Meet Patients and Providers

Art is a key part of Zoe’s cancer treatment, bringing both joy and distraction. When the pandemic hit, she was devastated to lose her regular art therapy sessions, says mom Brigitte. Telehealth enabled Zoe to continue from home. “The gift of technology put that pep back in her step,” Brigitte says.

Rowan is a third grader who, before the COVID-19 pandemic, loved to eat school lunches on Taco Tuesdays and Pizza Fridays. School lunch was a big deal. Until the fall of 2019, Rowan had to eat a packed lunch every day because her celiac disease requires a gluten-free diet.

Dr. Elizabeth Wells is tackling one of neuroscience’s biggest challenges: immune disorders that attack the brain or central nervous system. The Neuro-Immunology Program at Children’s National Hospital advances diagnostics, care and research for kids facing these complex conditions.

The community’s voice is vital to successfully address the deepening mental health crisis that’s gripping America. Dr. Lee Beers is working alongside families, colleagues and partners to bring high-quality mental health care to a place kids know and trust: their doctor’s office.

Dr. Vittorio Gallo leads a Children’s National Hospital research team that focuses on the newborn brain. It’s part of a larger multi-disciplinary team that uses science to improve the lives of children and families.

Isabel had a rare form of cancer. Compassionate care and support at Children's National made it possible for her to get back to the things she loves — including bike riding, singing and going to Kindergarten.

Jocelyn is an energetic second grader who loves lacrosse and Girl Scouts. She has a bright future, thanks to two lifesaving heart surgeries nearly eight years apart at Children’s National Hospital.

Dr. Leandra Godoy is passionate about the power of mental health care for young patients. She says early interventions can help children and families lead healthier, happier lives.

Maya Kidane had a dream in her heart as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. She wanted to become a pediatric nurse. The Conway Nursing Pathway Program — created through philanthropy — made that dream a reality.

Our Whole Bear Care Integrated Behavioral Health Team provides children and families with access to mental health care in a “just across the hall” kind of way during routine general pediatrician visits. Dr. Nikita Rodrigues says this means more kids get the care and support they need to solve their problems faster.

Sebby weighed only 15 ounces at birth. Care at Children’s National helped him grow up to be a kid who is healthy, strong and loves the playground.

For several years, Teddy’s epilepsy and severe seizures kept him from attending in-person school and hanging out at friends’ houses. Cutting-edge neurosurgery at Children’s National Hospital gave Teddy his life back and allowed him to achieve his biggest dream: getting his driver’s license.

Dr. Yves d’Udekem leads innovative work at the Children’s National Heart Institute to solve the puzzles related to complex congenital heart conditions. He imagines solutions, tests them and brings them to life to make sure that “every baby and every family has the best care in the world.”

When she was pregnant with Immanuel, Alisha joined a research study exploring the impact of stress, anxiety and depression on babies in utero. She contributed to science and improved her mental health, which helped her bond with her son after he was born.

Soon after Bella was born, doctors discovered a rare brain disorder that causes constant seizures. A pioneering procedure developed by Children’s National Hospital stopped her seizures. Today, Bella is a healthy preschooler.