MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach

Our tiniest patients have been cheering on Team USA during this year’s Olympic games! Here’s to many gold-medal moments ahead for our NICU patients. #memorialcare #millerchildrens #olympics #olympicgames #olympics2024 #NICUstrong #NICU #NICUbaby #NICUmom #NICUwarrior

Former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients were invited to our annual reunion to reconnect with their care teams this past weekend. For many of these patients, these reunions mark a major milestone in their journey, sharing with the care teams how much they have progressed since they left the NICU. We saw many familiar faces including Marz, who was born at 21 weeks and 6 days, weighing only 1lb. 1 oz. Marz is now 1-year-old, 25 lbs. and is 33 inches long. She loves listening and dancing to music, reading books, and watching her favorite tv shows. Thank you to all who made this event possible.

While an adult’s immune system is experienced at fighting off common diseases, a child’s immune system is still developing, putting them at an increased risk of contracting common and preventable diseases. To protect your child from getting sick during the school year, make sure your child receives their immunizations as soon as possible. Dr. Graham Tse, chief medical officer, shares what you need to know about vaccinations. https://lnkd.in/gYVFN_Mu

Yajaira underwent an emergency c-section at 35 weeks and gave birth to her fourth child, James. Immediately, James was taken to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for observation and testing. He was diagnosed with Aplasia Cutis Congenita (ACC), a congenital skin defect in which he had an absence of skin on his scalp at the time of birth. James ended up needing multiple surgeries, starting at just 8-weeks-old, to repair the skin on his scalp and skull, which hadn’t finished forming due to his premature birth. In addition, he had 26 sessions of hyperbaric chamber therapy. He spent 4 months with us before he was finally able to go home. “We had our ups and downs but through it all, we were very grateful for the amazing staff and now friends, who supported us through this journey with James,” said his mom, Yajaira. “Their positive attitudes got us through each day. I have had all of my children here and even after a hard pregnancy, delivery, and caring for James in the NICU, I knew this was where I would deliver my next child. They saved my life as well as provided James with wonderful care.” Now a healthy 6-year-old, James recently had the opportunity to be an Honorary Bat Kid at the Angels Game. Photo Credit: Los Angeles Angels

Current and former cancer and blood disorder patients and their families participated in our annual Champions Run for Life "Torch Run" fundraising event this morning. This Olympic-style relay race was filled with uplifting moments as patients carried a torch – a symbol of hope for a cure – while they walked, ran, wheeled, or were carried through a one-eighth-mile celebratory lap.

A special thank you to all of the friends, volunteers, sponsors, and celebrities who came out to cheer on our patients and raise funds for our Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute.

Torch Run is one of our largest fundraising events and supports a range of patient programs and services at the Institute, including an Art Therapy Program, Psychology Program, Survivorship Care Program and so much more.

We had a blast at our annual Beach Day! Our #childlifespecialists host this fun event to bring the joy of summer and sun to patients in the hospital!

We are excited to introduce our new Canine Companions facility dog, Karat! Karat will be working full-time alongside Zeta as the newest member of the Pediatric Rehabilitation team. Together, our facility dogs and their handlers join patients during their physical, speech or occupational therapies to encourage a more positive and unique therapy session. Karat loves squeaky balls, playing fetch, and comforting patients. Karat and Zeta have already become best pals and are enjoying their training sessions and playtime together.

Growing pains are one of the most common childhood musculoskeletal conditions, causing countless visits to health care professionals. Although they are referred to as “growing pains,” there is no actual evidence to show that growing is painful. Dr. Emory Chang, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, shares what you need to know. https://lnkd.in/gTGNe7Kj

When she was just 10-years-old, Vanessa Sher’s world was turned upside down when she received her diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling of the tissues in the digestive tract. Twenty years ago, her mother sought out Dr. Barry Steinmetz, a highly respected pediatric gastroenterologist who is now the medical director of our Gastroenterology & Nutrition Center. Under Dr. Steinmetz's care, Vanessa underwent various treatments, medications and infusions. Despite the physical challenges and side effects she endured, Vanessa's determination to overcome her illness remained unwavering. During her college years, Vanessa became more vocal about her illness, leading her to advocate for herself and others in the Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis community. Today, she serves as the Senior Manager of Fundraising Campaigns & Volunteer Engagement for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Greater Los Angeles - Orange County Chapter. Learn more about Vanessa’s journey at https://lnkd.in/g33AjbcM

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Douglas Fraser for being named medical director of the Trauma Center at MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Dr. Fraser is a fellowship-trained, board-certified trauma surgeon and will provide clinical oversight of the trauma teams, contribute to the development of trauma program initiatives, resident and staff education, and trauma research, and foster collaborative relationships with hospital departments to support quality trauma care. “I am honored to come back home to Southern California and ensure we bring the best in pediatric and adult trauma services to the community we serve,” said Dr. Fraser. “I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for trauma care to this role and working with the talented team here to provide the highest level of care to our patients.” https://lnkd.in/g9GxcA-F