At Stony Brook Children's Hospital, every patient's journey is a testament to the comprehensive and compassionate care that our team provides. These stories showcase the incredible strength of our young patients and the dedication of the healthcare professionals who support them. Explore these inspiring accounts to see how we strive to make a difference in the lives of children and their families every day.
Tough Spine. Tougher Spirit.
When Alice Sparks was diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age, her family turned to the specialists at Stony Brook Children’s for answers. Through expert care, innovative treatment, and a commitment to her future growth and mobility, Alice became the first patient on Long Island to undergo Vertebral Body Tethering, opening a new chapter in her journey.
Born at home at just 22 weeks and weighing 1.6 pounds, Kareem became the youngest preemie ever cared for at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. His mother and neonatologist share his remarkable journey to becoming a thriving 9-year-old.
When baby Eric was born with a rare birth defect called EA/TEF—where the esophagus doesn’t connect properly and forms an abnormal link to the windpipe—he needed urgent, specialized care. Thanks to the swift action of the pediatric surgery and NICU teams at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Eric’s life was saved. Today, he’s a thriving 2-year-old.
Pamela Shanley’s pregnancy seemed normal — until a sudden diagnosis of preeclampsia at 28 weeks changed everything. She would go on to deliver three children — one son and later, a set of twins — all requiring specialized care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
What began as a stomach ache turned into a life-threatening emergency. In this moving video, the Fritz family shares how Stony Brook Children's Hospital cared for Jacqui and her unborn son after a diagnosis of HELLP syndrome — a rare, dangerous pregnancy complication. Today, her son Hunter is thriving and has a passion for ice hockey.
Meet Roger Gentille, a brave young patient born with a life-threatening birth defect called congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In this video, his family recounts their emotional journey -- from diagnosis to recovery--and the expert care he received at the hands of pediatric surgeon Dr. Helen Hsieh.
One family’s harrowing experience with neodymium magnets reveals how dangerous they can be in the wrong hands. Parrizay Khan needed life-surgery to correct the complete obstruction of her digestive tract after swallowing these magnets.
Born under extraordinary circumstances, baby Jordan faced enormous medical challenges from the start. His mother, Jennifer, was diagnosed with placenta previa, a high-risk condition that required close monitoring. When Jordan arrived prematurely, he was found to have a rare genetic disorder—propionic acidemia—as well as a serious brain bleed.
Jake was born premature with 23 intestinal blockages unable to even tolerate a teaspoon of milk. During his four months in the NICU, his mother became an integral part of his treatment team.
Premature twins Keegan and Quinlan R spent six weeks in the NICU receiving round-the-clock care. By the end of their stay, their parents viewed the Stony Brook team as “family.”
Anna and Greg Quigley were looking forward to growing their family and giving their four-year-old son, Jaxon, a sibling. But when Anna, a special education teacher, went in for a routine 10-week sonogram, the exam revealed she was pregnant with triplets. Now, at 10 weeks old, triplets, Cole, Kyle and Christina, are doing beautifully.
They were supposed to move into their new apartment, and then the scheduled induction would happen the next day. They would have everything in order, and just like their check-ups showed, the baby would be healthy, and their new home would be ready to welcome their first child.
Connected by Heart: Three years after a complicated pregnancy, with a diagnosis of ventricular septal defect (VSD) and trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Rafaela and her mother Carla are stronger than ever because Dr. Kathleen Walsh-Spoonhower and a team of specialists at Stony Brook have been by their side every step of the way.
Just before her senior year, 17-year-old Lauren developed brain cancer. She credits a “fabulous and supportive team” at Stony Brook Children’s for getting her through five months of intense treatment.
Meet Dr. Grace Ker, a palliative care specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, along with two of her remarkable patients. Palliative care isn't end-of-life care. It's specialized care that's focused on improving quality of life. By easing symptoms, reducing stress and providing compassionate support, this care helps families facing serious illness find comfort and strength, even in tough times.
