Children's Hospital Los Angeles

10/14/2026

Family-Based Treatment has become the gold standard for children and adolescents with eating disorders. Using this method, parents are highly involved in their child’s care—in fact, they’re the primary guide to help their child get better. Specialists from CHLA’s Eating Disorders Program outline what families should know about this multidisciplinary outpatient treatment.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4j8meiA

10/13/2026

When Megan’s leukemia didn’t respond to chemotherapy because of an ultra-high-risk genetic mutation, she was referred to specialists at CHLA’s Cancer and Blood Disease Institute.

They developed a new plan: She’d receive CAR T-cell therapy to clear her leukemia, making her eligible for a bone marrow transplant to rebuild her immune system.

Four years after those treatments, Megan remains cancer-free. She graduated high school in May and is now enrolled at a university with the goal of becoming an MRI tech.

“From where I am now, it’s honestly hard to picture where I was just a few years ago,” Megan reflects. “I was so worried about all the things I was missing out on. Now that I’m through it, even the simplest moments are so rewarding.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/4ekAu4o

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

After 323 days in CHLA’s Level IV NICU, Baby Gigi is finally going home. 🩷🎓

Born in Santa Clarita, Gigi was transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles shortly after birth when she needed a higher level of specialized NICU care. She arrived facing chronic lung disease, feeding intolerance, growth challenges, and severe gastroesophageal reflux.

At CHLA, Gigi was cared for by our dedicated Infant Chronic Lung Disease Program team, a multidisciplinary team who closely monitored her respiratory health, development, and growth every step of the way. Through consistent, expert care—and the extraordinary commitment of our physical and occupational therapists, primary nurses, and care teams—Gigi made remarkable progress.

Because of that progress, Gigi was able to avoid tracheostomy and is now home on oxygen.

Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, expert teamwork, and the specialized care provided every day in CHLA’s NICU. We are so proud of you, Gigi. ✨

10/08/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of the 53rd annual Morris and Mary Press Humanism Awards, CHLA’s highest honor! Every year, we celebrate honorees for representing the extraordinary compassion, expertise, and generosity that define CHLA at its best.

Thank you to our distinguished honorees—and all of the 200+ individuals and teams nominated this year—for the inspiring example you’ve set in your daily interactions!

10/06/2026

We're thrilled to announce that Desiree Ritter has been named Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)! After serving as interim CNO since July 2026, Desiree will be leading new initiatives to enhance patient care and support our dedicated nursing team. Join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved appointment!

Read more: https://bit.ly/4hwXE9V

10/05/2026

After a devastating horseback riding accident left Kayley with a severe liver injury, her recovery required highly specialized, multidisciplinary care.

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, teams across the Trauma Program, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, the Advanced and Complex Endoscopy (ACE) Program, Interventional Radiology, and expert critical care, surgical, and nursing staff came together to guide her through a complex recovery.

From stabilizing life-threatening blood loss to placing a stent to divert bile and promote healing, Kayley’s care journey reflects the power of coordinated pediatric expertise. Months later, after a series of minimally invasive follow-up procedures and unwavering determination, she made a triumphant return to the rodeo and the barrel racing she loves. Kayley’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when courage meets expert care.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3U6FYZO

09/30/2026

Avery was only 3 when an MRI revealed a 5.5-centimeter mass on the back of his brain. His doctors in Santa Barbara referred him to CHLA, home to one of the largest and highest-performing pediatric brain tumor centers in the country.

When surgery revealed medulloblastoma, an aggressive and fast-growing cancer, CHLA’s brain tumor experts devised a care plan for Avery that would target tumor cells, help him avoid radiation, and monitor his response to treatment.

By Fall 2024, he finished treatment. And by Spring 2025, tests showed no evidence of cancer.

Today, Avery is an active and social kindergartener. His time at CHLA is something he barely remembers—but for his parents, the support he received there is something they’ll never forget.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4y0IleB

09/29/2026

Before he was born, Beckett's family learned he had a rare congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). They turned to CHLA's Fetal Cardiology Program for a second opinion and a plan for his future.

Children with HLHS are born with only one functioning pumping chamber of the heart and require a series of lifesaving surgeries beginning shortly after birth. The time between surgeries can be challenging, which is why Beckett's cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and the rest of his multidisciplinary heart care team have been closely monitoring him every step of the way.

Beckett's first two surgeries have been successful, and now at 3 years old, he's growing, playing, and thriving as he prepares for his third and final procedure.

While smaller medical centers may rarely see complex defects like HLHS, CHLA's Heart Institute is home to advanced programs designed to give every child with a complex congenital heart condition the best chance at a healthy future.

Read more about Beckett's journey: https://bit.ly/4jwxCVv

09/28/2026

Thank you to the thousands of team members who took part in last week's Team Member Breakfast! The event offered a welcome opportunity to celebrate CHLA's recent national and global recognition in the U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rankings, and more importantly, to thank the people whose work made those honors possible.