Meet Patients and Providers

Maya Kidane had a dream in her heart as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. She wanted to become a pediatric nurse. The Conway Nursing Pathway Program — created through philanthropy — made that dream a reality.

Micah was born with multiple heart defects and wasn’t expected to survive. She had three open-heart surgeries before her first birthday and is now a happy, lively middle-schooler.

Art therapy at Children’s National Cancer and Blood Disorders Center inspired 3-year-old Miles to get out of bed. He loved painting. This therapy also helped him rebuild strength and practice standing during his recovery, to get him home faster.

A few weeks after Morgan was born, her dads learned that she was deaf. A life-changing procedure and expert care at Children’s National gave her the gift of hearing and opened a world of opportunities.

Our Whole Bear Care Integrated Behavioral Health Team provides children and families with access to mental health care in a “just across the hall” kind of way during routine general pediatrician visits. Dr. Nikita Rodrigues says this means more kids get the care and support they need to solve their problems faster.

When Pryce was born, he arrived at Children’s National Hospital after an emergency at a local hospital meant it wasn’t safe for him there. Our care team kept him protected and healthy until his mom, recovering from a C-section, could join him.

Sebby weighed only 15 ounces at birth. Care at Children’s National helped him grow up to be a kid who is healthy, strong and loves the playground.

Sprout is the newest addition to the facility dog team at Children’s National Hospital. These calm, highly trained dogs spread joy and comfort to kids, families and staff. They also help with procedures and therapies to get kids back to being kids faster.

For several years, Teddy’s epilepsy and severe seizures kept him from attending in-person school and hanging out at friends’ houses. Cutting-edge neurosurgery at Children’s National Hospital gave Teddy his life back and allowed him to achieve his biggest dream: getting his driver’s license.

When Tyler was born, he received complex, lifesaving surgery from Dr. Kurt Newman, now Children’s National President and CEO. Twenty-one more surgeries would follow. Tyler, now 32, says care from Dr. Newman and his team gave him a healthier, happy life.

U’nek Clarke is a perinatal behavioral health specialist at Children’s National Hospital. She provides mental health care to new moms and helps families build stronger foundations. Good maternal mental health before, during and after pregnancy, she says, can help a family thrive for generations.

Dr. Yves d’Udekem leads innovative work at the Children’s National Heart Institute to solve the puzzles related to complex congenital heart conditions. He imagines solutions, tests them and brings them to life to make sure that “every baby and every family has the best care in the world.”

Emmy’s beautiful art, on display at Children’s National Hospital, has played a powerful role her life and healing.

Before Zariyah was born, imaging showed that her kidneys were not functioning properly. Doctors at Children’s National ― and a loving aunt who donated a kidney ― helped Zariyah grow into a happy, healthy child.

When she was pregnant with Immanuel, Alisha joined a research study exploring the impact of stress, anxiety and depression on babies in utero. She contributed to science and improved her mental health, which helped her bond with her son after he was born.