Patient of the Month: A'mya

septiembre 30, 2025 –

Experiencing pain and hindering her from everyday activities, A’mya’s future remained uncertain. Her family turned to experts at Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine & Spine Institute for answers and thanks to a tailored care plan, A’mya’s life changed for the better after several surgeries.

Patient of the Month: Jalen

julio 30, 2025 –

What appeared to be a minor knee injury turned into a serious condition for Jalen. Fearing this would end his basketball dreams, Jalen and his family sought expert care at Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine & Spine Institute and found not only, but that they had a whole team supporting them through this journey.

Patient of the Month: Naomi

junio 30, 2025 –

Diagnosed with scoliosis at six years old, Naomi has been fighting hard to prevent further curvature of her spine. After years of trying various treatment options, and with puberty causing greater curve progression, Naomi and her family sought other treatment options. It was at Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine & Spine Institute where Naomi and her family found comfort and hope.

Natalie's Journey with Scoliosis

diciembre 17, 2024 – Natalie was diagnosed with early onset scoliosis at 19 months and underwent years of treatment, including casting, bracing, and three surgeries, under the care of Dr. Stephen G. George. At age 12, after her final surgery to correct her spine, she completed her 10-year treatment journey and is ready to move forward.

Patient of the Month: Luciana

septiembre 02, 2024 –

Despite being born prematurely, Luciana has always been a fighter and was determined to succeed. She came into the world with several complications – two heart conditions and a three-centimeter difference in length between each leg.

Santi Beats the Odds: A Story of Perseverance

agosto 30, 2024 – Santi brings joy to everyone around him, despite his medical limitations. At only age 7, Santi has memorized the telephone numbers of all his favorite people, including some of his nurses at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Samuel's Journey: Triumph Over Unimaginable Challenges

abril 26, 2024 – At just three months old, Samuel's life took a turn that would test the strength, faith and resilience of his family. Diagnosed with intractable epilepsy (when seizures can't be completely controlled by medicines), Samuel faced an uphill battle characterized by frequent and severe seizures, developmental delays and numerous health complications that puzzled even the most skilled doctors.

Liz: Growing inch by inch

febrero 12, 2024 – Liz was completely dependent on others to eat, bathe, and dress because of a condition known as a achondroplasia that impacts the growth of bone in the limbs. After learning of limb lengthening surgery, she met with Dr. Ruggles at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine, and Spine Institute. Now, Liz enjoys the little things like combing her own hair and carrying a bookbag to school.

Patient of the Month: Mikaela

agosto 31, 2023 – Treatment options for Mikaela's scoliosis diagnosis was severely limited in Paraguay during the pandemic, so Mikaela's parents brought her to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Thankfully, after undergoing a successful operation on her spine, Mikaela has restarted school and lives a more comfortable and confident life. 

Patient of the Month: Fabricio

marzo 31, 2023 – Fabricio was born prematurely at 32 weeks and spent 21 days in the ICU at a hospital in Colombia. Almost a year later Fabricio's family learned that he had spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, but it wasn't until a pediatric orthopedic surgeon visited Cartagena, Colombia on a mission trip where she met Fabricio and knew that she and her team at Nicklaus Children's could help.

Candido's Story

enero 13, 2023 – Candido is a rambunctious 2-year-old boy who loves to play and run around. During a bad fall that required an emergency room visit and x-ray imaging his family learned that he was born with a rare bone defect called congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia or CPT.

Young Soccer Star Overcomes Sport Injury

junio 06, 2022 – Stephanie has been playing soccer since the age of four. The star goalkeeper not only plays for her high school, she also is part of a competitive travel team that has won accolades throughout Florida. Her shining soccer career came to a sudden halt when she injured her shoulder. 

Patient of the Month: Graceston

abril 18, 2022 – After his ability to walk was severely limited, Graceston and his mother Curlene traveled from the Bahamas to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for a medical consult. Despite overwhelming personal and financial difficulties, Graceston is receiving vital corrective care and is continuing stronger than ever!

