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CHOC Children's Stories
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These are real-life CHOC stories featuring our doctors, nurses, associates and patients. These dramatic profiles offer glimpses into the complex world of pediatric medicine and underscore how CHOC provides the most advanced medical care for Orange County’s critically ill or injured children.



OUR STORIES

Dog Volunteers

Dog Volunteers
Pet therapy dogs play a vital role in the treatment of patients.


Gene

Gene
As a father and a second-generation male nurse, Gene Paredes enjoys educating new dads.


Jackson

Jackson
Jackson's Cancer is in Remission - Thanks to CHOC


Nadia

Nadia
Nadia came to us with heart failure, liver failure and kidney failure. Today we consider her an amazing success.


Mason

Mason
Emergency Brain Surgery Saved Mason's Life


Tina

Tina
"I love my job because I still get to work directly with patients but also have the opportunities to work hard behind the scenes and be part of treatment outcomes,"


Liz

Liz
Diabetes Educator Liz Beko Helps Patient Get His Holiday Wish


Nathan

Nathan
When you're only one of a handful of kids on earth to have a rare form of cancer, where else on earth would you go?


Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest helped make an in-house radio station a reality for CHOC's kids.


Garrett

Garrett
Shortly after Garrett was born, his parents received the news that he had a quadruple heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, which only occurs in about two out of every 10,000 births, and he would unfortunately need surgery once he reached 11 lbs.


Madison

Madison
Madison and her family found more than just answers at the CHOC Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program.


Sheila

Sheila
All in a Day's Work for CHOC Nurse Sheila Dunning


Nina

Nina
Nina Subramanian was brought to CHOC where doctors successfully removed her brain tumor with risky surgery.


Colette

Colette
Being a case coordinator allows Colette to be an advocate for the Cancer Institute’s leukemia patients.


Keturah

Keturah
Immediately after birth, Keturah was diagnosed with Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis making it difficult for her to breathe and eat on her own.


Dr. Chang

Dr. Chang
Renowned specialist leads the CHOC Heart Institute with the Japanese philosophy of kaizen top of mind.


Brianna

Brianna
1-year old survives nearly fatal infection


Megan, Matthew and Jacob

Megan, Matthew and Jacob
The Triumphant Trio and the Calamities they Clobbered.


Dr. Aminian

Dr. Aminian
Internationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Afshin Aminian finds his true calling


Juan

Juan
Thanks to the CHOC Heart Institute, Baby Juan will grow up to steal the hearts of many admirers.


Ron

Ron
The teamwork involved in caring for our patients makes CHOC unique, especially in preoperative unit.


Dr. Clark

Dr. Clark
Dr. Clark discovered her passion and brought it to CHOC.


Dr. Goodman

Dr. Goodman
Dr. Gary Goodman is a "Hospital Hero"


The Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks flock to CHOC to spread cheer to patients and their families.


Dr. Krumins

Dr. Krumins
Dr. Krumins remembers how it feels to be a kid.


Dr. Muhonen

Dr. Muhonen
World-class neurosurgeon, Michael Muhonen,M.D., treats his patients and their parents as though they were family.


Nicole

Nicole
Blood donations from friends and family helped save Nicole's life.


Riley

Riley
The Meuniers find answers - and life-saving treatment - at CHOC


Cesar

Cesar
Cesar Galvan is able to walk again thanks to treatment and physical therapy at CHOC.


Christy

Christy
Child life Specialist Christy Campo Makes Cancer a Little Less Scary


Janet

Janet
Janet and the rest of the After Cancer Treatment Survivorship (ACTS) team have dedicated themselves to helping cancer survivors navigate life after treatment.


Airic

Airic
Complex heart valve surgery saves boy's life.


Marcos

Marcos
Right from the start, Marcos Di Pinto, Ph.D., is involved with each neuro-oncology patient at the Cancer Institute.


Zachary

Zachary
CHOC Doctor Uses Minimally Invasive Procedure To Correct Chest Deformity


Jessica

Jessica
Jessica Oviatt is a child life specialist and has worked at CHOC Children’s since moving to California from Missouri in 2006.


Ruth

Ruth
Ruth McCarty addresses the whole mind, body and spirit of the patient through the use of alternative therapies.


