Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital

A Sister’s Love: The Unsung Hero(e) 💛🦸‍♀️

“Daddy, carry me,” said Pearl Monroe, who goes by the nickname, “Roe Roe”, during a walk outside with her dad and older sister, Carson Parry. Before he knew it, Chad Tucker, Roe Roe’s dad, turned to see Carson Parry rush to her sister’s rescue. “I’ll carry you, Roe Roe”.

In 2019, Roe Roe was diagnosed with leukemia. Through 17 spinal chemo infusions, 40 IV treatments, and over 1,000 chemo pills, Carson Parry was always there to lift her up, offering love and strength, embodying the true spirit of sisterhood.

When Roe Roe joyfully rang the bell on her 6th birthday, marking her end-of-treatment after 858 days, Carson Parry celebrated her sister’s victory as her own. Through every milestone during her treatment at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital and beyond, Roe Roe knew she could always rely on her sister to serve as a beacon of hope.

Now 8 years old, Roe Roe continues to thrive, thanks in no small part to Carson Parry's (and little brother Franklin Reeves’) unwavering support. The Tucker family formed Roe Roe's Heroes Childhood Cancer Foundation to help other families facing pediatric cancer, giving back to the community that stood by them. "Most of us will never meet our heroes - I get to have dinner with mine every night," says Chad.

As caregivers, we are honored to be a part of Roe Roe and Carson Parry's journey. Their story of love and resilience inspires us every day, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help children like Roe Roe fight and flourish. 💛

👉 Read more on Roe Roe and Carson Parry’s story here: https://bit.ly/4d4aPdm

Attention parents ⚠️📱

Social media is home to a lot of viral trends. Whether good, bad, dangerous or silly, check out these tips to help stay engaged and keep your kids safe as they engage in social media trends ⬇️ https://bit.ly/46bDon4

A Parents’ Guide to Helping Teens Navigate the Social Media Maze As a parent, understanding how to guide your teen through the world of social media is crucial for their overall health. Dr. Anthony Johnson with Atrium Health Levine Children’s Arboretum Pediatrics shares some practical tips and strategies to help you support your teenager in navigating the compl...

A karaoke party straight out of our ‘Wildest Dreams!’ 🎤🌟

Patients were ‘Enchanted’ singing along with our favorite Swiftie and child life specialist, Cheyenne, as she posed for photos, made friendship bracelets and memories with a Taylor Swift themed exclusive event at our dedicated music therapy room, Sophie’s Place, at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital.

For those who couldn’t make it to Sophie’s Place in person, Cheyenne visited patients ahead of time, bringing craft bags so everyone could join in on the ‘Love Story.’

One in a million 💪💛


Jada Love's journey is a testament to courage and resilience. Born with achondroplasia, the most common type of short-limbed dwarfism, she spent much of her first year and a half in a hospital. Her parents, Keith and Mary, were told it would be years before she might walk and she would be on a feeding tube until her 20s. But Jada beat the odds early, walking and eating on her own before age two. Her mom calls her a “miracle baby.”

“Jada is a unique young woman,” says Dr. Cynthia Emory, an orthopaedic oncology surgeon at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and chair of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Emory led Jada’s surgical care at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. “Based on Jada and her unique conditions, she literally is one in a million.”

In early 2023, Jada faced a new challenge: a rare bone cancer called osteosarcoma. The diagnosis is rare, with only about 800 new cases nationally each year, with about half of those being children and teens. Thanks to the incredible care from Brenner Children’s Hospital, Jada had the support she needed.

To save Jada’s leg, doctors removed the tumor and two-thirds of her tibia. Since no prosthetic fit her small leg, Dr. Emory designed a custom one with help from engineers.

Jada is now cancer-free! and is back to living her life as a teen, learning to drive and aspiring to become a cosmetologist.

“The doctors and staff there are awesome. They did everything right and gave Jada the confidence to get through this like she was part of their family,” Jada’s father, Keith says.

Seeing Jada overcome so much with such grace is a true blessing. In addition to helping her perform as honorary cheerleader with Wake Forest University back in March, we’re thrilled to have been part of her journey and are excited to watch her thrive.

