In one of her scariest moments, Jasmin and her daughter turned to Connecticut Children’s. Not only did they find the care, comfort, and compassion they needed, Jasmin found her calling. Now a respiratory therapist and fifteen years into her career at Connecticut Children’s, Jasmin is the one making a difference in her patient’s lives. Name: […]

Yaw was a traveling nurse, but after two assignments, decided to stay at Connecticut Children’s because of the 100% dedication to children’s health. After just a little over a year, he’s already in a leadership position and feels empowered to take on new challenges and grow his career. And every day, he feels like he […]

Not only is Coriana a new nursing graduate, she cares for Connecticut Children’s most vulnerable patients: infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. But thanks to the support she receives from leadership and her fellow nurses, she’s feeling empowered, not intimidated. Only six months into her career, she wants to continue learning and growing right […]

Ashlie began her career as a “grown up” nurse. But her mother, also a nurse at Connecticut Children’s, convinced her to bring her skills to pediatric nursing. Initially nervous about the transition, she now loves working with children and their families, and has advanced both her career and leadership responsibilities through Connecticut Children’s supportive culture […]

Krysti had an intuition: Something was really wrong. For a few weeks, she’d been getting the same call from the school nurse. Her daughter, Ciri, had vomited again during class. No fever. No sniffles. No explanation. The pediatrician guessed anxiety. That didn’t seem right to Krysti, though. Ciri, then 8 years old, seemed so at […]

In advance of GivingTuesday, a movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world scheduled for November 28, 2023, we caught up with the new President of Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Paulanne Jushkevich, MA, CFRE. If you’re inspired to support the only health system in Connecticut devoted 100% to the care of children, visit […]

By: Jennifer Zarrilli, MS, RD Some days, figuring out what to feed your child is hard enough. Figuring out how much can seem downright impossible. The recommended portions for a child depend on their age and even gender – and unfortunately, the serving size listed on grocery store labels doesn’t have much to do with […]

As news coverage about the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, children will likely have many questions. In addition to seeing disturbing footage on the news and on social media they are also likely picking up on the stress and sadness from adults around them, regardless of their age. As parents, our first instinct is […]

What is RSV? How is it different from the flu? When should I call my pediatrician or seek emergency care? Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts have the answers you need to get through respiratory season. But first—flu shot check! Is your child up to date on their vaccines? What is RSV and how serious can it […]

A personal mission of pediatric cancer research Lau joined The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) faculty in 2016 to advance his research on pediatric cancers. He also serves as the Scientific Director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at and the Head of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology in the Department of Pediatrics at the […]

From September 15 to October 15, the U.S. celebrates the cultures and contributions of Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latinx. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to teach kids about the histories and traditions behind these cultures, try new traditions, and reflect on the important role they play in our nation today. […]

By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA is the Associate Director of Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center Everyone deserves a memorable, spooky- and safe- Halloween. Here are some Halloween safety rules of the road for all ages, to help make sure that happens.  1. Go together: Plan on accompanying your child if they are trick-or-treating, especially […]

Last time 6-year-old Gracyn-Rose was staying at Connecticut Children’s, she turned to her long-time nurse Meaghan Schneider. “You’re my second mom,” she told Meaghan. “You’re my hospital mom.” In her young life, Gracyn has been hospitalized more than 20 times for a rare gastrointestinal disorder. By now, nurses like Meaghan are practically family. And the […]

By Amy Watkins, MPH and Kristen Levesque, Transportation Engineer When school is in session, we can expect buses, crowded drop-offs and bicycling or walking along busy roads. Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States, so it’s important to talk to your child now about being safe around […]

Debra Ellis, NBS, RN, Program Manager, Newborn Screening  Every year, about 4 million babies are born in the U.S. Most, if not all, of these babies have had newborn screening, and since they began 50 years ago, newborn screening has been helping babies each year. This means that about 200 million people went through newborn […]

Every year, one to three percent of children are hospitalized for RSV, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In a turn of events, the FDA has just approved a monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab or Beyfortus), which is a synthetic injectable protein produced by AstraZeneca, that fights respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a very common […]

Connecticut Children’s DEI Team Social acceptance of the LGBTQIA community has progressed in recent years, but those old stereotypes and misconceptions can still greatly affect the mental health of members of this community. So how can we as their loved ones make them feel comfortable during times of transition or heard during times of hardship? […]

Mary M. Lussier, BSN, IBCLC, Lactation Services Coordinator Many of us have heard or seen the phrase, #normalizebreastfeeding, but what does it mean, exactly, to “normalize” something that’s seemingly so… normal? It starts with being an advocate for the breastfeeding community—regardless of your personal journey.   Connecticut Children’s Lactation Nurse, Mary Lussier, shares 5 ways […]

July Is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. This month brings awareness to the unique mental health needs these groups face. Connecticut Children’s Dr. Melissa Santos, Division Head of Pediatric Psychology and Associate Chair for […]

Ever worry about your child’s desire to learn? Are you concerned that they do not feel as smart as other kids, but do not know how to change this outlook? A positive attitude can help them reshape their perspective on learning and what it means to achieve a goal. For years, researchers have looked into […]

Minutes after Marcus was placed in his mother’s arms for the first time, the nurses gently lifted him away again. They’d heard something alarming in his cry. An X-ray confirmed it: esophageal atresia, a problem with the connection between his esophagus and stomach. He’d just been born, and he needed intensive care. “I was in […]

Babies come in different shapes and sizes, but what’s the deal with babies’ head shapes? Many parents know newborn heads are soft and pliable, therefore it’s crucial to support the baby’s head until it fully forms. But why do some babies have rounded heads, while others have more of a cone, asymmetrical or flat shape? […]

It’s stressful enough when your child is sick or injured. It’s even more stressful if you’re not sure where to take them – the emergency room, urgent care center or pediatrician. Here’s a list to break it down.     Want more articles like this from pediatric experts you trust? Sign up for our newsletter. […]

Jadiel Vasquez spent two and a half months as an inpatient at Connecticut Children’s and much longer as an outpatient recovering from a gunshot wound. He was just 15 years old when he was unintentionally shot inside his Hartford home in March 2021. Now, at age 17, Vasquez is sharing his story of determination and […]

The Juneteenth commemoration celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The term combines June with nineteenth, which is the day in 1865 that Union Army General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in that state. The date came two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed […]

In New England, summer sneaks up after a long winter. However, when the sun comes out, it’s out full force. Before you and the family head outside and “take back” summer, check out some summer sun safety tips to protect yourself and those you love against the sun’s harmful rays. Connecticut Children’s pediatrician Dr. Keri […]

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a new warning over social media and youth mental health. Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Psychologist Bradley S. Jerson, PhD, answers popular questions from parents about this advisory… Want more articles like this from pediatric experts you trust? Sign up for our newsletter. Subscribe How concerned should […]

As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month, which honors the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. As part of our organization’s recognition of this month and other culture months, we highlight the accomplishments and heritage of team members through personal interviews to […]

As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, which honors the culture and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. As part of our organization’s recognition of this month and other culture months, we highlight […]