Patient Stories

After a longboarding accident, a patient fights to regain all that was lost

Kyle was transported to the UC Davis Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where he spent 43 days fighting for survival.

Pediatric cancer diagnosis leads to panic, then relief for local family

Christina knew her toddler was ill and tried to get answers. But it wasn’t until she took her daughter to the UC Davis Pediatric Emergency Room that she would finally know for sure what was wrong – Emily had cancer.

Zoey’s story: Pediatric urologist named family’s hero after diagnosis of rare condition

“With help from Dr. Kurzrock and his team, Zoey has gained confidence. She’s even been able to help others who share her condition.” Now a teenager, she is a spirited girl who enjoys karate, swimming and diving.

Scarlett and her doctor Stephanie Crossen

“It is priceless for a mother to feel such confidence in the medical care that her child receives.”

UC Davis’ pediatric endocrinology team has helped 6-year-old Scarlett live a healthy life after she was born with a rare condition.

Frank Ing with baby Mateo and his parents.

Heart and Vascular

Game-changing heart surgery helps premature baby

Born at 25 weeks, Mateo was diagnosed with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome and transported to UC Davis Children’s Hospital where world-renowned pediatric cardiologist Frank Ing performed life-saving surgery.

Read Mateo’s full story

Heart and Vascular

Pediatric cardiologist performs life-saving surgery on baby with rare heart condition

The Carson family had no idea their daughter had a rare congenital heart defect until she was airlifted to UC Davis after her heart was compressing her windpipe.

Read Heidi’s full story

Cancer Care

Facility dog Daniels doles out affection and comfort to teen with brain cancer

We will forever hold Daniels dear in our hearts as her ‘only wonderful thing about this whole ordeal.’

“Having a baby in the NICU was the hardest thing we have had to endure.”

Learn how the Beads of Courage program helped a family get through their hardest days.

World-class pediatric care helps family after a complicated twin pregnancy

Born at 31 weeks, Miley and Sofia’s family are grateful for the phenomenal care and compassion they received at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Unique care and support for patient diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

From the diagnosis, to treatment options, to our daily living, Dr. McDonald and his team have helped us through it all!

Exceptional teamwork and care helps Jordyn recover during her hospital stay

Thanks to pediatric GI specialist Kelly Beth Haas and UC Davis Children’s Hospital nurses, Jordyn received top expertise after being admitted to Davis 7 and even won a Minecraft Lego set during Zoom Bingo.

Pediatric GI intestinal rehabilitation program has provided Everley with a bright future

The rehabilitation program really educated me and opened my eyes, but most importantly it was the amazing team behind it who made Everley’s story such a success.

Family moves to Sacramento for our experts’ supportive care

Born at 24 weeks, Mariela suffered from a brain hemorrhage, lung problems, issues with her bilirubin level and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Her family found life-saving care at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Forever grateful to the doctors and nurses that helped save Kaliah’s life

After being diagnosed with late on-set GBS sepsis meningitis, Kaliah’s ability to live a normal life was in the unknown. Thanks to UC Davis Health doctors, she is doing amazing and just celebrated her first birthday.

A homemade thank you card from Clark Kustin

We love to hear from our kids after their pediatric experiences

See a homemade thank you card we received from our patient Clark.

Surgery

UC Davis pediatric cardiology nurse specialists provide Liam top-notch care

Liam Hight was diagnosed with truncus arteriosus in utero and had open heart surgery at five days old.

Surgery

Successful open heart surgery leaves Zaydrian happy and healthy

World-class pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Gary Raff performed surgery on Zaydrian who was able to receive a mechanical heart valve at 1 month old.

Maternity

Staff shout-out to lactation consultant Jessica Hopp

With patience and compassion, Jessica helps a mother get through one of the hardest parts of her postpartum experience.

Surgery

A phenomenal team effort and life-changing care help spinal muscular atrophy patient and her family

Malena was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when she was 15 months old. Now as a teen, she is a vibrant high school student who has ambitions of attending Stanford University.

Read her story

NICU patient Chase is now 3-years-old and thriving

It’s been quite the journey so far and my husband and I will forever be grateful to all the UC Davis staff for their knowledge, attentiveness and compassion!

Surgery

Ivy’s miraculous recovery

Thanks to the UC Davis pediatric emergency team and countless prayers, Ivy’s parents have their little girl back.

Maternity

Another Fontan patient joins motherhood with healthy baby

With help from UC Davis Health, patient Karla Barrientos had baby Andrea.

World-class expertise helps teen make miraculous recovery

After being diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease, Ashley spent months at UC Davis Children’s Hospital where life-saving care, optimism, and genuine love got her back to her life and the people she loves.

Surgery

Thanks to the amazing care at UC Davis, Alana is now a thriving, independent and healthy little girl

After spending 119 days in the NICU, the Bender family could finally take their miracle baby home. Six years later, Alana is healthy, energetic, loves music, dancing and her family.

Maternity

Fontan patient fulfills her dreams of motherhood

Born with only one functional heart ventricle, Kayla Price always thought that having a baby wasn’t in the cards. But then she got her miracle.

Surgery

The specialists who gave a boy a heart for life

After being born with a rare heart defect, Damian overcame three open-heart surgeries with the help of pediatric specialists who provided life-saving care and support to him and his family.

Video

Surgery

Multiple heart surgeries set the stage for a promising future

Casey was born with a congenital heart defect and needed a series of surgeries to repair it. Now as a 16-year-old, he lives a normal teenage life as he pursues photography, engineering and a promising future.

Watch the video

Surgery

UC Davis and Shriners Children’s Hospital helps little girl recover after a car accident

See Claire’s journey and homecoming.

Healing local athletes

After suffering a sports injury, Julian and his family turned to his local pediatrician for help.

Give a shout-out to our caring team

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