Patient of the Month: Naomi

June 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

December 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: Mikaela

August 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. 

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. 

Isabel's Story

March 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: Layla

January 02, 2019 – When Layla was 5, she came to Nicklaus Children's Hospital with a severe case of scoliosis. To help straighten her spine, Layla spent time in halo gravity traction. While her mom returned home to Gainesville for work and school, the nurses at Nicklaus Children's took care of Layla, acting as substitute mothers and making sure she was well cared for.

Haley's Success Story

July 03, 2018 – Growing up, Haley Gantt suffered from scoliosis. She had to wear a back brace to prevent her curve from worsening, but unfortunately, she was later told that a spinal fusion surgery would have to be considered because the brace had failed to prevent the curve from progressing. She fought hard and got through it. An accomplished basketball player, Haley is now on her way to playing Division II basketball for Biola University in Southern California.

Patient of the Month: Alessandra

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

Surgery Puts Sarah Back on Track

November 29, 2015 – Sarah was born with Noonan syndrome, a genetic condition that can result in spinal curvature and other abnormalities. She underwent her first surgery for scoliosis at age 13 with the Center for Spinal Disorders at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly's Scoliosis Success Story

July 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

March 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.

Tiffany's Success Story

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

Tania's Scoliosis Success Story

January 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.

Jennifer's Spinal Surgery Success Story

January 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.