Archive for Jessica Cerretani
Minimally invasive approaches help ease Sydney’s chronic pain
Sydney Hart wants to reimagine the traditional “handicap” symbol. In her online shop, she offers pins, stickers, and other products that infuse the classic wheelchair silhouette with yin-yang symbols, LGBTQ and transgender flags, and even sassy devil horns. “I hope that having symbols with more character will open up the conversation and humanize people with ... Read More about Minimally invasive approaches help ease Sydney’s chronic pain
Staff Spotlight: Meet Jonette Jean-Louis
Jonette Jean-Louis is the program coordinator for the Midaortic Syndrome and Renovascular Hypertension Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Midaortic syndrome is a rare but serious condition in which the part of the aorta (the heart’s largest blood vessel) that runs through the chest and abdomen becomes narrow. This can lead to lower blood flow in ... Read More about Staff Spotlight: Meet Jonette Jean-Louis
Another level of gratitude: Spina bifida care for Liam
Most parents first walk through the doors of Boston Children’s Hospital seeking answers about their child’s health. But until recently, when Mary Holleran arrived at the hospital, she was simply beginning another day at work. A nurse practitioner, she’s been on staff at Boston Children’s for more than a decade, much of it spent caring ... Read More about Another level of gratitude: Spina bifida care for Liam
Women in Medicine Month: Celebrating women who paved the way
September is Women in Medicine Month, the perfect time to acknowledge the many brilliant, talented, and passionate women who care for our patients and innovate new discoveries every day at Boston Children’s Hospital. In honor of Boston Children’s 150th anniversary, we’d like to recognize a few of the many trailblazers who helped pave the way. ... Read More about Women in Medicine Month: Celebrating women who paved the way
Study sounds another warning about proton pump inhibitors
A recent study adds to growing concerns about a class of drugs frequently prescribed to suppress stomach acid in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Previous research has linked the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to an increased risk of various pulmonary and gastrointestinal infections in both adults and children. Patients treated with PPIs ... Read More about Study sounds another warning about proton pump inhibitors
Pioneering microbiome findings shed light on aspiration
When children have respiratory infections, clinicians tend to blame gastroesophageal reflux, based on the assumption that bacteria-laden stomach contents rise into the mouth and are then aspirated. As a result, clinicians often recommend a type of anti-reflux surgery called fundoplication to treat these infections. Yet, despite undergoing this procedure, many patients don’t improve. A new ... Read More about Pioneering microbiome findings shed light on aspiration
A lifetime of care: Looking back with nurse Donna Morash
On August 30, Donna Morash, a registered nurse in the Boston Children’s Hospital Advanced Fetal Care Center (AFCC), will retire after 46 years of service to families. We asked her to share some of her favorite memories from her career at Boston Children’s. Why did you originally choose to work at Boston Children’s? I was ... Read More about A lifetime of care: Looking back with nurse Donna Morash
Making up for lost time: Living with esophageal atresia
Whether he’s riding his dirt bike, learning how to swim, playing with his dogs and cats, or herding the chickens and goats on his family’s farm, Landen Spry loves staying active and being outside. “He’s making up for lost time,” says his mother, Jolene. She isn’t exaggerating. During his young life, he’s spent nearly a ... Read More about Making up for lost time: Living with esophageal atresia
Urodynamics testing: What to expect
If your child has been diagnosed with a colorectal or pelvic malformation, they may also experience urological problems such as vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, or neurogenic bladder. These conditions can make it difficult to store or empty urine properly, leading to incontinence and accidents. “For these reasons, a urologist is often involved in the care of ... Read More about Urodynamics testing: What to expect
Vitamin D: Absorption matters
If you’ve been hearing more about vitamin D recently, that’s because a growing number of studies have linked this nutrient to a range of potential health benefits, from a lower risk of flu to protection against cancer. Although the evidence isn’t firm for all of the many claims made about vitamin D, we do know ... Read More about Vitamin D: Absorption matters