Prevention & Wellness

Most car seats for kids with special needs not used correctly

When I was in third grade my youngest sister, Abbey, was born. I vividly remember the day. She was born a month early and had severe brain damage. The months she was originally expected to survive turned into years. We learned to live with the true definition of the unknown until she became our guardian…

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Legs and Lower Extremities, Orthopedics, Patient Stories

Heel pain and Sever’s disease can be a part of growing up

My 8-year-old daughter, Kate, is a runner and enjoys competing in cross country and track. Last fall she started complaining that her heel hurt. There were no obvious signs of an issue other than the pain. Not wanting to be an alarmist parent, I brushed it off and encouraged her to stretch well. I also…

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Cancer, Clip for Kids, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories

7-year-old’s snack stand raises more than $1,000 for children fighting cancer

Seven-year-old Bradley Roberts has a heart of gold and a gargantuan goal. “I’m going to raise $2 million to help kids at Norton Children’s Hospital,” Bradley said. He considers it a perfectly attainable goal, and we wouldn’t dare underestimate him. In just one day he raised $1,500. “We have 20, 30, 40, no — 150…

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Allergy and Immunology, Health & Wellness, Norton Community Medical Associates, Prevention & Wellness

Asthma leads to thousands of ER visits

Spring has sprung and so have the allergies, especially here in the Ohio Valley. However, what you think might be seasonal allergies could be asthma. “Asthma is a real problem in Kentucky,” said Nikki Boyd, Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness. “In fact, asthma is one of the leading causes of trips to our emergency departments.”…

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Heart, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Pulmonology, Ventricular Septal Defect

Cystic fibrosis, then another surprise in first pregnancy journey

Our journey to parenthood started with joy, excitement, a bit of surprise and a whole bundle of nerves. Is anyone ever really ready to be a parent — to see those eight letters, “pregnant” — on a pregnancy test stick? I made my first appointment with Norton OB/GYN Associates, and it felt like time crept…

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Orthopedics, Teens

A kid-sized triathlon is a challenge, but not too much

The idea of a children’s triathlon may sound grueling, but these kid-sized events aren’t nearly the intense run-bike-swim workouts adults go through. In the COOL Kids Triathlon on June 9, there will be three age groups: 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 14. The running portions range from 1 kilometer (about two-thirds…

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Cancer, Clip for Kids

Shave, clip or trim for kids with cancer at Norton Children’s Cancer Institute [video]

For kids fighting cancer, losing their hair is just one part of their journey. Now you can join the fight, too. Chili’s® Clip for Kids challenges you to raise funds in return for clipping, trimming or shaving your hair in solidarity with kids fighting cancer in our community. All the money raised benefits Norton Children’s…

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Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness, Teens

Vaccinations save lives; National Infant Immunization Week highlights the need

April 21 to 28 is National Infant Immunization Week, an annual observance promoting the benefits of vaccinations for children from birth to 2 years old. With that recognition also reignites the debate over the importance of vaccinations. Becky S. Carothers, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Broadway, said vaccinations are crucial for everyone….

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Cancer, Newsjacking, Prevention & Wellness

Thunder over Louisville 2018: 6 tips to having a good time

To make the most of your family’s time at Thunder over Louisville 2018 on Saturday, here are some tips for staying healthy and safe: Save your skin. The weather is going to be sunny and warm, so be sure to pack the sunscreen. In addition to protecting against sunburn, a sun protection factor (SPF) of…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Norton Childrens Hospital

Paralympic athlete turned med/surg nurse shares personal journey with patients

When you see Brenda Jensen, R.N., caring for patients at Norton Children’s Hospital, you won’t notice anything out of the ordinary. But Bren, a nurse on the medical/surgical unit, has a powerful story of personal tragedy and triumph that she shares with her patients. Flashback to April 17, 1991. Bren, then 5 years old, was…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Child abuse is 100 percent preventable — you have the tools to end it

Don’t think your baby can be a victim of abuse? Think again. Kentucky and Indiana have some of the highest rates of child physical abuse and neglect in the country — more than 40,000 kids a year. Families of all races, backgrounds and economic statuses feel the catastrophic effects of child abuse. We all can…

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Back to School, Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Norton Childrens Hospital

Meet a social worker: Susan Leet

When Susan Leet decided to pursue a midlife career change, she knew she wanted to be a helper. She comes from a long line of helpers — her grandfather was a minister. Her father was a dentist who traveled to 30-plus countries as a medical missionary at his own expense for 40 years, eventually retiring…

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