentialing agency that provides patients and families with validation that the nurse caring for them has demonstrated […]