Research
Solving genetic mysteries – in the NICU and beyond
A growing number of children with suspected genetic disorders are having their complete exomes sequenced, since it’s now often faster and cheaper to sequence all the protein-coding genes at once rather than test limited groups of genes. But even after whole-exome sequencing, 70 to 75 percent of children come away without a genetic explanation for ... Read More about Solving genetic mysteries – in the NICU and beyond
Clinical Care
Patricia Hickey receives nursing research award
Patricia Hickey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, vice president and associate chief nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital, was recently awarded the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Distinguished Research Lecturer Award. Nominated by her peers, this award celebrates Patricia’s breakthroughs in nursing research that have spanned more than 20 years — focusing heavily on understanding the ... Read More about Patricia Hickey receives nursing research award
Research
Discoveries promise new strides for spinal cord injury patients
When neurobiologist Clifford Woolf, MB, BCh, PhD, began investigating potential treatments for spinal cord injury more than 30 years ago at University College London, he had mixed feelings about accepting funding for the research. “To be honest, the prospect that something could realistically make an impact on spinal cord injury in my lifetime seemed like ... Read More about Discoveries promise new strides for spinal cord injury patients
Clinical Care
Fifty years as a Boston Children’s nurse
Mary Ellen Pierce, RN, MS, CPN, has been a nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital since 1969. She currently works in the Perioperative Care Coordination Clinic. I’ve been a nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital for almost 50 years, but this hospital has always been part of my life. When I was a kid, my father would ... Read More about Fifty years as a Boston Children’s nurse
Patient Stories
For Kayla, post-surgical pain relief supports a lifetime of care
At 24, Kayla Regan is old enough to be the mother of some of her fellow patients at Boston Children’s Hospital. “I like to say that I’m one of the elderly patients here,” she laughs. All jokes aside, Kayla has been receiving care at Boston Children’s since she was 14. That was when she first ... Read More about For Kayla, post-surgical pain relief supports a lifetime of care
Clinical Care
My nursing story: Harriett Nelson
Harriett Nelson, CCRN, NRP, is a staff nurse III with the Critical Care Transport Team at Boston Children’s Hospital. Before becoming a nurse on the Critical Care Transport Team (CCTT) in 2005, I was a bedside nurse in the Medical-Surgical ICU (MSICU), where I was introduced to palliative care. We all know that the doctors, ... Read More about My nursing story: Harriett Nelson
Patient Stories
Finally getting answers about Jack’s reflux
Katie Accardi isn’t a first-time parent. As mom to 4-year-old Harper, she’s familiar with typical baby behavior, like crying and mild fussiness. In fact, she’s even experienced in caring for a sick child: Harper, who has been treated for bronchomalacia, subglottic stenosis, and other conditions, has been a patient at Boston Children’s Hospital since she ... Read More about Finally getting answers about Jack’s reflux
Clinical Care
My nursing story: Brittany Frazer
Brittany Frazer, RN, CPNP, CPHON, is an advanced practice registered nurse level I at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Getting from one place to another in life is a journey; the circumstances along the way help you appreciate it, and, when you achieve your goal, it’s truly a bonus. When I moved to ... Read More about My nursing story: Brittany Frazer
Patient Stories
How I was inspired to become a nurse
On October 17, 2011, I woke up with a headache so severe I could not go to school. Even at age 13, I knew this type of pain was not normal, even though I had been having headaches for more than a year. Before I knew it, I was being rushed by ambulance to Boston ... Read More about How I was inspired to become a nurse
Clinical Care
My nursing story: Alexis Schmid
Dr. Alexis Schmid is a nurse in the Emergency Department at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Maggie Ryan Endowed Global Health Fellow. Fifty million children around the world are currently migrants or refugees, uprooted from their homes due to violence, poverty, or other factors out of their control. The statistics are alarming: Approximately 70 percent ... Read More about My nursing story: Alexis Schmid