More about Jada’s journey here: https://bit.ly/4cOmz3K

So excited to welcome Northwest Pediatrics into the family 🎉

United in care. United in hope 💪💛

“If we didn’t have Brenner Children’s Hospital and Levine Children's Hospital with their focus and expertise in pediatrics, I don’t think Tre would be here.” – Mikki Robertson, Tre’s mom

Tre Robertson’s life with sickle cell disease has been a journey of courage and strength. Since he was a baby, Tre has faced numerous health challenges, from severe pain crises to intensive treatments. Thanks to the seamless care across Atrium Health Levine Children’s , the support Tre needs is readily available.

At 11 years old, Tre experienced countless hospital visits and rehabilitation, yet his joy for life is still evident. “When he has a good day, he sings, runs, laughs and plays his games. He’s just a big ball of energy. He doesn’t have a mean bone ins his body, gets along with everyone he meets and has never met a stranger.

“Once he wraps you around that little finger, you’re in with him for life,” Mikki says.

His care teams in Winston-Salem and Charlotte work together to ensure he receives the best care possible. “Having doctors who communicate and coordinate Tre’s care between the hospitals gives us so much comfort,” says Mikki. “Both places feel like home to us, where Tre is always welcomed with love and care.”

Tre’s bright spirit and resilience are an inspiration to us all. We are grateful to be part of his recovery and see him grow stronger every day.

More about Tre’s journey here: https://www.wakehealth.edu/stories/patients/tre-robinson

3 cheers for 20 yEARs!

Two decades ago, Dr. Dan Kirse, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital, recognized a need for cochlear implant services for kids in our region. In 2004, the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program was born. Since the onset of the program, providers have served hundreds of patients.

We are so grateful for our ear, nose, and throat providers, audiologists, speech pathologists, and more across Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist who work together to help these kids hear the world around them.

🎶✨Even in the face of adversity, Bria Scott's love for dance and her joyful humor turn every moment into a celebration of life! 💃💖

Bria Scott's life took a turn when she collapsed during a dance class at her high school. Rushed to the emergency department at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital, she was found to be severely anemic, meaning her red blood cell count was really low. Just as the team was preparing for blood transfusions, Bria's heart stopped, and she went into cardiac arrest. For three agonizing hours, the medical team fought to revive her, as her mother held onto all hope.

She was taken to the pediatric intensive care unit at (PICU) at Brenner Children’s Hospital and placed on ECMO, a heart-lung bypass machine that gives her organs a chance to rest while she fights to survive. Her family, including her parents Bernard and Kisha and her sisters Kayla and Kierra, gathered around her bed, praying fervently for a miracle. And a miracle they received – against all odds, Bria’s heart began to beat on its own just days later.

Bria then faced a new challenge: an above-the-knee amputation. The cannula that supplied blood to her heart, saving her life, also compressed the blood flow to her leg. Despite this life-changing surgery, Bria’s spirit remained unbroken. She embraced her new normal with grace and humor, even naming her right leg, "Baby Leg."

Bria, a rising sophomore who loves the color pink, old-school R&B music, and her pit bull Bleu, has shown immense courage and positivity, especially for a teenager. Music, her personal therapy, filled her hospital room, turning it into an impromptu dance party for her and her medical team.

Bria’s journey continues with physical therapy and preparation for her first prosthesis. She’s facing each new challenge with bravery and optimism, supported by her incredible family and friends.

Bria’s story is far from over, and we can't wait to see all the amazing things she will achieve. It’s an honor to care for you, Bria!

"We need to feel more comfortable talking about the mental health of children. The more we speak the term 'mental health,' we erode the stigma."

Mary's dedication has also driven early identification and treatment of autism and anxiety in children. Her leadership during the relocation of Amos Cottage to a freestanding facility expanded its reach and impact on the community.

Thank you, Mary, for your unwavering dedication and the profound impact you've made on countless lives. 💖

Navigating the devastation of a leukemia relapse, Miles brings joy and light to all that know him 💛

In 2019, 2-year-old Miles was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After 3.5 years of intense chemotherapy, Miles rang the bell in July 2022, marking the end of his treatment and the start of a new chapter. But just when his family thought they were done with cancer forever, a routine bloodwork check in September 2023 revealed a relapse. The family had to rush back to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children's Hospital to begin treatment all over again.

This time around, Miles’ treatment is different: he wears a backpack with a pump for continuous medicine administration and goes in for weekly needle changes. While it is stronger medication with more side effects, the backpack allows Miles to get around and go on with his daily activities, spending less time in the hospital or oncology office.

