COVID Vaccine, COVID19, Infectious Disease, News, Research

Norton Children’s Research Institute to participate in COVID-19 investigational vaccine clinical trial for children ages 6 months to 4 years

The Norton Children’s Research Institute will participate in a phase 2/3 clinical trial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 investigational vaccine for healthy children ages 6 months to 4 years. The study will evaluate safety, tolerability and immune response in this age group. It is the only site in Louisville offering the trial and among 100 participating…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Muscular Dystrophy, Neurosciences

An inquisitive mind staying on top of rapidly developing neurology treatments for kids

Staying at the forefront of new developments that can help children with epilepsy, headaches and other conditions affecting the brain, nervous system, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles comes naturally to Amanda Rogers, M.D., a child neurologist and director of pediatric neuromuscular disorders with Norton Children’s Neurology. Dr. Rogers’ love of taking care of children and…

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Neurosciences, Patient Stories, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

New gene therapy treatments offer relief and hope for family with two children with SMA

Alex and Aaron Haas had heard of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — a former neighbor of Aaron’s had a grandchild who died from it — but didn’t know much about it when 3-month-old Riley seemed less active than a family friend’s baby of the same age. A small knot in the back of Riley’s neck…

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Autism, Employee stories - Norton Childrens

Personal autism experience helps physician connect with his patients

For the past 25 years, Gregory N. Barnes, M.D., PhD. has worked with thousands of families to help diagnose, adapt to and overcome autism. Autism is personal to Dr. Barnes, whose son, Joshua, was diagnosed with the condition as a young child. It was clear to Dr. Barnes, a pediatric neurologist with the Norton Children’s…

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Patient Stories, Pulmonology, Research

Child with SMARD1 thriving with 5-in-1 home ventilator

The day before Thanksgiving 2018, the Howell family was traveling from Louisville to Frankfort to visit relatives. During the drive, 4-week-old Brooks started crying. It was the beginning of the family’s journey with the rare disease spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress, Type 1 (SMARD1). “It was a very different cry,” said Jessica Howell, Brooks’…

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Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Research, Spina Bifida, Spina Bifida

Spina bifida challenges suit spine surgeon with engineering background

Rolando M. Puno, M.D., spine specialist with the Norton Children’s Spina Bifida Clinic and Norton Leatherman Spine, likes solving difficult challenges. Patients from around the world have come to Dr. Puno for surgery and treatment of their complex spinal conditions. “It’s kind of my nature, I guess,” Dr. Puno said. “If I see an issue,…

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Pulmonology, Research

Teen receives newer cystic fibrosis treatment that improves lung function

Erica Kelley was living in Arizona in 2007 when her son, Samuel, was born. Sam received his newborn screening before leaving the hospital, as is required in most states in the U.S. The screening indicated that Sam needed further testing, which showed that Sam has cystic fibrosis (CF). He was 15 days old when he…

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Cancer, Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Heart, Hematology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology

Helping kids avoid and overcome infections after transplants

Victoria A. Statler, M.D., works hard to educate children undergoing transplants on ways to avoid potentially dangerous infections. She also treats them when they do get sick. Children receiving transplanted organs or bone marrow take medicines to help their bodies accept the transplant. The drugs work by suppressing the immune system, so transplant recipients are…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Fetal Care, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, NICU

For Tamina R.B. Singh, M.D., joy is watching NICU babies grow and thrive

Even when she’s delivering the most advanced care to the sickest babies, Tamina R.B. Singh, M.D., medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Norton Children’s Hospital, never loses sight of the family. She sees how powerless new parents can feel with a child in need of intensive care. “A big part of…

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Fetal Care, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, NICU, Patient Stories

Child thrives after retinopathy of prematurity and NICU stay

Lindsay Rogers and her husband, David, tried for 16 months to get pregnant, including three cycles of fertility medications. As she considered whether seeing a fertility specialist might be the next step, she became pregnant with their son, Liam, in March 2018. Lindsay describes the pregnancy up to 20 weeks as completely normal. After hitting…

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Cancer, Research

Norton Children’s cancer physician focused on finding new treatments for solid tumors in children

Natalie F. Slone, D.O., pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Norton Children’s Cancer Institute always knew she wanted to be a doctor. According to Dr. Slone, her mother said she talked about becoming a doctor from a very young age — and mom has a photo of her at 4 or 5 years old, asleep on top of…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Pulmonology

Helping kids with pulmonary conditions accomplish their goals

Scott G. Bickel, M.D., was drawn to pediatric pulmonology by the bonds he would be able to develop with children and their families. He sums up his work as helping kids with pulmonary conditions lead the best lives possible and accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves. “What motivates me is seeing kids play sports…

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