Kids Health Matters
Tag: orthopedics

Aaron Navarro is a 14-year-old teenager from Grandview, Texas. He's a sophomore this year, is an active member of his high school debate team and runs 5K races (even though he’ll tell you that running isn’t his favorite thing). His mother, Christine, will tell you that the fact that he is running at all is nothing short of remarkable.

Back pain is more common in children than one might expect. In fact, by age 15, 30-50 percent of all children have had at least one episode of back pain! At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, our team of internationally-recognized orthopedic experts work closely with many pediatric patients each year, helping them identify and treat their unexplained back pain.

April 14 was a rainy night at Target Field, but the rain didn’t stop the thousands in attendance from rising to their feet to cheer as Eli Brummond, 11, flew towards home plate. He was moving fast enough that you wouldn’t necessarily notice at first. Eli’s left leg is missing from just below his knee and he wears a prosthesis.

The pediatric orthopedic department at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is the first pediatric health care organization in Minnesota and several surrounding states to be recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).This achievement highlights Gillette’s commitment to integrated care and its focus on providing the highest quality of care for our patients and families.

Wes Jackson is a thoughtful, kind and inquisitive kid. He also has cerebral palsy, but he won't let that (or anything else for that matter) get in his way. Get to know Wes and his family, you'll be glad you did.

The day was Christmas Eve, the year was 2003 and the Ketelhohns were resting and watching a movie in their home near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was an idyllic evening, but their youngest daughter, 8-month-old, Kate, had a slight fever. It was the type of malady that many children experience throughout their development. There was no reason to worry, until there was.

Take a moment and picture your best friend. They may come into our lives at different times, but everyone has one. How we meet them doesn’t really matter. What matters is finding that one person who truly understands you. That person you can be vulnerable with, who shares in your joy and successes, and helps you through life’s challenges.

Roderick Bright is 11 years old, but don’t let that fool you. He’s not a kid. Ask him who he is and he’ll tell you: Roderick is an athlete. There was only one problem.

Becky Hamilton can’t help but get a bit emotional as she prepares to hang up her scrubs after 40 years as a Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare nurse. She’ll freely tell you that when you devote so much of your life to an organization, your colleagues become like family. This goes for your patients as well.