Miles' mother, Brandi, is thankful for the incredible support from their oncology team, especially Dr. Cristina Fernandez, and nurses like Ms. Nancy. Their expertise and care made a very difficult situation just a little more bearable for Miles and their whole family.

As Miles continues treatment, his story is a reminder of the strength and love that carry us through life's toughest challenges. Together, they're tackling leukemia one day at a time. 💛

This month, you might notice our teammates sporting special "Be Kind to Yourself, Your Mental Health Matters" t-shirts. 🧡 We believe that providing excellent care to our patients begins with caring for ourselves.

Wearing these t-shirts is a reminder to prioritize our mental well-being every day. By taking care of ourselves, we can better support and uplift our community.

Let's all take a moment to be kind to ourselves and spread the message that mental health matters. Together, we can make a positive difference. 🌟

📣 Calling all student-athletes! 🏋️‍♀️

Join us for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Heart of a Champion Day to get a FREE sports physical! Whether you're in Winston-Salem, High Point, or Wilkesboro, if you're enrolled at an AHWFB partner high school, you're invited.

Our program is unique because we offer comprehensive heart screenings, including an electrocardiogram (EKG) from an Atrium Health Levine Children’s specialist. The screenings also include:
✅ A review of your medical history
✅ A sports-specific medical and musculoskeletal exam
✅ A vision test
✅ A heart screening

While we hope to never find any health concerns, if follow-up care is needed, you will have direct access to the world-class care teams at Atrium Health Levine Children’s.

To find your local event and sign up, click below
https://bit.ly/44No3bl

And be sure to share this with the student-athletes in your life!

Today is International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, and we had a Kangaroo-a-Thon to celebrate 🦘



This special event at the Dale and Karen Sisel NICU at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital celebrates the magic of kangaroo care - the beautiful practice of skin-to-skin contact between infants and parents 🤱❤️



Baby cuddles are the best, but kangaroo care is more than that; it's a bonding experience that brings countless benefits, including:

🦘 Weight gain for babies
🦘 Better sleep for babies
🦘 Improved neurodevelopment outcomes for infants
🦘 Increased milk supply for moms
🦘 Responsiveness to baby’s needs for caregivers

We also shared scrumptious cupcakes with parents and teammates, thanks to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad 🧁

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us and made the kickoff so special. Let’s “hop” through this journey together, one sweet snuggle at a time! 🌟

“We were amazed. We have nothing but fabulous things to say about Levine Children’s and the care we receive in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.” – Lynsey Alverson, Charley Grace’s mom

Charley Grace, now 3, had two open-heart surgeries before she was 3 months old, and another surgery when she was 2. Looking at her now, you’d never know anything was wrong – thanks to the support from her team of cardiac specialists seamlessly coordinating her care across Levine Children’s Hospital and Brenner Children’s Hospital.

"Knowing that her doctors are in contact with one another makes us feel good," says Lynsey. "Either place is like a home for us. You don’t want a hospital to be your home, but it’s nice to feel like you have that home and that family."

Today, Charley Grace is thriving, full of energy and personality. She loves coloring, baby dolls and throwing and catching. Although she will always need monitoring for her heart, she has a bright, limitless future ahead of her.

Charley Grace, we love watching you grow up, and are honored that your family trusts your heart to Atrium Health Levine Children’s ❤️

Read more about Charley Grace 👉 https://www.wakehealth.edu/stories/patients/charley-grace
--

🎉 Brenner Children’s Hospital is now part of Atrium Health Levine Children’s! Everything you know and love about children’s care in Winston-Salem and surrounding areas is staying the same, now with easy connection to an even greater family of care

As winds down, our appreciation for nurses continues all year long! 💙 Thank you for everything you do! 🌟

Bringing hope and comfort to our patients and their families 💙

This and always, we are celebrating all our nurses for the outstanding care they provide to our community each day.

🙌 A winning moment for our patients! 🏈

Our hearts are full after Wake Forest Football players stopped by for a visit at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. They even brought pom poms, footballs, bracelets, and signed Deacon cards to add to the excitement!

The players connected with patients, discussing football, sharing stories, bringing smiles and making new WFU football fans!

A big thank you to the WFU football team for brightening our patients' day! Your visit made a big difference! 💛🖤