Talan

Talan
Mari Smith learned that faith and trust in CHOC's NICU team - and in her son's strength - made all the difference in their journey home.


Sarah

Sarah
An ordinary trip to the grocery store becomes an extraordinary experience for a CHOC nurse - and one frantic mother


Danny

Danny
Former CHOC Patient Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Successful Transplant


Jenee

Jenee
Jenee, a two-time survivor, knows what it is like to live through and be treated for cancer as a teen and young adult.


Colin

Colin
Colin was diagnosed with rare chromosome disorder. After several months in the CHOC NICU, he was finally able to go home.


Jeffrey

Jeffrey
Multiple seizures interfered with Jeffrey's development and made him unable to walk or function.


Shanna

Shanna
CHOC Children’s Child Life Specialist Shanna clearly remembers the day she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 14.


Dr. Dhar

Dr. Dhar
Vijay Dhar, M.D. specializes in neonatal critical care, with particular interests in cytokines, nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and high-frequency oscillating ventilation (HFOV) performed at CHOC.


Sara

Sara
Sara suffered from cerebral palsy, and came to the CHOC Neuroscience Institute for treatment.


Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani's fashion sense enabled her to help one of her favorite charities--CHOC.


Julie

Julie
"I am proud that our team has been ahead of the curve in finding new and innovative ways to reach out to and treat teen and young adult patients."


Mary Ella and Justina

Mary Ella and Justina
Young philanthropists use their talents to raise money for CHOC.


Danielle

Danielle
CHOC Nurse and CHOC radio Volunteer Danielle Vasquez is a Kid at Heart.


Sophia

Sophia
The Amazing Battle of Sophia the Strong


Erica

Erica
5-year old girl survives congenital heart condition and fatal lung disease.


Maria

Maria
Maria thought her progressive scoliosis condition would confine her to a wheelchair, but everything changed when she came to CHOC.


Lance

Lance
CHOC NICU Graduate Scores a Big Victory


Lauren

Lauren
Lauren Gray describes life at "Camp CHOC" during her stay for surgery to correct Pectus Excavatum.


Cianna

Cianna
Cianna's poor vision does not dull her bright vision of the future.


Nathan

Nathan
Nathan Akiyoshi receives surgery at CHOC to repair holes in heart.


Dr. Anas

Dr. Anas
Dr. Anas feels a strong personal commitment to the children and parents of Orange County.


Mickey and Friends

Mickey and Friends
The Walt Disney Companies and CHOC share a vision of bringing a smile to children's faces.


Dr. Minon

Dr. Minon
Dr. Minon shows her strong commitment to CHOC and the community it serves.


William

William
William, now healthy and happy, became “The Best Eater” among his kindergarten classmates!


Paige

Paige
CHOC was there for the Harmon family when the unexpected happened.


Zoey

Zoey
For Zoey's mother, the fact that Hoag and CHOC collaborated to save her daughter's life is something she will never forget.


Garrett

Garrett
Bone marrow transplant to treat myelogenous leukemia causes development of Graft versus Host Disease


Leandra

Leandra
When it came time to figure out where she wanted to start her nursing career, Leandra knew that CHOC Children’s was the place for her.


Nancy

Nancy
Nancy Kuntz has been working with pediatric blood and marrow transplant (BMT) patients since 1985.


Sarah

Sarah
Sarah Birdzell only weighed 1 1/2 pounds at birth.


Sarah

Sarah
Sarah loves robots. Especially the one that saved her life.


Dr. Sender

Dr. Sender
Dr. Sender strives to give the best care anywhere.


Ryen

Ryen
Intense Feeding Therapy Frees Young Boy from G-Tube


Sarah

Sarah
Diagnosed with leukemia, Sarah gets cutting-edge treatment at the CHOC Cancer Institute.


Eric

Eric
CHOC's Music Therapist Eric Mammen Provides Unique "Medicine" for Kids


Danny

Danny
Danny Allan, RN, Brings Experience as a Patient to his Role as a CHOC Caregiver


Linda

Linda
Linda Glenn, clinical director of CHOC Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is proud of the technical skill and compassionate dedication of her nursing team.


