Pediatric Patient Stories

Dedicated Pediatric Care Inspires Their Incredible Victories

Meet the kids who make us who we are. From recovering Olympic dreams for Antonio to trusting in faith and medicine for Zoe to finding a solution to help Cora become seizure-free, AdventHealth for Children is helping kids feel whole. Our goal is to help every kid return to just being a kid, and our award-winning care is the first step. Learn more about some of our patients, their incredible stories of triumph and how we’re committed to treating not only every child but their whole family.

When Ezekiel stopped eating for a week, complaining of stomach pain, it wasn't just the terrible twos. It turned out his liver was failing. He needed a transplant, fast. Central Florida's first and only pediatric liver transplant program at AdventHealth for Children was there for Ezekiel and his family with leading-edge treatments and compassionate care. Read more about Ezekiel’s journey and how he’s healthy and thriving today.

When Antonio tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), he thought his track and field career was over. But he found hope when he met Sean Keyes, DO, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at AdventHealth for Children, and heard about the revolutionary bridge-enhanced ACL (BEAR) repair. The BEAR® Implant allows a torn ACL to heal on its own. As a leader in this innovative treatment, Dr. Keyes gave Antonio and his family confidence for recovery. Antonio is back to running track and sees Olympic dreams around the turn.

When Zoe found a painful mass in her neck, her mom Yonaliz took her to AdventHealth for Children. Our Chief of Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery, Joseph Lopez, MD, MBA, was able to remove the entire tumor. Yonaliz said she trusted God’s plans — and Dr. Lopez’s capable hands — with her daughter's life. Zoe never required any additional treatment and was able to get back to being a typical teen. Haz Click Aquí para Ver esta Historia en Español.

Cora was growing and thriving like any other child her age until she began falling to the ground without warning. After a trip to AdventHealth for Children for an evaluation and a new epilepsy diagnosis, her life was forever changed. Realizing that medication was not enough to help Cora be seizure-free, the next step was surgical intervention. Trusting the experienced and world-class team of pediatric neurosurgeons and epileptologists, Cora bravely underwent surgery. Her awe-inspiring story combines a family's hope with innovative epilepsy care to help a young girl lead the life she deserves.

Innovative Pediatric Care Ensures Kids Are in the Best Hands

AdventHealth for Children is a destination children’s hospital and leader — in Central Florida and nationally — in revolutionary care and innovative treatments for services like Down syndrome care, orthopedics, head and neck conditions, neonatology, transplant surgery and epilepsy care. In every specialty, we aim to help kids just be kids.

Lifespan Down Syndrome Program

The SMILE with Stella Tremonti Down Syndrome Clinic is the first lifespan program in the Southeast that provides comprehensive care and support for our patients and their families for their whole lives, from pregnancy through adulthood.

Learn More about Down Syndrome Program at AdventHealth
Epilepsy Center

Our expert epilepsy care team believes kids should be seizure-free. With Central Florida’s only Level 4 epilepsy center, we're here to support your family with the most advanced diagnostics, technologies and seizure treatments available.

Learn More about Pediatric Epilepsy at AdventHealth
Head and Neck Program

One of the first programs of its kind, our expert team treats a range of children’s head and neck tumors — benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) — including some of the rarest and most complex conditions.

Learn More about Pediatric Head and Neck Program at AdventHealth
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)

We provide babies and families with the highest level of NICU care and an extraordinary neonatal network through a world-class team of providers and staff in leading-edge facilities throughout Central Florida.

Learn More about Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) at AdventHealth
Orthopedic Care

Joint and bone conditions or injuries are big hurdles for any kid to face. But with our team of skilled orthopedic surgeons and revolutionary treatments like the BEAR® Implant, we’re helping more kids get back to being kids.

Learn More about Pediatric Orthopedic Care at AdventHealth
Transplant Care

We're home to the first and only pediatric transplant program in Central Florida. Our pediatrics specialists are highly trained in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplants and are dedicated to helping kids live happy, healthy lives.

Learn More about Pediatric Transplant Care at AdventHealth

Find More World-Class Care for the Center of Your World

The nationally recognized AdventHealth for Children network of pediatric specialists, programs and care facilities sets the standard for innovation, quality and comprehensive care. With more than 250 pediatric specialists practicing over 35 pediatric specialties, we're here to care for your child, no matter the need.

See All of Our Pediatric Services

Health Navigator Team — Helping You Navigate **Your Child’s Health Care**

When your child is facing a health issue, it can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to do and keep track of, and that’s on top of juggling all the regular plates of modern parenthood. Let us help. Our Health Navigators are your guides for everything from finding a pediatrician and specialists to scheduling office visits and connecting you with supportive resources. All Heath Navigator services are complimentary, and Spanish-speaking navigators are available for our Hispanic community.

Contact Our Team

Walt Disney Pavilion at AdventHealth for Children Location Map — A Network of Care for **Kids from Coast to Coast**

From the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic, AdventHealth for Children provides nationally recognized pediatric care throughout Florida. Our statewide network includes our flagship Walt Disney Pavilion at AdventHealth for Children hospital in Orlando, pediatricians, specialists, specialty clinics, emergency departments and Centra Care Kids urgent care locations — all working together as one connected team to deliver seamless, wholehearted care for your little ones.

Find Your Closest Location

Patient and Family Experience

Follow Along for More Stories of Hope and Healing

On our social media pages, you’ll find even more heartwarming patient victories and success stories that happen at AdventHealth for Children every day. Follow us to get a better glimpse into the lives of our patients and care teams and all the ways we help families feel whole.

Pediatric Patient Stories

Dedicated Pediatric Care Inspires Their Incredible Victories

Innovative Pediatric Care Ensures Kids Are in the Best Hands

Lifespan Down Syndrome Program

Epilepsy Center

Head and Neck Program

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)

Orthopedic Care

Transplant Care

Find More World-Class Care for the Center of Your World

Helping You Navigate Your Child’s Health Care

A Network of Care for Kids from Coast to Coast

Follow Along for More Stories of Hope and Healing

Dedicated Pediatric Care Inspires Their Incredible Victories

Innovative Pediatric Care Ensures Kids Are in the Best Hands

Lifespan Down Syndrome Program

Epilepsy Center

Head and Neck Program

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)

Orthopedic Care

Transplant Care

Find More World-Class Care for the Center of Your World

Helping You Navigate Your Child’s Health Care

A Network of Care for Kids from Coast to Coast

Follow Along for More Stories of Hope and Healing

Caring for Kids Is Our Greatest Accomplishment

Florida's Best Newborn Care

Highest Level for Epilepsy Care in Central Florida

Highest Quality in Surgical Care

Gold Standard in Nursing

Highest National Recognition in NICU Nursing Care

Gold Level Hospital for Infant Sleep Safety