Lauren Palmer Ortega, MD

Our patients are so thoughtful, and 7-year-old Kashton is going above and beyond! ❤️ He's befriended a few of our facility dogs while receiving treatment for a brain tumor, and he's now crafting them new bandanas to wear. He hopes it'll help put a smile on the face of each child they meet.🐾 Watch Kashton's story with NBC DFW:

7-year-old Rowlett boy sews to give back while waiting for brain tumor surgery A 7-year-old boy and his mother are sewing bandanas and creating joyful moments together as the child awaits the removal of his brain tumor, Fred.

Join us in thanking our amazing facility therapy dogs who truly live our mission to make life better for children. 🎈 Our four-legged team members support patients, families and team members in numerous ways, bringing joy to so many people. 🐶 🐾 Have you met any of our facility therapy dogs?

It’s official: Children’s Health has been awarded the national Great Place To Work Certification. Thank you to and our committed team for their contributions to this accomplishment!

If you're looking for something to bring a smile to your face, look no further than our patient Henry. Watch this story with CBS News Texas on Henry's journey and the heartwarming way his family thanked his oncologist who helped him tackle his rare diagnosis:

North Texas cancer patient's parents bestow pediatric specialist with a lifetime honor Dr. Tamra Slone is sure that, of all the accolades she has received over 20 years of practicing medicine as an oncologist and hematologist, no one has ever given her what the Willeford family did.

Want to be a part of the Children’s Health team? With our campus expanding, we’re excited to announce that we’re hiring! Start your application here: https://jobsearch.childrens.com/plano-expansion

At this year's hand print ceremony for Hyundai Hope On Wheels, Children's Health received a $400,000 grant to continue our research for childhood cancer. Leading this research, Dr. Andrew Koh, Director of Pediatric Cellular and ImmunoTherapeutics Program at Children’s Health and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, was recognized for his revolutionary breakthroughs and treatments.

Ready, Set, Go! 🏎️
Check out our exciting racing-themed Dog Days of Summer event! 🐾 Special thanks to our Child Life team for all their efforts in bringing this joyous event to life. It's always a great time when we celebrate our wonderful facility and volunteer therapy dogs, and all they do for patients, families and team members.

We had LOTS of fun during Children's Health Teddy Bear Clinic at KidZania USA! 🎈 Each kid received a new teddy bear to take through admitting, radiology, surgery and more. This concept helps reduce fears and familiarize kids with medical treatments and procedures. What an amazing day of learning!

We're having Olympics-sized fun!🎉
Patients decorated their own medals and Olympic torch. They then competed in our own version of the Olympics that included mini basketball, boat racing with boats created by our 3D printer, mini bowling and pool noodle javelin. Check out all our champions! 🏅

After hurting her ankle and knee during a performance, Genevieve was referred to our Children’s Health Andrews Institute. For three months she worked with her physical therapist Laura to get back on the dance floor in time for her last recital of the spring season and ready for gymnastics camp this summer. Although Genevieve was sad to complete physical therapy after the bond she had formed with Laura, we're happy she's back to dancing and tumbling! 🤸🩰

Patients enjoyed a fun, special holiday visit in July from NorthPark Center Santa and volunteer Santa Doug! 🎅 They spent the day in Seacrest Studios reading books and playing his ukulele, and walking the halls to visit patients. Patients also enjoyed sweet treats from Chef Drew in the Child Life Zone. We're thankful for visits like this which spread joy to our patients and offer fun activities! What a fun day! Ryan Seacrest Foundation

The new patient tower will mark a new era of excellent pediatric care at our Plano campus. Enjoy this sneak peek of the new tower, revealing some of the exciting new details!

When Zeke was 11 years old, he started experiencing chest pains, so his family sought help from our Heart Center. After a 4.5-hour-long open-heart surgery, our team of experts discovered that Zeke's mitral valve was damaged and replaced it with a man-made mechanical heart valve.

