Flu, Norton Childrens Medical Group

Norton Children’s seeing an increase in RSV cases

Norton Children’s is seeing an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases. Several hundred cases were diagnosed in December alone. “We’re seeing a lot of RSV, and cases are continuing to go up. So emergency departments are very busy; pediatrician offices are very busy,” said Kristina A. Bryant, M.D., a pediatric infectious diseases physician with Norton Children’s…

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Norton Childrens Medical Group

Walking pneumonia increasing among young children nationwide

Walking pneumonia is on the rise in the United States, especially among young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s a trend being noticed at Norton Children’s Medical Group practices as well. “It is dramatically increased compared with past years,” said Amael A. Shalash, M.D., a pediatrician with Norton Children’s…

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Genetics, Heart, News, NICU, Patient Stories, Surgery

Toddler defies odds after being diagnosed with rare genetic disease

Everleigh Johns is a miracle baby. She has an extremely rare genetic condition, but it wasn’t an easy or clear path to reach her diagnosis. For months, her care team never stopped treating her symptoms while searching for answers — until a special genetic test would finally reveal the cause of Everleigh’s struggles. By the…

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Neurosciences, News, Patient Stories

Norton Children’s diagnoses rare brain malformation in Owensboro patient

The Priar family was enjoying a summer barbecue when they noticed something was wrong with their 2-year-old son, George. “We were at a pool party, and he started staring off, just kind of went blank, so we called 911,” said Larissa Priar, George’s mother. “George was taken to our local emergency department, and we learned…

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Heart, Kentucky Poison Control Center, News, Norton Childrens Medical Group

Side effects of energy drinks in kids and teens

Energy drinks, sports drinks and other beverages with high amounts of caffeine and added sugar can make kids and adults, sleepless, jittery and anxious. Increased heart rate and high blood pressure are other risks of highly caffeinated energy drinks. In children and teens, the child and parent may not be aware of all that’s in…

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Defibrillator and Pacemaker, Heart, News, Patient Stories

Saved by the first tiny pacemaker, Heavenleigh finds her forever home

Anyone who’s met Heavenleigh falls in love with her grin. It’s been winning people over since she was an infant. Heavenleigh has an even bigger reason to smile these days. Almost three years after receiving the first specially-designed, tiny pacemaker for a premature infant, she is now officially adopted by the family who raised her….

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Cancer, News

Music therapy hits the right note with patients at Norton Children’s Hospital

Hospital halls are filled with sounds of beeping monitors, rolling carts and constant footsteps — a cacophony that can be anxiety-inducing for kids and their families as they face a difficult time. On the seventh floor at Norton Children’s Hospital, one man works to change that tune, helping patients create new melodies of their own….

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Heart, News, Patient Stories

With a new heart, local teen sets sights on becoming a firefighter

Public service is in Gavin Ford’s blood. Gavin idolizes his grandfather, a deputy fire chief, and grew up hanging around a fire station in the Pleasure Ridge Park area of Louisville. His father is a local police officer. Gavin, 16, wants to follow in their footsteps. “I want to be a firefighter and arson investigator,”…

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News, NICU

Music therapy helps mother-son duo through 100-day NICU stay.

Every Tuesday morning, the sweet sound of music takes over on the Norton Healthcare St. Matthews campus. Inside the Marshall Women’s Health & Education Center, a group of parents and infants are sitting in a circle. A music therapist strums the guitar, while the group sings along. The babies move their bodies to the beat….

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News, Orthopedics

Fall from tree leads to emergency arm surgery

A daredevil tree climb resulted in Magnus Noe taking a trip to Norton Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery. Magnus, 8, and his family are from Louisville but now live near St. Augustine, Florida. They came back to Louisville for a week to escape Hurricane Milton. While at a friend’s house, Magnus decided to climb a…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Gastroenterology, News

Norton Children’s names new pediatric gastroenterology chief

Norton Children’s has named a new physician to lead its gastroenterology team. James P. Franciosi, M.D., will serve as chief of Norton Children’s Gastroenterology and division chief of the University of Louisville School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. In these roles, Dr. Franciosi will lead Norton Children’s team of physicians…

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Behavioral-Mental Health, Cancer, Endocrinology, Neurosciences, News, Norton Childrens Hospital, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Urology

Norton Children’s nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Norton Children’s has been named in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2024-2025 rankings. In addition to being named the top children’s hospital in Kentucky, Norton Children’s was nationally ranked in seven specialties. “We’re honored to be the No. 1 children’s hospital in Kentucky and home to some of the nation’s best specialties…

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