Patient of the Month: Nicolas

enero 24, 2022 – Nicolas and his family searched for help and answers in Colombia, and after multiple opinions he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA2). If continued untreated, he may lose the use of some muscles. Thankfully, Nicolas was able to visit Nicklaus Children’s for care.

A More Mobile Future for Jabarry

octubre 05, 2021 – Jabarry has always dreamed of playing soccer and basketball, but these activities were not possible due to his muscular limitations associated with cerebral palsy. He was a candidate for single event multilevel surgery (SEMLS), a surgical procedure that aims to correct many of these issues in one to two surgeries. After a successful surgery, Jabarry is now taking steps and has had the opportunity to kick a soccer ball and score a goal!

Ja'leah's Love for Basketball

junio 08, 2021 – Ja’leah Williams has always excelled in athletics. She began as a runner competing at the state and national level in track and field, and went on to win a gold medal in the Junior Olympics. Ja’leah learned she had idiopathic scoliosis with a 67 degree curvature during her junior year of high school.

Adam's Story

junio 08, 2021 – Adam Perez learned early on that he had scoliosis after a routine screening at school. However, shortly after he turned 16, the scoliosis had progressed enough that he needed surgery to correct the curvature in his spine. 

Isabel's Story

marzo 17, 2021 – Isabel George was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine physical at only 11 years of age. Although she had never complained of back pain and was a very active child, Isabel was diagnosed with a severe curvature of the spine of 60 degrees.

Patient of the Month: Mariana

marzo 16, 2021 – Just as the COVD-19 pandemic began, one-year old Mariana wasn't eating regularly and began making grunting noises that concerned her mother, Odaymis. After being rushed to Nicklaus Children's, Mariana's problems began to be identified, but a bigger fight was on the horizon. 

Ortho Athlete Spotlight: Motocross Racer Colt Golembeski

febrero 18, 2021 – At only 12 years of age, Colt is already an accomplished motocross racer. In January 2020, Colt went from being at the top of his game to enduring a devastating injury at a moment's notice. During a training event in Georgia, Colt jumped off the side of his motorcycle and felt his knee pop. He had torn his ACL.

Allison's Story: Top Gymnast Bounces Back After Injury

enero 22, 2021 – Allison Roca is among the top 100 gymnasts in the nation for her age division. Her rigorous routine came to a halt in the summer of 2020 while performing a stunt known as a front tuck. When she landed with her knee hyperextended her mother almost immediately knew that something was not right. Allison was in a lot of pain.

Patient of the Month: Tyler

septiembre 01, 2020 – When Tyler began to complain about pains in his shin, his dad thought it was a simple soccer injury. After multiple complaints, Tyler’s dad began to take it more serious. Following a series of exams and an osteosarcoma diagnosis in Jamaica, Tyler was referred to Dr. Temple, orthopedic surgeon at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for limb saving surgery.

Bianca’s Journey to Being Pain Free

septiembre 24, 2018 – Bianca suffered from pain and a severe bowleg deformity for many years as a result of Blount’s disease, a growth disorder that affects the bones in children and young adults.

Asnay Stands Up to Cerebral Palsy

mayo 08, 2017 – Asnay Machado is an ambitious Westland Senior High School student with dreams of becoming a lawyer one day. Asnay, who was born with cerebral palsy, recently enjoyed a boost in confidence thanks to a surgery at Nicklaus Children’s that has enabled him to stand up straight for the first time.

Devon, Determined to Stand

marzo 15, 2017 – At around 6 months of age, Devon's mother started noticing that he wasn't meeting his developmental milestones. By the time he was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy and his muscle development was impaired. Surgery, physical therapy, and Devon's own determination brought his quality of life beyond what his mother had initially thought possible.

