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Kids Health Matters
Topic: Research and Innovation

Home / Kids Health Matters / Research and Innovation
Research and Innovation

Super Sam and Cerebral Palsy

At Target Field, every Sunday is Kid’s Day and on a beautiful summer day in August of 2019, Samuel Anastos scored the first honorary run of a Minnesota Twins game. It was a joyous moment made all the more meaningful because there was a time in Sam’s life when his parents questioned whether he would learn to walk or talk, much less run.
Sep. 16, 2020
Research and Innovation

Gillette Helps With New Treatments and Choices for SMA Patients

The U.S. Food Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) recent approval of a new oral medication to help treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is being hailed as a “game changer” by Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare neurologist, Randal Richardson, MD, MMS. “The main message I want to get out to people who have SMA and their families is—many of you now have options and the power to make a choice for yourself,” Richardson says.
Sep. 4, 2020
Research and Innovation

Together, We CAN Support Research at Gillette

There's a new level of excitement and commitment to conducting research at Gillette that could change and improve the lives of countless numbers of children everywhere, and donor support is pivotal in leading the charge. 
Aug. 31, 2020
Research and Innovation

Here’s Why Gillette is the Best at Providing Cerebral Palsy Care

For 123 years the doctors, nurses and employees at Gillette have worked every day to provide the very best care for all children. This dedication has led to treatments and outcomes that have influenced cerebral palsy care worldwide. 
Feb. 28, 2020
Research and Innovation

Virtual Reality Bolsters Clinical Care at Gillette

The hospital can be a scary place for anyone, especially a child, and no matter how nice the staff is or how thoughtfully the clinical spaces are designed, it’s usually difficult for a patient to forget they’re in one. At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, that’s no longer the case.
Jul. 17, 2019
Research and Innovation

Gillette Foundation Lands Generous Grant That Will Help Expand Our Spine Program

The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation awarded Gillette a generous grant to help expand Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare’s spine program. This is the largest grant we’ve ever received.
Dec. 19, 2018
Research and Innovation
Annika smiling in clinic

Newborn Screenings for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Treatment Brings Hope

All babies born in Minnesota are now being screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) unless their parents opt out of the newborn screening, the Minnesota Department of Health recently announced. SMA is the leading genetic cause of early childhood death in the United States.
Mar. 6, 2018
Research and Innovation
Gillette patient Kaidyn with therapy dog at Gillette.

Help Fund Animal-Assisted Therapy at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

“I don’t think it would surprise anyone to learn that a lot of children love dogs,” says Emily DeBreto. “While we’ve had volunteers bring in therapeutic dogs at the hospital for comfort, we wanted to get our dogs more involved with the actual functional aspects of the therapy we’re providing.”
Nov. 16, 2017
Research and Innovation

Family Devoted to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Research

Anna Hendricksen held her breath and spent hours in suspended hope as pediatric neurologist Randal Richardson, MD, and his team assessed her daughter, Annika, to determine if she met the criteria to participate in the clinical trial for Spinraza ™, also called nusinersen, a drug to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Aug. 14, 2017
Research and Innovation

International Research Collaboration Between Hospitals Helps Treat Children Who Have Chronic Pain

Pain affects all aspects of life, but for many of us, it’s an abstract concept. But, for a moment, imagine what it would feel like to experience chronic pain for an entire month. Start with that, but now expand it out to a year—or maybe even, every day of your life.
Aug. 9, 2017
Research and Innovation
Randal Richardson, MD, prepares to inject Spinraza into a patient.

Gillette Part of a Big Breakthrough to Treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is playing a key role in the clinical trials and research into the drug Spinraza, also called nusinersen.The drug is being celebrated as the first real hope for people who have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Aug. 1, 2017
Research and Innovation
Gillette patient getting fitted with pink brace.

Facebook LIVE in the Orthotics, Prosthetics and Seating

Many children and teens who have disabilities require orthotics, prosthetics and seating services to help manage their conditions. Bradley Fisher, manager in the Orthotics, Prosthetics and Seating Department at Gillette explains the process for creating orthotics, prosthetics and seating devices such as braces, limbs and CranioCaps during a Facebook LIVE tour.
Apr. 28, 2017
Research and Innovation

Rett Study Holds Promise for Girls Like Kira

A Phase II study (NNZ-2566) of a drug called Trofinetide has potential to minimize the symptoms of Rett syndrome. Learn more and meet one family who is dedicated to moving Rett syndrome research forward.
Mar. 29, 2017
Research and Innovation
Surgery simulation lab at Gillette

Meet HAL, the Hyper-real Medical Training Robot and the Man Who Controls Him

Meet HAL. He has a pulse; he breathes, blinks, and speaks numerous languages. If need be, he bleeds. This will likely be one of the stranger things you read today.
Mar. 13, 2017
Research and Innovation

Back to School Sleep Opens Eyes on Facebook

Gillette recently hosted a Facebook Live video Q&A featuring John Garcia, MD, sleep medicine specialist, about back-to-school sleep issues. Learn more and watch the discussion.
Sep. 15, 2016
Research and Innovation

Acupuncture May Yield Pain Relief for Kids Who Have Chronic Pain

A significant portion of children who have chronic care conditions – many of whom are already on numerous medications – might benefit from the low-risk and non-toxic benefits of acupuncture.
Aug. 29, 2016
Research and Innovation

Blending Art and Science to Treat Plagiocephaly

Amanda Morcomb’s twins, Teagan and Orion, were diagnosed with plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, at 5 months old. Learn how the Gillette CranioCap® orthosis helped successfully round the babies’ heads—and why 3D printing means babies can begin wearing their helmets sooner.
Jul. 5, 2016
Research and Innovation
Gillette patient Dalton with nurses

Family-Centered Rounding Improves Communication, Care

Learn how a nurse-led initiative called family-centered rounding is improving communication between providers, nurses and families.
May. 12, 2016
Research and Innovation

Nurse-Led Innovations Improve Patient Safety and Satisfaction

As we continue celebrating Nurses Week 2016, here's a look at how Gillette nurses are finding new ways to help families understand and manage their children's medications, both inside and outside the hospital.
May. 9, 2016
Research and Innovation

Volunteer Ambassadors: Using “The Force” of Empathy to Improve the Patient Experience

“When I was a kid in the hospital, the nurses and registration staff remembered my name when I’d do my check-ups, and that always made me feel welcome. It’s incredible to think that now I’m on the other side of the desk recognizing families by name…it’s come full circle.” –Ed Jenkins
Apr. 11, 2016
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    • Trust Your Instincts: A Craniosynostosis Journey
    • Safe Winter Fun During COVID-19
    • From Scared to Prepared: Child Life Specialists Make a Difference at Gillette
    • A Conversation with Peter Kim, MD
    • Two Gillette Doctors Release a Book to Help Shape Cerebral Palsy Treatment and Research
    • No Helmet, No Slide: Wear a Helmet While Sledding, Because Your Brain Matters
    • What the COVID-19 Vaccine Means to You and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
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