Inspiring Patient Stories

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. 

Ella's Epilepsy Success Story

August 21, 2023 – Ella, diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy in sixth grade, underwent brain surgery. Now, she's seizure free and sharing her experience via her own TED talk. Inspired by the team at Nicklaus Children's, she aims to become a neuropsychologist.

Hope and Healing for Noah

August 15, 2023 – Soon after Noah's birth at 33 weeks, the tiny neonate was struggling with a persistent high bilirubin count. He underwent numerous tests at the hospital where he was born to try to determine the cause. High bilirubin is common among premature babies, yet standard treatments did not help Noah, suggesting an unusual diagnosis.

Happy News for Patrick

August 02, 2023 – Maria and her husband, Brian learned that their son Patrick had a gene/variant of unclear significance for a rare genetic disorder called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) which causes damage to nerve cells. What remained unknown was whether Patrick had the more serious form of the disorder – a condition that could end his life before he reached adulthood.

Sofia's Inspiring Journey with SMA

July 26, 2023 – Sofia was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, a genetic condition that affects the spinal cord’s ability to control the muscles, decreasing and limiting mobility. In Sofia’s 6 years of life, she has already overcome more medical challenges than most adults.

Patient of the Month: Ayan

July 25, 2023 – After noticing Ayan's arm was swelling, his mother Anca took him to the pediatrician for a biopsy. While results were pending, they took a trip to visit family abroad but on the return trip, Ayan experienced pain in both legs and a fever. Immediately after landing, Anca rushed her son to the nearest emergency room where he was then transferred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. An additional biopsy confirmed Ayan had an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive type of sarcoma. Thankfully, after more than a year of receiving chemotherapy, resection surgery and proton radiation, Ayan is now cancer free!

Santiago's Medulloblastoma Journey

July 17, 2023 – Santiago was only in kindergarten when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous tumor of the brain. His mother, Mehble, says their life was turned upside down when he suddenly came down with strong flu-like symptoms, high fevers, vomiting and nausea that would not go away. After 24 hours of hospitalization, they learned it was a brain tumor and needed emergency surgery to remove the mass in his brain.

A New Smile and Bright Tomorrow for Michelle

July 14, 2023 – Michelle’s journey started at  Nicklaus Children’s Hospital  before she was even born. We found out that Michelle was going to be born with a cleft lip and palate at my 20-week anatomy scan. The news was unexpected and was difficult to understand but I was assured that everything was going to be fine and that the pediatric craniofacial team at Nicklaus Children’s was one of the best.

Angelina's Success Story

June 13, 2023 – Angelina, an avid soccer player tore her ACL during a club game. Thankfully, the incredible expertise of Dr. Craig Spurdle, Orthopedic Surgeon and Chief of the Nicklaus Children's Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute at Nicklaus Children's Hospital completed a successful ACL repair surgery and on the road to scoring goals again. 

Patient of the Month: Nicole

May 31, 2023 – When Nicole complained of head pain her parents, Roberto and Tamara, took her to an urgent care. After the medicine provided didn't ease her pain she was brought to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Thankfully, a multidisciplinary team of specialists quickly understood what was at stake, Nicole was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and immediately began treatment to remove the mass.

Madison's Success Story

May 30, 2023 – Madison was born with a heart defect called truncus arteriosus. Despite having open-heart surgery at Nicklaus Children's when just 4 years old, she hasn't slow down one bit. From an early age she's enjoyed dancing, even competing. Now, she's in the race for the title of Miss Florida Teen USA!

Patient of the Month: Jaxon

April 24, 2023 – Jaxon was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, an irregular shape of the skull that was causing the brain to be squeezed, needing immediate corrective surgery. In addition, it was determined that he had a genetic disorder that would require ongoing care. Thankfully Jaxon's parents, Dara and Cliff, knew exactly where to find the best care for their child -- and seven years later they are celebrating his birthday this month.

Shawn's Journey with the Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT)

April 06, 2023 – The Pediatric Advanced Care team (PACT) and Shawn's mother share Shawn's journey of care.

Patient of the Month: Fabricio

March 31, 2023 –

Fabricio was born prematurely at 32 weeks and spent 21 days in the ICU at a hospital in Colombia. Almost a year later Fabricio's family learned that he had spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, but it wasn't until a pediatric orthopedic surgeon visited Cartagena, Colombia on a mission trip where she met Fabricio and knew that she and her team at Nicklaus Children's could help.

Patient of the Month: Kai

February 20, 2023 – Jackie and Rob received unfortunate news that their second baby, Kai, had been diagnosed with congenital heart defects. Surprisingly, Kai's mother Jackie had underwent heart surgery when she was as a young teenager as well. Not only did she receive treatment at Nicklaus Children's, then Miami Children's Hospital, but the same surgeon that had treated Jackie, Dr. Redmond Burke, would later be called upon alongside the entire team at The Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute to ensure Kai's successful open-heart surgery. 

Jacob's Success Story

February 09, 2023 – Before he was born, Jacob was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Overcoming multiple surgeries, he started experiencing seizures and even had a stroke. Now, with a combination of medications that helped him manage his seizures and keep his heart rate stable, Jacob is attending high school for students with special abilities and enjoys cooking and dancing.

Patient of the Month: Leo

January 29, 2023 –

Shortly after his third birthday, Flavia and Stalin began to notice significant bruising below the knees on their son, Leo. Their worries began growing after they realized that Leo was more tired than usual, presenting signs of difficulty breathing, and struggling to complete everyday activities.

Candido's Story

January 13, 2023 – Candido is a rambunctious 2-year-old boy who loves to play and run around. During a bad fall that required an emergency room visit and x-ray imaging his family learned that he was born with a rare bone defect called congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia or CPT.

Yuray's Heart Story

January 11, 2023 – Yuray Rodriguez was only 15 days old when he underwent heart surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to repair a condition known as Coaction of the Aorta, a narrowing of the aorta that can lead to heart failure and high blood pressure. Now in college, one would never know he was born with a serious heart defect, if it wasn’t for a scar that runs down his chest.

Patient of the Month: Kateryna

December 05, 2022 – After being diagnosed with a heart defect in her home country of Ukraine, Kateryna needed surgery for treatment and full recovery. Then, because of the war, her family fled while still seeking medical. Finally, the family was referred to Dr. Daniel Duarte, a pediatric interventional cardiologist at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.