Cancer, Hematology, Research

A 39-year career of discovery as kids with cancer and blood disorders were able to thrive

Thirty-nine years ago, Diane Burnett, APRN, wasn’t sure she was cut out to care for kids with cancer and blood disorders. Give it a year, she figured. “I didn’t know if I would be a good fit for that,” Diane said. As it turned out, she was, and Diane’s job became a passion. One year…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Norton Children’s receives $6 million from the state to combat child abuse

With Kentucky still outpacing the nation in instances of child abuse, state officials and Norton Children’s announced $6 million from the Kentucky General Assembly aimed at reducing the number of child deaths and injuries related to abuse. An additional $2 million has been committed to the initiative by the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation thanks to…

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Child Abuse Prevention

Is it child abuse? Understanding the myths vs. facts

The signs of child abuse and neglect are not always obvious, and thousands of children in Kentucky and Indiana fall victim each year. “Adults can help protect children by understanding and correcting common myths about child abuse,” said Kelly L. Dauk, M.D., chair of the Norton Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Task Force and pediatrician with…

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Norton Childrens Medical Group, Suicide

Suicide rates in children on the rise during COVID-19

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 (en español: (888) 628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1 (800) 273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. Concern is rising among mental health professionals, educators, hospital emergency personnel and parents about the correlation…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Recognizing child abuse during a pandemic

Typically, a drop in the number of calls to child protective services would be cause for great celebration and taken as a sign of less child abuse and neglect. Not this time. You see, we know that child abuse and neglect increase during times of economic downturn, financial stress/poverty, and social isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Heart

Helping kids with heart conditions and others do more with safe exercise

Pediatric cardiologist Delwyn E. McOmber, M.D., has advice for couch potatoes, athletes sidelined by COVID-19 and heart patients alike: Just get started. “Let’s get rid of the standard definition of exercise — the stuff you learn in PE. It doesn’t matter what you do. It’s just as simple as increasing your heart rate through physical…

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Diabetes, Endocrinology, Patient Stories

Three sisters diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and thriving

Many people spend family night having dinner or playing games, but for the Chrismans, family togetherness also involves glucose monitoring and changing insulin pumps. When their identical twin daughters, Quinby and Stella, were born, Natalie Chrisman and her husband, David, knew very little about Type 1 diabetes. There was no known family history of the disease….

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Heart, NICU, Patient Stories, Surgery

Rare condition quickly diagnosed and treated by neonatal and multidisciplinary care specialists

When Leacoln Bale got a thumbs-up on her 20-week prenatal scan, she and her husband, Jeremy, felt relief. The scans looked great, and they were thrilled about having another healthy baby girl. Like her two older sisters — Ellie, 6, and 3-year-old Nora — Ava was born at home with assistance from a midwife. But…

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Cancer, Research

Norton Children’s Cancer Institute offers clinical trials for kids with AML

It’s the news no parent wants to hear: acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer of the bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made — is rare but dangerous, affecting about 500 children in the U.S. every year. Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is…

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Pulmonology, Research

Are there certain foods that help asthma? Foods high in vitamin D and antioxidants might

Are there foods that help asthma? There are indications that foods laden with vitamin D, such as oily fish like salmon, egg yolks, and fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants may help asthma, but there’s a shortage of solid evidence. Obesity is a major risk factor for asthma, so eating well and maintaining a healthy…

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Blood and Marrow Transplant, Cancer, Hematology, News, Patient Stories

Haploidentical blood marrow transplant patient reaches milestones, celebrates turning 18

On Valentine’s Day, 2020, Angel Florian received a 6-foot-tall plush rose from her boyfriend. It was a substitute for the real flowers he wanted to give her but couldn’t because her weakened immune system made it too risky. It was a year earlier, just after her 17th birthday, that Angel received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic…

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Cancer, Patient Stories, Sarcoma

Teen’s ‘got this’ after bone cancer surgery

Jennifer Pascual, like most teens, has many interests. The 13-year-old, who lives in Southern Indiana, enjoys spending time with her large family. She loves animals and has many pets. She likes to draw and paint, play music and sing. “I’m learning to play the ukulele,” she said. “It’s really fun.” Unlike most teens, however, Jennifer…

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