Patient of the Month: Alessandra

enero 13, 2016 – At age 10, Alessandra was diagnosed with scoliosis and started receiving treatment at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Maddy's Success Story

septiembre 14, 2015 – When Maddy was only 12 hours old, she was flown to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to undergo the first of several surgeries to treat spina bifida, a congenital condition that affects the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. Thanks to a multidisciplinary team approach, Maddy received coordinated care by an array of subspecialists. 

Kimberly's Scoliosis Success Story

julio 13, 2015 – Kimberly was 14 years old when she started noticing an unevenness of her shoulders and rib cage, as well as the shortening of her torso. Her whole upper body was beginning to look disfigured, so her pediatrician referred her to the Orthopedics Department at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Young Boy Regains Ability to Walk

marzo 04, 2015 – By the time he was 13, Gerard was unable to walk. He was also experiencing seizures which prevented him from attending school. Gerard required surgery in order to decompress his spinal cord and repair the bone. The doctors at Nicklaus Children's Hospital were hopeful that surgery would be successful and Gerard could regain the sensation in his legs.

Patient of the Month: Alexis

junio 01, 2014 – Alexis has suffered more fractures in her short life of life than what the average person will in their entire lifetime. This is because Alexis has a very rare disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as "brittle bone disease." 

Keila's Success Story

marzo 19, 2014 – Keila underwent spinal fusion surgery at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and feels grateful for the care and support she received during her long recovery.

Tiffany's Success Story

enero 24, 2013 – Misdiagnosed several times after freak accident, until Dr. Asghar diagnosed her with a rare spinal disorder: Klippel-Feil syndrome.

Deborah's Success Story

diciembre 04, 2012 –

Deborah had one leg shorter than the other. She was treated at Nicklaus Children's Hospital until she was 18 years old and can now walk on her own.

Gianna's Success Story

enero 26, 2012 – Gianna, spent eight days in Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Her parents speak wonders of the surgeons and nurses that tended to her daughter during that time.

Tania's Scoliosis Success Story

enero 24, 2012 – Tania was eight years of age when was diagnosed with scoliosis. As she grew older, it got worse and so she had surgery with one of the best doctors in Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Ryan's Success Story

enero 24, 2012 – Ryan and his cousin were throwing Chinese stars into a tree when Ryan's hand slipped and he cut his finger. The only doctor and hospital that would take Ryan (due to the intricate possible tendon injury) was Dr. Perlyn and Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Jennifer's Spinal Surgery Success Story

enero 24, 2012 – Jennifer just got hired here at Nicklaus Children's Hospital! Not only does she feel so proud and lucky, but she also feels very honored to be a part of a hospital where she had a serious back surgery done several years ago.

Barbara's Success Story

enero 24, 2012 –

When Barbara was hospitalized, the hospital was called Variety Children's Hospital. She had congenital hip problems and had many operations before moving to Miami in 1953.

Keith's Success Story

enero 18, 2012 – After having his arm set wrong twice by two different orthopedics, his parents immediately took him to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where he received the treatment he needed.

Victor's Success Story

enero 12, 2012 – Victor was at Nicklaus Children's Hospital when he was seven years old due to his broken femur bone on his left leg. He missed an entire year of first grade. Being seven years old, it was difficult for him to realize what was going on. But the staff at Nicklaus Children's Hospital were there for him every step of the way, helping him get better.

St. Clair's Success Story

febrero 16, 2010 – St. Clair was having trouble walking because his legs were tilting inwards, which was wearing out his joints and resulting in painful and premature arthritis. His condition progressed to a point where he could no longer play sports or even walk without pain. He was diagnosed with genu valgum, more commonly known as knock-knees.

New 'Turbo' Limb-Lengthening Technique Helps Jalen Move Ahead

junio 02, 2008 – Jalen  is the first patient regionally to benefit from a new “turbo” limb lengthening procedure that reduced the length of time he wore the frame to only six weeks.