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Speak Now for Kids Week Gives Patient and Family Advocates a Platform  

Speak Now for Kids Week is a public platform for citizen advocates to learn, get involved and influence the outcomes of current child health policies. This year, three Gillette families met with representatives from the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to advocate for kids and Children's Hospitals.

The Marvelous, Mountain Biking Mari

With her shock of blonde hair blowing in the wind, Mari laughs while flying down the trails on her mountain bike and has aspirations to conquer the monkey bars at her local playground. These athletic feats become all the more impressive when you consider the fact that Mari was born missing nearly all of the fingers on her right hand.

Gillette provides expert help as CDC predicts Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning parents and medical professionals that 2020 will be another peak year for cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) a rare, polio-like neurological condition that affects mostly children. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is ready to be an important center for AFM care and rehabilitation when the outbreak is set to peak this fall.

Back to School Decisions and Support

At Gillette, we understand the difficult decision parents are making this fall as you consider education options for your child amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As you receive guidance from your child’s school, we are here to support you as you make the best choice for your child and your family.

Why I’m Here: For My Brother, for My Patients

When I work with my patients at Gillette, I try not to impose my story and my “why” on them and their families. But inevitably, it comes up. My younger brother, Peter has cerebral palsy. He’s why I do what I do and why I’m here. I’m immensely proud of him and grateful to have had the privilege of being his sister.

Detective Work and Data Help Detect Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD)

Diagnosing velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) takes careful listening, testing, data collection and detective work. VPD is an umbrella term that describes multiple disorders that cause leakage of air into the nasal passages during speech production. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare speech-language pathologist, Graham Schenck, PhD, has special training in VPD and is an expert in its detection.

Turning Can’t Into Can Since 2011: Peter’s Cerebral Palsy Journey

In all the ways that matter, Peter is your typical 8-year-old. He’s a protective older brother to his younger sister Katie, loves cars, sports and Star Wars. He’s easy to smile, quick to laugh and brings joy to all who meet him. When you’re in Peter’s presence, the fact that he has cerebral palsy and can’t speak, quickly becomes an afterthought.

Meet our 2020 Top Doctors

Mpls. St. Paul Magazine recently released its “Top Doctors list,” which includes the names of 24 physicians from Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. The magazine determines award recipients based on a survey sent to physicians each year, asking them to nominate one or more doctors (excluding themselves) whom they would visit if they or a loved one needed medical care.

Virtual Appointments Break Down Barriers for Families

When virtual appointments were first proposed, we were appreciative but admittedly skeptical about how that would work. But having recently made the shift over to virtual appointments, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by how seamless the transition was. Naturally, there were some growing pains in the beginning, but there were many benefits that emerged over time.

When Life Hands You COVID-19…Make a Virtual Lemonade Stand

Joe Carr is a socially connected doer and thinker so a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic was not about to stop him from launching his 5th annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. In fact, Joe and his team say in a strange twist COVID-19 might make this year of fund raising even more successful.