UW Health Kids

05/29/2026

“But was it brain surgery?”
When 8-year-old Rylan hears about anyone else who had surgery, his inquisitive and competitive instincts perk up. Read how our pediatric neurosurgery team helped answer both Rylan’s questions and his parents’ when a routine checkup uncovered an uncommon condition.

https://uw.health/3Pn9IyX

A routine check-up led doctors to find Rylan had Chiari malformation, a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal.

05/28/2026

Last week, a few players from Forward Madison FC stopped by American Family Children’s Hospital and brought a little extra fun to the day. ⚽💙

Kids had the chance to show off their footwork at a pop-up net, color with players and pick up some Forward Madison swag. There were lots of smiles, a little friendly competition and a few impressive soccer skills on display.

05/27/2026

Your story matters.

Whether your child faced a health challenge, celebrated a recovery or experienced remarkable care that made all the difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Click below to tell us about your experience and help inspire others guiding their child through the next step in their care.

👉 Share your story with us: https://uw.health/3QDXtyr

05/26/2026

Empowering Pediatric Immunotherapies for Childhood Cancer Team is a partnership among several North American cancer research institutions that combines expertise in immunotherapy and genomics to create precision treatments for the most difficult-to-treat pediatric cancers.

05/22/2026

Falls from windows can happen quickly, especially with curious crawlers and climbers. Simple changes at home can help lower the risk and keep kids safer.

05/20/2026

Summer break is almost here, and we’re wishing our teachers at American Family Children’s Hospital, a summer filled with rest, adventure and sunshine! 🌞 🍎

Shout out to Madison Schools - MMSD teachers Andy Tonies, Emanuel Stern and Sarah Lawrence.

05/18/2026

Medical events have an impact on all family members, and child life specialists care for both the patient and their loved ones. They help kids express their feelings through play, art or conversation, and support parents by helping them understand what to expect.

Lizzie Thome is a child life specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at American Family Children’s Hospital. She is an integrated part of the patient care team, most often for patients with cardiac, neurology, surgical, respiratory or complex care needs. She works with the medical and psychosocial teams, collaborating with nursing and therapy staff to keep updated on the patient’s development and how to work together to meet their goals.

She loves seeing the bravery that children often embody, even in their hardest moments. Seeing the light bulb go off when a patient understands an aspect of their care or witnessing a patient being proud of their hard work fills her with joy.

05/15/2026

In the NICU, families meet many caregivers who help guide them through some of the hardest days of their lives. One of those people is Ben Schultz, a neonatal nurse practitioner whose calm, steady presence brings comfort to both babies and parents.

Ben began his career as a bedside nurse and discovered how meaningful it was to care for critically ill infants and support their families. Today, he continues that work as a nurse practitioner, helping newborns who arrive far earlier or sicker than expected get the care they need to grow stronger day by day.

“The most fulfilling part of my job is when an infant comes into this world before they were supposed to be born, weighing a pound or even less, and seeing them grow and develop and ultimately go home,” says Ben.

Across our three NICUs, Ben helps coordinate care and mentor the next generation of NICU providers. Families feel reassured when he walks into the room, and colleagues know they can count on him to lead with kindness, humility and deep dedication to every baby in his care.

05/14/2026

What started out as stomach and gas pain turned into a rare cancer diagnosis for Liam. Throughout Liam’s medical journey there has been one consistent presence bringing him peace and comfort, Cola, one of our CHAMPs facility dogs. With his handler, child life specialist Brianna, Cola has been able to create a soothing environment for Liam and his family. Liam always has the biggest smile on his face when Cola enters the room and welcomes his snuggles. In what continues to be a journey filled with uncertainty, one thing is certain—the bond between Cola and Liam. 🦮💕

05/13/2026

“These injuries can be life-altering, and no one expects it to happen to them, but it can,” says Dr. Ken Noonan, UW Health Kids orthopedic surgeon. “Mowing lawns can be an important part of growing up for a child, but they should be age appropriate and well-trained.”

⚠️ When mowing, remember 6-12-16.