30 Years of Caring for What Matters Most
For three decades, we’ve had the privilege of caring for children and supporting families through every step of their journey. From first visits to life-changing breakthroughs, our commitment has always been the same: care 100% dedicated to kids. As we celebrate 30 years, we look ahead with gratitude—and a continued promise to be here for every child who needs us.
Dr. Jeffrey Hyams: 30 Years of Pediatric Gastroenterology Care
Then: I always wanted to be a doctor since I was a young child, though it was my second choice of a career. My first choice was to play centerfield for the Yankees, but a serious lack of talent prevented me from pursuing that career. When I started medical school, pediatrics was at the bottom of my list of specialties but after I did my internal medicine and pediatric rotations back-to-back, my mind was changed. I loved pediatrics.
Now: As Division Head of Gastroenterology, I strive to ensure that our missions of excellent clinical care, research, and teaching are fulfilled. Teaching the students, residents, and fellows, as well as mentoring junior faculty, is a particular joy.
Next: The future in pediatric GI is exciting. The late 1990's saw the advent of biologic therapy for chronic inflammatory disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. For the first decade, we had only two medications and now we have fifteen with different mechanisms of action. They are safer for sure. The challenge will be figuring out who will respond to any one agent before we try it.
More Than a Nurse—A Parent’s Journey
Then: When I became a nurse, I knew I wanted to work in pediatrics. Caring for children and supporting families just felt like where I was meant to be. When the opportunity came to join Connecticut Children’s, it felt like the right fit. Once my daughter, Emma, began receiving care here, my connection to this organization grew even deeper.
Now: I have been with Connecticut Children’s for 14 years and currently serve as a nurse practice manager supporting a few of the specialties, and am the clinical care coordinator for Craniofacial. At the same time, my daughter was receiving care here for Crouzon syndrome. Navigating her medical journey while supporting other families gave me a deep personal perspective into what other families were going through.
Transitioning into leadership has allowed me to continue supporting the specialties I love, just in a different way by helping the teams grow and shaping patient care at a broader level. Both my professional and personal experiences have continued to help me grow and develop.
Next: What excites me most about the future of care at Connecticut Children’s is knowing that our growth directly impacts families like mine. As the organization continues to expand services and specialties, more children will have access to the care that has meant so much to our family. Both as a leader and as a parent, I see how much thoughtful growth matters.
Connecticut Children's Over the Years
A Legacy of Comfort, Still Welcoming Families Today
Then: A collection of Beanie Babies donated by Judie and Coleman Levy in memory of their son Perry, welcomed hundreds of thousands of patients and families at our first-floor entrance.
Now: A selection of Beanie Babies are housed in a feature wall in the Emergency Department waiting area.
Next: The remaining Beanie Babies await a new home, while we ensure we honor Perry and the generosity of the Levy family.
From Patient to Caregiver: Coming Full Circle
