When Stephen Bodnar was born at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital in November 2021, his mother, Megan Friend, assumed she would be bringing her newborn son home for Thanksgiving. But Stephen’s birth was unlike those Megan had with her older children. “I delivered my older two without any problems,” Megan said. “When Stephen was born, […]
Diane Bueker plans a retirement full of travel, music and fun
Diane Bueker, pediatric cardiac sonographer, wanted 2 things as a teenager: to work in the medical field and volunteer with the Peace Corps. At age 16, Diane achieved her first goal when she began working for a private practice surgeon. But being part of a service opportunity that changed lives took a lot longer to […]
Retired nurses return to work at Akron Children’s amid pandemic
After nearly 36 years of working as a nurse in Akron Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Lisa Palmer, RN, retired in April 2021, eager to spend more time with her family, particularly her 2 young granddaughters. But a few months later in October 2021, the hospital sent out a request to recent retirees asking […]
Dr. Laura Jackson is her patient families’ biggest cheerleader
The opportunity to witness the miracle of birth every day is what attracted Laura Jackson, MD, to neonatology. But now serving in the role, she’s discovered another favorite part: cheering a family on as they are discharged from the hospital after a NICU stay. Whether it’s a few days or a few months, nothing brings […]
Inclusion is key to Piper’s legacy
Some people spend years trying to find their mission in life. For sweet Piper Grace Hoefler, it took just 27 days. Piper passed away from the effects of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 0, but her legacy lives on in books about inclusion donated by her family’s charitable organization, Piper’s Key. “I didn’t want to […]
Hannah takes it all in stride
At 2 days old, Hannah Jabbour had surgery to close the half dollar-sized opening in the base of her spine, but only time would tell how spina bifida would impact her everyday life. “While in the NICU, Hannah also needed a shunt placed to drain the spinal fluid from her skull due to her hydrocephalus,” said Hilary, […]
