Heart, Patient Stories

A new heart for Lorenzo: A story of hope and love

Complex diagnosis and delivery The diagnosis was hypoplastic left heart syndrome with mitral stenosis and aortic atresia, a severe congenital heart condition in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped. Lorenzo’s very small left ventricle could not function properly; the mitral valve was narrowed, and the aortic valve was completely blocked. With…

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Nephrology, Patient Stories

What seemed like a stubborn strep infection was kidney failure — at age 7

When Isabelle Black started running fevers after her 7th birthday, the explanation seemed simple: Strep throat was going around. She tested positive and took antibiotics. The fever went away — only to return again and again over the next few months. After four rounds of antibiotics, Isabelle started losing weight and didn’t have much of…

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Orthopedics

Clubfoot journey: Cory’s steps forward inspire

When DeLanna and Ryne Williams of Bowling Green, Kentucky, were expecting their second child and went for a 20-week anatomy scan, concerns from the scan led to additional imaging. Soon after, they learned that their baby, Cory, had a medical condition that could be identified before birth. Early diagnosis They were referred to Norton Children’s…

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Heart

Norton Children’s Heart Institute welcomes Felix W. Tsai, M.D., pediatric heart surgeon: ‘It’s about the families’:

Norton Children’s Heart Institute is proud to welcome Felix W. Tsai, M.D., as our newest pediatric heart surgeon. This milestone marks a meaningful step forward for families across Kentucky and the surrounding region. With Dr. Tsai’s arrival, our program now includes three dedicated pediatric heart surgeons, which is a significant expansion of our surgical team….

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News, Spine

Children’s spine care just got a trusted new champion

Families across Kentucky and Southern Indiana now have a new place to turn for specialized pediatric spine care. Norton Children’s and Norton Leatherman Spine have combined their expertise to create something remarkable: Norton Children’s Leatherman Spine — a dedicated practice built exclusively to serve children facing spine disorders. With two convenient Louisville locations (downtown on…

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Heart, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, News

Lainey’s story of prenatal health issues discovered and her path to healing

When Madeline and Jonathan Brennan of Bowling Green, Kentucky, were expecting their third daughter, they had no idea how different this pregnancy would be from their first two. At 12 weeks, a routine blood test revealed an atypical finding on chromosome 21, an early indication that their baby, Lainey, might have Down syndrome. The results…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Kentucky’s child abuse rate is fifth highest in the country

Kentucky’s child abuse rate is one of the highest in the U.S., according to the latest national report, with the commonwealth now nearly doubling the national child abuse rate. The “Child Maltreatment 2024” report, released this year by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children’s Bureau, found the rate of child maltreatment victims…

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Neurosciences, Spina Bifida

On Day 2 of Life, a 7-Hour Spine Surgery Gave Lucinda a Chance at Life

When 1-year-old Lucinda Owens claps her hands, waves hello, and sits up to play with her books, her parents see a miracle. The toddler from Jeffersonville, Indiana, who was born with the most severe form of spina bifida, is now reaching milestones once thought impossible, thanks to a groundbreaking surgery and multidisciplinary care at Norton…

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Heart, Patient Stories

A nurse’s son needs a heart transplant: Their story is a reminder of why compassionate care matters

Dane was born fighting. At just 1 week old, he underwent complex open heart surgery. And now, at just 6 months old, he and his family are facing their greatest challenge: waiting for a heart transplant. On March 13, 2026, Dane officially was listed for a heart transplant at Status 1A, the highest priority level….

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Cancer, Leukemia, Patient Stories

Elaina rings the bell

There once was a girl named Elaina who had just turned 3 and was getting ready for big-girl school. She was nervous, but excited. Her mom noticed she was starting to walk on her tiptoes, but she thought it was just anxiety. She was also very pale, even though she called herself an “outy-outy girl”…

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Cancer, Patient Stories

After beating childhood cancer, former patient inspired to ‘give back’ and become a nurse

​“I always remember running through the hallways. My mom would say she would always stand behind me with an IV pole because I was on 10 all the time.” – Sydney Wilson, patient care associate, Norton Children’s Hospital, and previous Norton Children’s patient treated for childhood cancer​​ Some of Sydney Wilson’s earlies​t memories take place…

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Heart, Open Heart Surgery, Patient Stories

Newborn survives undiagnosed transposition of the great arteries with care team that didn’t give up

Ashlie Paulin and her family were expecting a joyful Christmas in Louisville when her son Booker was born on Dec. 23, 2021. Instead, they had to hope for a Christmas miracle that their baby boy would survive. Doctors discovered baby Booker had a serious heart condition that went undetected during Ashlie’s pregnancy. Suddenly, it was…

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