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From Crib to Bed: When, How, Why and What If? By Haviva Veler, MD, FAASM: It’s 3 am and you caught your toddler trying to climb out of the crib! Or, maybe you’re just wondering when, how or why you should make the switch to a bed. We turned to Dr. Haviva Veler, Division Head of Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine team, for

$3.5 Million Gift Establishes the Chênevert Family Advanced Cellular and Gene Therapy Unit in Connecticut Children’s Tower Expansion The Chênevert Family gift will keep children close to home for lifesaving bone marrow transplants, stem cell transplants and gene therapy.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Authorized for Ages 12 and Up. Here’s What Parents Need to Know By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated November 4, 2021. In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 to 15. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, answers common questions about

Does Removing Kids’ Tonsils Help Prevent Strep Throat? By Katherine Kavanagh, MD: Tonsils, the two fleshy masses in back of the throat, are considered “gate-keepers” for screening bacteria and viruses entering the nose and mouth. While they can play a role in the local immune system, on occasion they can become a reservoir for bacteria and cause problems of

My Tween Wants a Smart Phone. Now What? By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: Your preteen wants their own phone. You’re torn—and worried for their safety. As they explore the digital world, they’re well on their way to independence. 91% of kids will have a smartphone by the time they turn 14, according to Common Sense Media. If you’re on the fence about

Giving a Teen the Freedom to Laugh: Our Life-Changing Partnership with Kids In Crisis By James Healy, MD, MHS, Pediatric Surgeon: We’d like to thank our valued partners at Kids in Crisis for this story. Published with permission. For most teenagers, laughter is spontaneous and free. But for one 17-year-old who came to Connecticut Children’s, every laugh meant choosing between joy and pain – until we

Beyond Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Emily’s Story By Shailendra Upadhyay, MD, CEPS, FHRS: A few years ago, they got a double dose: On her final day of recovery from open heart surgery, lifelong patient Emily Glass donned face paint to match Valentine’s, and they made the rounds together. Emily, who is 34 years old, actually has a lot of experience in this area. Since

Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 1 - What is Medicaid? By Jane Baird: Welcome to the first of a three-part blog series about a critical health care issue for children: Medicaid. As Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs, I spend a lot of time thinking about the Medicaid program because it plays a huge role at Connecticut

Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 2 - Supporting the Financial Health of Pediatric Care By Bridgett Feagin, MBA: As Chief Financial Officer at Connecticut Children’s, part of my role is ensuring that our independent children’s health system has the necessary resources to meet the needs of our patients and their families. Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100%

Beyond Cardiac Critical Care: Joseph’s Story By Monika Gupta, MD: Every evening, when it was time to return home to their eight other children, parents Katie and Dan steeled themselves to say goodnight to their youngest. Their newborn son, Joseph, had been born with multiple heart defects, and was now in Connecticut Children’s pediatric

Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 3 - A Community-Driven Approach By Paul Dworkin, MD: As a pediatrician and Executive Vice President for the Office for Community Child Health at Connecticut Children’s, I’ve spent much of my career focusing on improving child health services. In my various roles—including Project Director for North Hartford Ascend and Founding

What to Expect at Your Baby’s First Check-Up By Laura Nowacki, MD: Your baby will see their pediatrician a lot during their first year of life – and that begins with their very first well-baby visit, just a few days after coming home from the hospital. The primary care providers in Connecticut Children’s Care Network lead these kinds of visits

More than 60 Children Screened for Heart Abnormalities at “Check Your Beat: Kids EKG” Event in Westport Westport, CT (February 8, 2025) – Connecticut Children’s and the Hearts in Harmony Foundation hosted a successful Check Your Beat: Kids EKG event today at the Westport Specialty Care Center. This community event raised awareness about Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a life-threatening

Growing Up Smiling: How Oral Health Shapes a Child's Future By Laura Marin-Ruiz: A child's oral health forms the foundation for their overall growth and development. From their first tooth to their teenage years, caring for their teeth and gums is about more than just preventing cavities—it’s about creating habits that support lifelong health. In recognition

2.5 Million Gift Establishes the Chase-Bear-Dyer Family Cafe in Connecticut Children’s Tower Expansion Hartford, CT—Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only healthcare system dedicated exclusively to the care of children, has received a $2.5 million gift from Cheryl Chase and Stuart Bear and their family to support the hospital’s new eight-story clinical tower, set to open in