A Bright Future for Cassian Thanks to Genomic Testing

February 15, 2022 – Cassian experienced persistent pulmonary hypertension soon after he was born. Doctors transferred the ill newborn to Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to learn a genetic reason for his illness. Nicklaus Children’s is one of only two hospitals in Florida offering rapid whole genome sequencing (rWGS). Due to this, Cassian received an early diagnosis and did not experience the severe consequences associated with Wilson’s disease.

Taylor Outruns Heart Disease To Graduate College and Complete a Marathon

February 04, 2022 – Taylor was born at 28 weeks at St Mary's Hospital and was transferred to Nicklaus Children's hospital due to her patent ductus arteriosus. She was also diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four heart defects that affects one in approximately 2,500 children. Today, Taylor is a healthy 21-year-old who has completed three half marathons and recently her first full marathon.

Patient of the Month: Nicolas

January 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.

Gabrien's Story

January 14, 2022 – During a routine ultrasound early in her pregnancy, Rebecca Jones and her husband Brent were devastated to learn there was something wrong with their baby’s heart. The expectant parents learned their baby, Gabrien, had a rare heart defect called transposition of the great arteries, a condition in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed. Their obstetrician referred them to Dr. David Drossner, a pediatric cardiologist and director of outpatient cardiology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. 

Melany's Story

December 29, 2021 – Melany began experiencing stomach pain and rapid weight loss, and later that year, she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. A family friend recommended Dr. Crim from Nicklaus Children's Hospital, and Melany's mom decided to give her a visit. Melany has now reached a healthy weight and learned to manage her condition.

Krue's Battle With Crohn’s Disease

December 20, 2021 – Krue began experiencing frequent high fevers and changes in his bowel habits when he was only 5 years old. After several tests and procedures were performed, Krue was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Patient of the Month: Jayden

December 13, 2021 – After experiencing seizures, Jayden’s parents, Dayse and Oscar, who are nurses at Nicklaus Children’s, knew exactly where to go to get their son on the right path to recovery.

Living With Hemophilia: Kevin's Story

November 30, 2021 – Kevin was only two years old when he was diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that prevents the blood from clotting properly. He learned to give himself his medication, which he had to inject every other day. Today, Kevin says he owes his success to his family, his care team, and of course, himself for being his own advocate.

Leonardo Finds His Voice

November 08, 2021 – Leonardo’s vocal cords were fused from birth, causing him difficulty breathing with any type of common cold and preventing the child from speaking. Fortunately, his condition was treatable and involved a surgery to separate his fused vocal cords into two healthy vocal cords. 

Patient of the Month: Mariangel

October 26, 2021 – Mariangel, born in a small town called Galerazamba, Colombia, was diagnosed in utero with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects mobility, balance and posture. After searching for answers for years, she finally found help after a Nicklaus Children’s Hospital pediatric orthopedic surgeon visited her hometown on a medical mission trip.

#Jaydenstrong: Two Nicklaus Children’s Nurses Find Hope and Healing for Their Ailing Son

October 22, 2021 – Dayse and Oscar Delgado are two registered nurses that worked at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for more than 25 years providing care for many children. They had always had the role of care providers until September 2020, when their 2-year-old son Jayden experienced his first seizure. Suddenly they found themselves seeking out the services of the hospital where they had dedicated their careers.

A More Mobile Future for Jabarry

October 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!

Patient of the Month: Daniela

September 24, 2021 –

After noticing a small bump beginning to grow on his daughter, Daniel rushed to the emergency room at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. After seeking treatment in their home country, the concerning bump grew and forced the family to journey back to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for immediate treatment.

Patient of the Month: Athena

August 24, 2021 –

When Apollonia was four months pregnant, she received a call that would change her life forever. Her unborn baby girl was diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), an infection with a wide range of symptoms including fever and fatigue to more severe symptoms that may affect the eyes, brain or other internal organs.

Patient of the Month: Graciela

July 19, 2021 –

After experiencing sudden weight loss and stomach pains, Graciela was taken to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. In reviewing tests and images of Graciela's digestive tract, doctors found ten ulcers and determined a diagnosis, Crohn's disease.

Abraham's Journey With Prenatal Cleft Lip and Palate

July 19, 2021 – Abraham's mother was seven months pregnant when she found out her son was diagnosed prenatally with cleft lip and palate. Worried about her baby's future, she began a search for answers that led her to the Craniofacial Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where she became the first parent to consult with the program about a prenatal patient. At 6 months of age, Abraham underwent the first of many surgeries.

Patient of the Month: Ashley

June 21, 2021 –

Ashley was born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a rare condition which requires complex surgeries to correct. Finally, years after Ashley and her family began searching for help, they arrived at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Now, she's living a healthy, happy life!

Baby Girl Thriving Thanks to Investigational Treatment for Brain Tumors

June 09, 2021 – Bruna was diagnosed with a rapidly growing brain tumor, called a ganglioglioma, when she was only three months old. Her parents worked tirelessly to find the care she needed in Bolivia where they live. Despite many obstacles, they were connected to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where a clinical trial for ganglioglioma is underway.

Ja'leah's Love for Basketball

June 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

June 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.