Authors: Ash Pineda
Since 2015, Renton-based Wizards of the Coast, a family of studios specializing in role-playing, trading card and digital games, has participated in Extra Life, a fundraising program of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Extra Life brings together tabletop and video gamers to raise money for member children’s hospitals across North America.
Funds raised through Wizards’ Secret Lair x Card drop help Seattle Children’s Autism Center to continue supporting patients and families with program development, expansion, family support and education, training and more. Read full post »
Authors: Bob Sable and Madison Joseph
Twins Juniper ‘June’ and Hazel’s mom, Katie Harmston, was the first Fetal Care and Treatment Center patient to undergo a laser ablation procedure for TTTS.
Katie and Nic Harmston were distraught as they drove to Kaiser for an ultrasound in July 2021. Katie was six and a half weeks pregnant but was experiencing symptoms of a miscarriage. They both feared the worst.
The Harmstons held their breath as the ultrasound began. After a moment, the sonographer smiled and said, “We have a heartbeat.” Katie and Nic were nearly overwhelmed with relief. Then the sonographer said something unexpected.
“Hold on — there are two heartbeats!”
“We were shocked to find out it was twins,” Katie says. “I just started crying and laughing.”
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Authors: Ashley Speller
Across the country, children both young and old are preparing to celebrate another evening of Halloween, filled with costumes, activities, sweet treats and fun with friends. In fact, in 2021 alone, over 42 million kids between the ages of 5 and 14 went trick-or-treating, according to the latest data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau.
But beyond the one night that adults will undoubtedly spot child-sized creepy crawlers scurrying along the sidewalks and near brightly decorated homes and in doorways, many actual insects and arachnids are also lurking all year long.
Parents and caregivers often have questions about what to do if their child gets bit or stung, and when to watch for signs of infection. On the Pulse compiled some resources below to help families stay safe and healthy.
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Authors: Ashley Speller
Back-to-school is in full swing and with each new school year often comes new questions for many parents about their child’s health. For children with health conditions, understanding when and how to best communicate with teachers and school staff about a child’s medical needs, determining the proper amount of information to disclose, and identifying the right programs and services for students who need specially designed instruction or accommodation plans is important but can sometimes be puzzling.
Dr. Ashley Moss, a pediatric psychologist at Seattle Children’s, shares some key advice on how parents and caregivers can talk about their child’s health conditions at school.
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Authors: Casey Egan
Flu season is here. Dr. Annika Hofstetter, whose research focuses on pediatric and adolescent vaccination, especially in high-risk populations, answered a few questions parents may have about the flu vaccine this year for On the Pulse.
Hofstetter is co-leader of the Maintenance of Certification Influenza Vaccination Project at Seattle Children’s and is a member of the Seattle Children’s Influenza Steering Committee.
Beginning Oct. 3, patients can get a flu vaccine during their visit at Seattle Children’s, including at a clinic appointment, urgent care or emergency department visit, or during hospitalization.
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Authors: Ashley Speller
A child enjoys the new outdoor space at the Tiny Tots Development Center in Othello Square
A new outdoor space focused on nature-based learning is the newest addition to the 98118 ZIP code in Southeast Seattle’s Othello Square, one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the United States.
The Tiny Tots Development Center opened the first-of-its-kind outdoor classroom just before the start of the new 2022-2023 school year, funded by grants from Seattle Children’s and the PNC Foundation. The new open-air teaching space features trees, raised garden beds, natural bench seating, and hands-on activities that promote sensory-focused learning, and is part of a larger urban renewal effort in a historically underserved area with limited natural spaces.
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Kathryn Mueller
A three-part series featuring the medical directors at OBCC focused on integrating care and building community together
Christen Nicole Manangan, PHD
This is part three of a three-part series. In prior weeks, On the Pulse featured Dr. Kenisha Campbell and Dr. Kari Sims.
As a Pacific Northwest native, Dr. Christen Manangan always dreamed of working in the Seattle area.
“Seattle has always been my home,” Dr. Manangan said. “My hope, my dream, was always to serve the Seattle community.”
She joined the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) nearly six years ago and now as the Behavioral Health Director, she feels honored to be a leader at a clinic with such an exciting future ahead.
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Authors: Madison Joseph
Carlos Vives (left) and Nicolas Fernandez, MD, PhD, leader of the Spanish Urology Clinic at Seattle Children’s
Read in Spanish below. Leer en Español más abajo.
Carlos Vives, Colombian singer, songwriter and actor, paid a special visit to Seattle Children’s on Tuesday, September 20 to learn about our efforts to provide inclusive care for children and patient families whose first language is Spanish.
Vives has been an international figure for decades and is widely celebrated across the globe for his recent performance of ‘Colombia, Mi Encanto’ in the Disney movie ‘Encanto.’
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Authors: Ashley Speller
Every year, people around the country observe September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to shine a light on mental health care and bring awareness to suicide, a topic many find difficult to discuss.
Dr. Alysha Thompson, the clinical director and psychologist on the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit (PBMU) at Seattle Children’s, shares ways that parents and caretakers can support children and teens, and enable families to engage in meaningful and supportive discussions about suicide together.
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Authors: Ashley Speller
A three-part series featuring the medical directors at OBCC focused on integrating care and building community together
Kari Ann Sims, DDS, MSD
This is part two of a three-part series. Last week, Dr. Kenisha Campbell was featured. Next week, On the Pulse introduces Dr. Christen Manangan.
When Dr. Kari Sims walks through the clinic doors of Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) everyday, she’s inspired by the patients and staff.
“I knew OBCC was a special place,” Dr. Sims said. “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to stay at OBCC after residency.”
Dr. Sims joined OBCC as a University of Washington pediatric dental resident and later came on board as a per diem dentist in 2014. She was appointed the dental director of OBCC in 2019 as the new Othello clinic location was taking root. From vision boards to seeing the doors open for the first time, Dr. Sims viewed it as a tremendous gift to be a part of the project and help make an impact on how the clinic would come to fruition.
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