Now 16 years old, Zeke is excelling in athletics and even had the opportunity to meet Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, who shares a similar experience. Read more about Zeke's journey to recovery: https://bit.ly/4cwEsEp

Summer can be fun, but it can also lead to a loss in reading comprehension. Take steps to prevent that with the following tips: https://bit.ly/3XUhpi3

💖 Many of our team members say working at Children’s Health is more than a career, it’s a calling. Molly, a critical care nurse currently working the night shift at our Plano campus, shares more about her experience and journey to joining the Children’s Health family. Are you interested in ? Visit jobsearch.childrens.com/plano-expansion. 🎈

Your child’s performance goes hand in hand with hydration. By drinking the right amount of water, their body can regulate blood pressure better and improve circulation. Learn more about how hydration can help your child athlete: https://bit.ly/3VSxROY

Indoor on-screen activities can be a fun way to beat the blazing Texas heat, but too much screen time can be problematic. Hear what our own Dr. Adrienne Anderson, pediatric psychologist at Children’s Health, recommends to keep your kids happy and healthy with their devices this summer.

Setting Summer Screen Time Limits - DFWChild A pediatric expert shares tips for limiting kids’ screen time during the summer and how to put kids in charge of managing their own.

It's hard to see your child struggle with medical issues, and Riley’s parents felt lost when she started having unexplained UTIs. Our Children’s Health Urology Clinic didn't stop until they got Riley and her family the answers and treatment they needed. Read about Riley's story: https://bit.ly/3Y1mMfA

Blasting off into a world of discovery with the Perot Museum! 🚀 Patients had a great time learning all about atoms, magnetic fields, objects in motion, rocket launchers and so much more! 🌌

During chemotherapy treatment, 7-year-old Victoria was asked by her nurse Laura what she wanted to be when she grew up. Victoria responded that she wanted to be Laura's manager. Victoria's care team sprung into action and crafted an application for her to complete, printed a badge and welcomed her as the new “manager” of the unit. Thank you to our team members for going above and beyond to ensure not only that our patients receive high-quality care, but also an experience that allows them to feel seen, valued and supported.🎈

Our Health Equity team recently hosted Medical Explorers Day. Through hands-on demonstrations and activities, a diverse panel of doctors, nurses and health experts educated elementary school students on the different medical roles and careers they could pursue in the future. We had a great time at Buckner Terrace Montessori!

Happy 4th of July! Today we reflect on what it means to have the freedoms we all enjoy. We wish you a happy and safe Independence Day! 🎆

Summertime celebrations often call for fireworks. 🎆 While these eye-catching glimmers in the sky are fun, it’s important to inform your children on how to be safe around them. Read our tips for firework safety: https://bit.ly/4cqOQNy

Volunteering can make all the difference! If you're interested in getting involved, our Dallas campus is currently looking for volunteers. Learn how you can get involved today: https://bit.ly/3KN4KGd

As temperatures rise, ensure your child stays cool and well-hydrated. ☀️🏖️ Get tips for a safe summer for your child: https://bit.ly/3xu1OL7

For Henry, a complex cancer diagnosis complicated by COVID-19 presented many challenges. Thanks to Dr. Tamra Slone, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at Children’s Health and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Henry's care team, he got the compassionate care he needed to push through a long and challenging treatment. Learn more about Henry's inspirational journey that led his parents naming Henry’s sister after Dr. Slone: https://bit.ly/3Xj50Ee

Congrats to our recent graduates who are transitioning to adult care! Patients with sickle cell disease have worked hard to understand their care and advocate for themselves as they transition to adult care. We're sad to see them go, but thanks to the collaboration of their care teams, they're prepared for the next chapter.

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, which serves as a reminder of our continuous journey towards equality for all. As we confront today's challenges, we are dedicated to building a brighter future in our community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing a diverse team that reflects the patients and families we serve on a daily basis.