Hand In Hand Pediatrics

10/23/2026

We are still on a runner's high after such an amazing race weekend at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon! This past weekend brought together unforgettable moments, inspiring Mile Champions and motivated race participants whose dedication carried them all the way to the finish line. We're reliving some of our favorite memories from this incredible day. 🏅

10/22/2026

Meet Shaun!

In January 2023, Rayshawn and Michelle welcomed their son Shaun to the world. His birth felt like a small miracle, as the Cleveland couple had been told having children of their own would be difficult.

Shaun was a happy, active baby, so when he started sleeping more and laughing less, his parents took notice. He also started vomiting, but since he had just started eating solid foods, Rayshawn and Michelle thought he might have a feeding issue. Despite trying many different foods, Shaun couldn’t keep anything down.

Rayshawn and Michelle took him to their local emergency department. Shaun’s condition continued to decline. He swelled up, struggled to breathe and couldn’t stay awake. While Rayshawn was holding him, Shaun’s heart suddenly stopped. Doctors revived him, but this traumatic moment marked the beginning of the family’s health journey.

The intensive care unit team told Rayshawn and Michelle that Shaun’s heart was enlarged and weakened on one side. After two months of inpatient care, Shaun was stable enough to be sent home with a dozen prescriptions. Rayshawn and Michelle struggled with his complex medication regimen and worried about him constantly.

While the prescriptions helped for a time, Shaun took a bad turn on Thanksgiving 2023. Rayshawn and Michelle rushed him to the emergency room again, where they experienced horrible déjà vu: Shaun’s heart stopped again and he was revived again. But this time, his doctors recommended that he go to Nationwide Children’s as soon as possible. Shaun was transferred by ambulance on Black Friday.

Dr. Deipanjan Nandi told the family that Shaun needed a heart transplant. In the meantime, he needed a ventricular assist device (VAD), which would be connected to his heart and help pump blood throughout his body. That Sunday, Shaun had surgery. His parents were startled; the VAD was a bulky machine with lots of tubes. But it was giving him time to wait for a heart and to work on growing strong enough for such a life-changing surgery.

For the next seven months, the family lived at Nationwide Children’s, far from Cleveland, the only home they had ever known. Rayshawn and Michelle celebrated Shaun’s first Christmas, his first steps and even his first birthday in the hospital. They were there for his therapy appointments, his feedings and his playtime. Shaun’s team was there for their son, too. “So supportive, so committed. Days when we would be down and out, they’ll come in smiling, keeping everything positive,” Rayshawn said. “It was just amazing how active and engaged they kept him.”

Finally, they got a call from the transplant team. They had a match! Despite being so young, Shaun seemed to know something special was happening and went to surgery with a smile. Ten hours later, the tubes tethering him to the ventricular assist device were gone. Shaun had a new heart. His parents could pick him up and hug him with no medical devices in the way.

Since going home — to their new house in Columbus, where they would always be close to their clinical team — Shaun has been joyfully experiencing life as a toddler. Rayshawn and Michelle are forever grateful to Shaun's hero donor for giving him the gift of life and making these moments possible.

As for team that cared for Shaun, Rayshawn shares, “We were so supported in the time that we needed it the most. I wish I could hug all of them at once.”

At Nationwide Children's, your everything is our everything and we are there for every step of your family's health journey. Learn more about our commitment to patients and families and watch as Shaun's parents share more about their journey in the link below.

10/22/2026

🎃 Trick-or-Treating with food allergies doesn't have to be scary! Check out these 5 tips from our food allergy experts to keep your child safe.
_________________________________
Video description: Video shows two clinicians dressed up as a witch and Elvis Presley standing in a clinic room sharing tips about safely trick-or-treating with food allergies.

10/21/2026

We welcomed some very special guests to the hospital today! Thank you to all the Columbus Blue Jackets players who spent some time with our patients and staff!

10/21/2026

🚑 Have you ever wondered what it looks like in the back of a mobile intensive care unit? Come inside our MICU with Critical Care Transport Nurse, Zach, and find out what to expect during transport!
________

Video Description: Clinical staff member provides a tour of a Nationwide Children's Hospital mobile ICU. Video shows him giving a tour of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

10/20/2026

Meet Jilian! At Nationwide Children's, your everything is our everything and we are there for every step of your health journey. For Jilian, that journey began when she was 14 years old.

Jilian’s dentist and orthodontist noticed something wrong with her X-rays and referred her to Nationwide Children’s, where she met with Dr. Kim Bjorklund and Dr. Kris Jatana.

Jilian was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, a rare, noncancerous tumor that develops most often in the jaw near the molars. To remove the tumor, surgeons needed to remove about 50% of the right side of her mandible, or lower jawbone.

The 17-hour surgery involved reconstructing her jaw with her fibula, the smaller bone in her lower leg.

During recovery, Jilian struggled to breathe without her breathing tube and had esophageal webs, which cause narrowing in the esophagus and made swallowing difficult. Jillian also found out she had COVID-19.

Through it all, Jillian’s family played a huge role in her recovery. She was especially grateful to have her mom by her side for all 18 days in the hospital, along with her sisters during her recovery.

