Archive for Joanne Barker
Generations of excellence in surgical care: Dr. Emans and Dr. Hogue
Some surgeons follow their patients for years, even decades. This is true of Dr. John Emans, who has treated patients with complex spine conditions at Boston Children’s Hospital for more than 40 years. Beloved by patients, he is also widely respected by spine surgeons for his groundbreaking scoliosis research. Dr. Grant Hogue first met Dr. ... Read More about Generations of excellence in surgical care: Dr. Emans and Dr. Hogue
Clubfoot bracing for an active boy: Finn’s story
When Finn Beaulieu learned how to say elephant, he ran around the house repeating the word at least 20 times. When asked to rate his activity level, his mother Carolyn says, “He’s 2½, I would say his activity level is high.” Finn’s joy of movement can make it challenging for his parents to put him ... Read More about Clubfoot bracing for an active boy: Finn’s story
Can the show go on? Song, dance, and other activities during COVID-19
At the start of any typical school year, Kelly Blake is busy meeting with the after-school clubs she runs. This year, however, Blake’s schedule — and her students’ schedules — are full of unknowns. “The school has so many things related to COVID-19 to figure out this year,” she says. “After-school activities are not a ... Read More about Can the show go on? Song, dance, and other activities during COVID-19
Helping athletes cope with the emotional rollercoaster of COVID-19
“The athletes I work with are over this,” says Kimberly O’Brien, a clinical social worker in the Sports Medicine Division. Last spring, when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of organized sports, coaches and athletes assumed they’d be playing again by autumn. Now it’s clear many athletes’ plans will remain on hold through the fall season, possibly ... Read More about Helping athletes cope with the emotional rollercoaster of COVID-19
COVID-19 and sports: Is it safe to play again?
It was hard on athletes when COVID-19 forced sports to shut down last spring, but at least everyone was in the same boat. Six months later, the picture is very different. Depending on where they live, what sport they play, and who they play with, some athletes are back in training. Others have to wait ... Read More about COVID-19 and sports: Is it safe to play again?
Back to school during COVID-19: Children with special needs
If this were a normal year, summer would be wrapping up and kids would be returning to the routines of another school year. But school will be different this fall. From staggered start times to classrooms set up for physical distance, kids are in for an unpredictable year. The many changes may be especially difficult ... Read More about Back to school during COVID-19: Children with special needs
Diagnosed with clubfeet before he was born: Gabriel’s story
Cheryl Bratt and her wife, Sue, expected a routine visit when they went in for their 18-week ultrasound. Cheryl, a professor, had scheduled the test before her morning class. The radiologist was reassuring through the entire ultrasound — until the end. “Then she told us the baby had clubfeet and we needed to see a specialist.” Just ... Read More about Diagnosed with clubfeet before he was born: Gabriel’s story
Sports injuries: Why ignoring pain is bad for athletes
“No guts, no glory.” “No pain, no gain.” “Rub some dirt in it.” Sports clichés like these encourage young athletes to push themselves even when their bodies tell them to stop. But sucking it up increases a player’s risk of injury. If he could, Dr. Mininder Kocher, chief of the Sports Medicine Division, would erase ... Read More about Sports injuries: Why ignoring pain is bad for athletes
Back to school and COVID-19: Tips for divorced parents
Fall 2020 will go down in history as one of the most complicated back-to-school seasons ever. The uncertainties of the academic year and COVID-19 have put parents in a bind: how to give kids the benefits of in-person learning without putting them — or the rest of the family — at risk of infection. For ... Read More about Back to school and COVID-19: Tips for divorced parents
Provider Spotlight: Meet Carla Coutinho
Before joining the clinical team at Boston Children’s Primary Care at Martha Eliot, Carla Reis Coutinho was a pediatric nurse in Lowell, Massachusetts. Earlier in her career, she provided educational and career counseling for students who speak English as a second language. What’s your job at Boston Children’s Primary Care at Martha Eliot? As a ... Read More about Provider Spotlight: Meet Carla Coutinho