Children's Healthcare of Atlanta’s Post

When 20-year-old Katy began babysitting for a little girl named Ivey in her hometown of Rome, Ga., she never imagined it would lead to a career as a Children’s nurse five years later. Learning to care for Ivey, who was diagnosed with a partial deletion to the q-arm of her 21st chromosome, ignited Katy’s passion for helping kids with unique medical needs. She now drives 80 miles from home every day to work as a nurse in the technology-dependent intensive care unit (TICU) at Children’s, where Ivey was a patient. When asked about the lengthy commute, Katy doesn’t bat an eye. “What’s a silly two-hour drive if I get to do what I love!” 💚

Earlier this week, Children’s employees joined our scoliosis patients and their families at the Georgia State Capitol to recognize June as Scoliosis Awareness Month in Georgia.

Reunited and it feels so good! While Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe was in town, he pulled off the surprise of the century, putting the biggest smile on the face of Dr. Cliff Willimon, a Children’s pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Willimon performed surgery on Owen’s hip impingement and a labral tear seven years ago. Following his recovery, Owen returned to the football field just three months later, earned a scholarship to play football at Auburn and now is in the NFL.

Last week, Children’s, the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation department, the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta and the American Red Cross of Georgia joined together for the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition’s World's Largest Swim Lesson. The nationwide event raises awareness about the importance of teaching kids how to swim. Drowning is the leading cause of death in kids ages 1 through 4. This summer, and all year round, we’re committed to helping kids splash safely. Remember: Eye's reach. Arm's reach. Always. Learn more about keeping kids safe in and around water at https://lnkd.in/e5KJS2my.

To celebrate #Juneteenth, Children’s partnered with Black Employees & Allies Connecting Our Networks (BEACON)—our Black employee resource group—to host a commemorative celebration. Employees and their families enjoyed arts and crafts, special performances and reflected on the importance of recognizing the holiday.

After a diagnosis of aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder, Taylor came to our Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for a bone marrow transplant. Through the ups and downs of her treatment and recovery, Taylor found herself looking forward to visits from her music therapist, Laura. Music was more than a distraction – it became a source of healing and inspiration for Taylor. With the help of Make-A-Wish Georgia, Taylor will be donating new musical instrument to Arthur M. Blank Hospital to give back to our music therapy program and bring hope and joy to other kids like her. 

A piece of art that means more. When you adopt a digital woodland animal, not only would you be supporting the opening of Arthur M. Blank Hospital on September 29, but also leaving a legacy that will echo in its halls for years to come. Your generous donation will be commemorated with a custom piece of artwork designed by the talented Lucy Reiser Chapman. Adopt an animal today: https://bit.ly/3yeRxCY.

No matter what, you can always catch Kennedy with a smile on her face. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age one, Kennedy and her family traveled numerous times from Northeast Georgia to Children’s for doctor’s appointments and therapy to manage her symptoms, such as increased muscle tone. At the age of 11, Kennedy’s family brought her to see Dr. Leung, a pediatric #physiatrist, who created a specialized care plan for Kennedy that included an innovative procedure called a #cryoneurolysis, which has been shown to provide relief for patients with increased muscle tone. After undergoing her first cryoneurolysis procedure earlier this year, Kennedy went from having very limited function in her hands to getting back to doing the things she loves—playing with her toys, getting her nails done and most importantly, giving the best hugs. Dr. Leung and Dr. Vova, Division Chief of Physiatry at Children’s, have been performing the cryoneurolysis procedure for the past eight months—making Children’s one of the first pediatric hospitals in the country to use this treatment.

Ever wonder it’s like to be a pediatric emergency medicine physician? Follow along as we show you a day in the life of Dr. Middlebrooks, who has worked in our Egleston emergency department for seven years. Dr. Middlebrooks is trained to care for patients with concerning coughs and fevers to life-threatening traumas caused by car accidents. When she is not at her patients’ bedside, Dr. Middlebrooks dedicates her time to collaborating with other physicians and leading research studies. Follow along to watch a day in her life: https://bit.ly/4ecOj38.