Family and friends from her small town sent her more than 250 e-cards!

Because the bone from her fibula was used to reconstruct her jaw, Jilian also spent eight months in physical therapy. Eventually, she was back to doing the activities she loved, including basketball, track and volleyball.

During her time at Nationwide Children’s, Jilian met members of the Child Life team, who made a lasting impact on her care.

“There’s so much more to hospitals than just doctors and nurses. Child life specialists showed me that,“ Jilian shares.

Today, Jilian is a patient care assistant (PCA) in the Emergency Department at Nationwide Children’s. She cried when she found out she got the job — the only job she applied for after graduating high school.

Now, Jilian is in nursing school with a dream of becoming an Emergency Department nurse. She hopes to give other patients the same compassion and support that made such a lasting impact when she was a patient at Nationwide Children’s.

“All of the staff pour themselves into their patients, and that is why I chose to work here. I know what it is like to be on the other side. I know what it feels like to be scared about what comes next. I want to be the person they can smile and laugh with and trust.”

Visit the link in our comments to learn more about our commitment to patients and families.

10/19/2026

🎉 Congratulations to all of our staff members who took part in the Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon this weekend!

Whether they ran, walked, cheered from the sidelines, or supported our Marathon Mile Champions, thank you for helping make the most meaningful marathon in America even more special.

10/19/2026

🦋 Did you happen to see these butterflies at The Columbus Marathon and Marathon Expo this weekend?! The butterflies will be migrating to our front lawn soon.

Stay tuned to find out how YOU can get involved and light up the lives of our patients this holiday season!

10/19/2026

Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death in U.S. teenagers. Because parents and caregivers often control what vehicles their teens drive, their choices make a big impact on the safety of their teens and others on the road.

Here is a blog with 3️⃣ recommendations for parents and caregivers when choosing the first car for their teens: https://bit.ly/4jPn4hI.

Image description: Teen smiling and wrapping their arms around a red car with their head laying on the vehicle.

Here are some recommendations for parents and caregivers when choosing the first car for their teens.

10/19/2026

Today’s race was filled with meaningful moments. Every mile reflected the strength, resilience and spirit that make this the most meaningful marathon in the country. Thank you to The Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon participants, Mile Champions, families, spectators and volunteers who made today so special. You reminded us that every step can make a difference for kids and families.

10/18/2026

Every mile has a why and Children’s Corner is where those reasons come to life. Filled with patients, families, staff and supporters, this beloved spot on the course brings an extra dose of joy and inspiration to race day. Their energy reminds us that behind every mile is a community united in support of kids and families.

10/15/2026

Swelling is a normal reaction of the body to an injury. Sometimes, though, the body goes overboard, and the inflammatory response is excessive and can actually begin to cause more damage than good.

Check out the graphic to learn what you can do if you experience swelling.

10/12/2026

🚲 Does your child love to ride their bike around the neighborhood?

Here is a resource with 🔟 bike safety tips every parent should know to keep their child safe ➡️ https://bit.ly/4523ZlS

10/09/2026

What do you do when you hear your child say, "I think I'm going to throw up”?

Nausea is a very uncomfortable feeling that no one enjoys! Learn the most common causes of nausea and what you can do to help your child: https://bit.ly/4d2tEhK

I don't know about you, but there are few things that send chills down my spine like hearing my kids say,

10/07/2026

Parents: Watch the video below for 5 signs your teen might be sleep deprived. 😴

Does this sound like your child? If your teen could use better sleep, follow these tips from our expert:

1️⃣ Create a sleep-friendly environment: Aim for a cool, dark and quiet room and consider using a sleep mask or white noise machine.

2️⃣ Cooler temperatures are key! Lower bedroom temperatures to help your body dip in temperature for better sleep.

3️⃣ Prioritize homework wisely. Handle work on a computer or laptop early to avoid bright lights affecting sleep and save pencil and paper homework for later in the evening.

09/28/2026

Room sharing (NOT bed sharing) with your baby for the first 6 months can reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%. Follow the ABCs of - Alone, Back, Crib. Every baby. Every sleep.

09/23/2026

Is it time to move your child to a front-facing car seat? Here's everything you need to know: https://bit.ly/49ROOww

Image description: Small child sitting in purple car sear with big white sunglasses on and staring at the camera making a funny face.

Why is it important to keep your child rear facing as long as possible? Carrie Rhodes, Passenger Safety Program Coordinator at Nationwide Children's Hospital answers this question and provides recommendations on how to determine if your child is ready f...

09/16/2026

The United States has seen a steady increase in food recalls this year which has left many asking, what IS safe to eat? Experts share why food is recalled and six things you can do at home to keep your family safe.

09/14/2026

👏 Take a moment to celebrate the incredible kids in your life and let them know how proud of them you are. What are some words and phrases you use to encourage the kids in your life? Share with us in the comments below!

09/09/2026

Safe storage saves live. Be sure to store medications safely by keeping them up, away and out of sight from children and teens. Join us in spreading awareness and protecting our communities.