Ryan

Ryan
Fast thinking and a quick response by the CHOC at Mission trauma team helped save a young boy's life.


Della

Della
Caitlin and Chad Calder are Grateful for Second Chances


Zoe

Zoe
A second opinion gave Zoe the chance to look forward to a normal childhood.


Mark

Mark
CIO Mark Headland keeps patients connected to what's important in life.


Shirley and Eleanore

Shirley and Eleanore
CHOC Volunteers help bring smiles to the Hospital's most intense floor.


Linley

Linley
During an ultrasound, doctors informed Linley’s parents that their little girl would be born with a cleft lip and most likely a cleft palette.


Ron

Ron
"From the first time I cared for a young child and was able to calm his fears and make the 'hurt' go away, I was hooked."


Dr. Lubinsky

Dr. Lubinsky
Dr. Paul Lubinsky Provides Intensive Care to Children - and their Parents


Dr. Yost

Dr. Yost
CHOC pediatric anesthesiologist Paul Yost, MD, has uncovered a few “remedies” to help children relax before heading into the operating room.


Christopher

Christopher
Christopher's attitude and outgoing personality helped him survive his cancer.


Nathasha

Nathasha
After being diagnosed with CCHS, a rare breathing disorder, baby Nathasha would soon prove her strength to everyone, thanks to CHOC NICU's state-of-the-art care.


Haley

Haley
CHOC Children’s focus on family-centered care speaks to Haley’s own personal care philosophies.


Cassidy

Cassidy
Cassidy started Kindergarten last July, one month after the major open-heart surgery that saved her life.


Kameelah

Kameelah
Kameelah Williams’ warm smile greets every patient who enters CHOC Children’s preoperative unit.


Christina

Christina
Type I diabetes has not kept Christina off the playing field.


Hunter

Hunter
Hunter's mom didn't plan for a premature delivery. Luckily we did.


Brant

Brant
Experience at CHOC leads Brant Whiting to make a positive difference in the lives of others


Dr. Lam

Dr. Lam
Dr. Lam went from gravely-ill child to Pediatric Pioneer.


Dr. Abdenur

Dr. Abdenur
Dr. Abdenur and his team are blazing new trails in the field of metabolic disorders - helping save precious lives


Michael

Michael
Micheal Driscoll was 15 when he was diagnosed with stage III melanoma. Today, he is in remission.


Paige

Paige
Life is an adventure for a young girl that has endured five open-heart surgeries, leg amputations and a skeletal deformity.


Nicole

Nicole
"Our jobs are heartbreaking and rewarding all at once. I know I never want to work anywhere else. Ever."


Spencer

Spencer
Spencer's 2-year nightmare ended with innovative IVIG therapy


Alexa

Alexa
Walking for the Gift of Life.


Gail

Gail
Diabetic Teen Completes Run of her Life


Jace

Jace
Young burn victim beats the odds after being given a 10 percent chance of survival.


Dr. Downes

Dr. Downes
Dr. Maureen Downes uses her experience as a working mother to help others balance work with family


Hope

Hope
After seeing pictures of herself in the NICU, Hope knew exactly where she wanted her philanthropic funds to go.


Danielle

Danielle
As a nurse in our preoperative unit, Danielle proudly provides care for our pediatric patients before and after surgery.


Kathleen

Kathleen
Kathleen Adlard is full of passion for our patients.


Megan

Megan
Megan El-Hinn was destined to be an oncology nurse. In fact, you might say that it is in her blood.


Monique

Monique
For the first 2 months of her life, Monique was fighting to survive. Today she faces a normal, healthy childhood.


Susan

Susan
"Joining the nursing team was an easy decision to make based on CHOC Children's reputation in the nursing community."


Olivia

Olivia
A fragile beginning strengthened her heart.


Rachel

Rachel
Rachel Rosenblum helps comfort CHOC at Mission (CHM) patients with cuddly bears and messages of encouragement.


Junior

Junior
Junior's mom could not afford a wheelchair for her 8 year old son, but CHOC associates made it possible.


Carla

Carla
Carla Daum has a passion for working with oncology patients.


Johnny

Johnny
Johnny knew that eventually he would come to CHOC for treatment - but not until he was ready.


