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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
Clinical Care
Treating chronic pain virtually: A telehealth success story
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced shutdowns in March 2020, many clinicians found themselves faced with a whole new challenge: conducting much of patient care from their computers. Although telehealth was already a part of some physicians’ practices, others have had to learn how to adapt existing clinical skills to virtual platforms. But there have been ... Read More about Treating chronic pain virtually: A telehealth success story
Patient Stories
Devina’s story: Minimally invasive Foker process repairs esophageal atresia
Selina De Leon doesn’t have a background in medicine — but she does have experience being a mom. When the mother of four learned that her youngest child, Devina, had a rare birth defect, “I said, ‘esophageal what?’” she remembers. The condition, called esophageal atresia (EA), occurs when a baby’s esophagus develops in two separate ... Read More about Devina’s story: Minimally invasive Foker process repairs esophageal atresia
Clinical Care
At the forefront of kidney stone removal: Innovative approaches transform patient care
No longer considered just an adult problem, kidney stones increasingly affect children as well. The majority of children who cannot pass stones on their own can be treated with minimally invasive approaches such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, laparoscopic and robotic approaches and, rarely, open surgery. Now, two recent innovations provide additional ... Read More about At the forefront of kidney stone removal: Innovative approaches transform patient care
Patient Stories
Osteosarcoma patient gets chance to be a ‘normal college kid’
For almost half of his life, Michael Murray has had to grapple with cancer, including multiple relapses. One of his hardest setbacks was hearing that his cancer had returned just weeks before he was set to start his freshman year at Boston College. With the news, Michael worried that his future would be in jeopardy. ... Read More about Osteosarcoma patient gets chance to be a ‘normal college kid’
Patient Stories
IBD surgery gives Ben a new taste for life (and hamburgers)
Ben Irland, 13, has been enjoying a lot of hamburgers lately. It’s an exciting development for him, since until recently meat — as well as most other foods — caused him pain. That’s because Ben has been dealing with the effects of Crohn’s disease, one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for the past decade. ... Read More about IBD surgery gives Ben a new taste for life (and hamburgers)
Patient Stories
Still within reach: Virtual visits keep Hadley plugged into stroke care
When it’s time for Hadley Rizza to see her care team in the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, she doesn’t have to leave home. Although Hadley and her parents, Eric and Meredith, live in the Pacific Northwest, appointments with her clinicians are just a click away, thanks to the hospital’s Virtual Visits ... Read More about Still within reach: Virtual visits keep Hadley plugged into stroke care
Patient Stories
Appreciating the small things: A New York family’s journey with CHD
The Harris family of Monroe, New York, are no strangers to congenital heart disease (CHD). Eighteen-year-old Jack Jr. grew up living with CHD, but had always been active. His father, Jack Sr., had also lived an active adulthood, completely unaware of his future CHD diagnosis. When they each found themselves in need of heart surgery, ... Read More about Appreciating the small things: A New York family’s journey with CHD
Patient Stories
Avoiding a dangerous attraction to magnets: Lainey’s story
A few days before Valentine’s Day in 2013, 2-year-old Lainey Styles wasn’t feeling well. She had vomited, was lethargic, and had a fever. After visiting the pediatrician, her mother Jessica thought Lainey had a stomach virus. But the appearance of a softball size bruise around Lainey’s belly button a couple of days later prompted her ... Read More about Avoiding a dangerous attraction to magnets: Lainey’s story
Patient Stories
Fighting for answers: Innovative approach to epilepsy helps Emma thrive
As a nurse, Lynda Coto was used to solving problems — until she was faced with her own daughter’s seemingly inexplicable illness. “I always have answers, and if I don’t, I find them,” she says. “But this time, I just didn’t know.” The questions surrounding Emma’s health began almost as soon as she was born. At ... Read More about Fighting for answers: Innovative approach to epilepsy helps Emma thrive