Patient Stories

‘Nothing holds him back’: Child born with 2 very rare conditions gets life-saving care

17 surgeries later, 6-year-old Shine runs on prosthetic legs and Paralympic dreams.

Local girl’s cardiac care both life-saving and life-changing

Diagnosed with aortopulmonary window and supravalvular aortic stenosis, local girl gives new meaning to ‘big hearted.’

Surgeons use collarbone to create new upper arm for young cancer patient

Exceptionally rare procedure helps 9-year-old avoid amputation after she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

Image of the retrievable leadless pacemaker

Heart and Vascular

UC Davis doctor first in the world to implant a retrievable leadless pacemaker in a child

“It’s amazing how small the device is. It’s like the size of one AA battery,” said Heather Hayes, whose son Matias was the first to have the procedure done.

Local teen walks again after tubing accident, thanks to UC Davis Children’s Hospital

Julia was a talented gymnast. She had just taken first place at a regional competition and her future looked bright. On a day out with friends, that future changed dramatically when she had a water tubing accident.

Surgery

Local fetal and cardiac surgery team saves Folsom baby with heart defect

When a routine ultrasound at 20 weeks revealed a potential heart defect in their developing baby, Stephanie and Travis Dover of Folsom were caught off guard.

Cancer Care

Mom’s ‘gut feeling’ leads to daughter’s cancer diagnosis, treatment at UC Davis

Peyton, a sassy, spirited girl who had endless energy was just not herself, so her mom took the then 3-year-old into the local urgent care clinic near their home and insisted on a blood test.

Father, daughter treated for diabetes by same UC Davis team

Not only does Elena have her dad to help her through her new diagnosis, she has the same care team helping to manage her diabetes.

Cancer Care

Isaac’s story: A boy with leukemia and his family’s drive to save his life

Our pediatric oncologists helped Isaac replace chemotherapy and bed rest with the freedom to be a kid again.

Pediatric pulmonology patient De’Jaye and doctor Nandalike

We love to hear from families after their child’s care experience

After De’Jaye’s diagnosis of narcolepsy with cataplexy, Dr. Nandalike has advocated for my daughter and educated us as a family. We thank her for bringing so much light to our dark situation.

Surgery

Jaelyn’s story: A road to recovery

After a serious car accident, UC Davis Children’s Hospital enveloped both my daughter and I in kindness, care and community. We felt as though we were part of a team, and everyone was invested in Jaelyn’s recovery.

Football player receives a cheerful surprise and world-class care after game injury

Julian broke his arm in the fourth quarter after completing a tackle, and was admitted to UC Davis Children’s Hospital for surgery.

Theodore’s story

Theodore first visited UC Davis in February 2019. Even though we never want to be back in a hospital, we love everything about UC Davis. He is now an energetic boy that loves to play, talk and go to school!

Boy makes excellent recovery after ruptured brain aneurysm

James has continued to make great strides, relearning to ride a bike and taking piano lessons. He has gone back to the rock-climbing gym, a pastime he enjoyed before his world changed so drastically.

Infant’s RSV exposes life-threatening heart defect

Pediatric nurse expresses gratitude after his co-workers save his daughter’s life.

Odette and her family celebrating her birthday

Maternity

One-in-a-million pregnancy brings woman to UC Davis Health

Her newborn son died of a rare disorder. Brianna Thompson was going to do everything she could to save her next child.

Joshuah-Sanchez in his high school cap and gown

Surgery

Defying the odds: Recovery of a teenage stroke survivor

17-year-old boy receives life-saving neurological care at UC Davis Medical Center.

Fresno teenager was a picture of health and never dreamed he would have a heart attack

His first symptom was repeated vomiting. He thought it was something he had eaten at his football banquet dinner earlier that evening. But when he started having trouble breathing, his grandma called 911.

Clinic helps 10-year-old with inflammatory bowel disease get back to being a kid

Adam Olson had always been a funny, active kid. But when his mom noticed he had low energy and lost his sense of humor, she turned to the experts at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Heart and Vascular

Cardiac procedure saves child with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

“Dr. Frank Ing took one look at Zyllah and said that she had SVC syndrome. Right off the bat he knew it and he knew what to do to treat it. We were so relieved.”

Heart and Vascular

Happy homecoming for local baby after high-risk heart procedures

JJ Gomez-Flores’ heart defect meant a long, scary road ahead. But he and his family would not be alone on the ride.

Darren and his UC Davis Children’s Hospital team – R. Lor Randall, Raminta Theriault and Judas Kelley (left to right) – celebrate after surgery.

Cancer Care

Michigan boy’s life and limb saved by UC Davis care team

Osteosarcoma meant 11-year-old Darren would likely lose his leg. But his family sought hope and another opinion.

Staff shout-out to exceptional leader Dean Blumberg

Dr. Blumberg is kind and understanding with a great attitude and goes above and beyond to be helpful. He is a real tribute to UC Davis Health.

We love to hear from families after their child’s care experience

Thanks to UC Davis Children’s Hospital Alaina has improved so much since her hospital stay. View her new photos to see how much she’s accomplished.

Jenna’s story

Born with a cleft lip and palate, Jenna’s relied on the expertise of our Cleft & Craniofacial Reconstruction team. Because of her care experiences, she’s become an advocate for craniofacial patients around the world.

Heart and Vascular

Baby with congenital heart disease finds winning care team

Lodi infant with Tetralogy of Fallot needed multiple heart surgeries.

Maternity

Kashton’s story

How a mother’s care flight to UC Davis Medical Center and access to a nationally ranked level IV NICU welcomed baby Kashton into the world.

Heart and Vascular

Innovative procedure buys time for newborn who needs heart surgery

Carter Vincent is living proof that a unique approach by doctors at UC Davis Children’s Hospital could successfully stave off major cardiac surgery just days after his birth.

Surgery

Child gets lifesaving care after ruptured appendix

He was sicker than ever, and doctors couldn’t figure out what the problem was, his parents decided to transfer Seth to UC Davis Children’s Hospital where a pediatric care team immediately went to work on his healing.

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