Adam

Adam
Baby Survives Rare Congenital Disorder


Miles

Miles
Mother and son bond during the road to recovery.


Julene

Julene
For more than 20 years Julene Schenk has been caring for cancer patients at CHOC Children’s.


Kenta

Kenta
It all started on a beautiful spring day in Mission Viejo when Kenta discovered the perfect pirate accessory – a stick.


Garrett

Garrett
Garrett thinks he's a super hero. Thanks to the super team of doctors and nurses at CHOC, he's now a thriving 3-year-old.


Katie

Katie
Like many girls her age, our five-year-old daughter Katie Gerberding of Orange County enjoyed playing with her friends, her older brother Kyle, creating artwork and being a kid. With her bright eyes, long blonde hair and an electric smile, Katie lived a normal life of any healthy kindergartener.


Dr. Zupanc

Dr. Zupanc
Dr. Mary Zupanc is the medical director of the CHOC Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and chief of the division of neurology.


Josie Y. S. Lee

Josie Y. S. Lee
Grateful Grandmother Donates $1.5 Million to CHOC.


Kim

Kim
CEO Kimberly Cripe epitomizes those who work tirelessly for the well-being of children.


Juleah

Juleah
CHOC Children’s has been Juleah Walsh’s home away from home since 2002 when she began working at CHOC as a nursing assistant.


Dr. Kabeer

Dr. Kabeer
A core part of Dr. Mustafa Kabeer’s philosophy of care is to treat patients as if they are his own children.


Jesse

Jesse
Wishing to help kids less fortunate than himself, Jesse ran 124 miles to raise money for CHOC.


The Griffith Family

The Griffith Family
The Griffith Family hopes to create a legacy of philanthropic values for generations to come.


Dr. Katz

Dr. Katz
Dr. KatZ has grown CHOC’s gastroenterology division to better meet the needs of the patients and families


Evi

Evi
Evi embarked on a journey that included successful scoliosis surgery and the decision to pursue a career at CHOC.


Spencer

Spencer
When Spencer began having seizures, his mother had no idea what kind of battle lay ahead for her little boy.


Seth

Seth
Like most kids, seven-year-old Seth couldn't wait to grow up.


Faith

Faith
Faith doesn't let anything slow her down.


Dr. Kukreja

Dr. Kukreja
Tiny patients inspire doctor to run big race in their honor.


Amanda

Amanda
Amanda is healthy and happy after quick diagnosis and treatment by team of pediatric experts at CHOC.


Vinny

Vinny
Diabetes doesn't slow top ranked baseball player.


Ryan

Ryan
The Christopher Family's Nightmare Gets Happy Ending - Thanks to the CHOC Orthopaedic Institute.


Barbara

Barbara
Because of her family’s history of cancer, Barbara McDavid decided when she was still a little girl that she wanted to work with cancer patients.


Michele

Michele
Michele prides herself on making the surgery process less stressful for our patients and their families.


Alexis

Alexis
For many teens, senior year of high school is full of excitement, anticipation and reflection.


Amelia

Amelia
Passion and dedication are two words that only begin to describe Amelia Barragan’s commitment to CHOC Children’s patients and families.


Brett

Brett
Outstanding research efforts enable Brett to live with CF


Cynthia

Cynthia
Cynthia's passion for CHOC is evident in everything she does on - and off - the job!


Dr. Winokur

Dr. Winokur
Dr. Robert Winokur loves being a host - at home and in the emergency department.


Sawyer

Sawyer
Little Sawyer had a rare metabolic disease. Even more rare was the team assembled to treat him.


Sharon

Sharon
Sharon Bergeron leads the charge in ensuring our nurses are equipped to provide our patients with the superior care CHOC is known for.


Derek

Derek
Derek came to us with water on the brain, and now, thanks to an advanced surgical procedure, he's back in the pool.


Anita

Anita
As a member of the CHOC preoperative nursing team, Anita helps children prepare for surgeries and procedures.


Camron

Camron
Camron receives life-saving surgery after being transferred to the PICU at CHOC at Mission.


More Stories
CHOC CHILDREN'S STORIES
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Children's Hospital of Orange County is affiliated with UC Irvine Healthcare and UC Irvine School of Medicine