Patient Stories

Blaine fell when he was 2 years old and needed neck surgery, and Arnold Menezes, MD, discovered he had a cervical stenosis–the protective area around the spine had degenerated and become narrow.

“My children are alive today because they were fastened in their car seats. I had no control over the car that hit us. I know I did everything right and I still could not avoid the person coming at us head-on.” —Jessica Uhlmann

Sydney Coy from West Des Moines, Iowa explains her son's treatment after learning about the rare aggressive cancer brain cancer. "Our experience has been beyond amazing!"

At 9-months-old, Jaylee Bartleson was attached to a life support device—a left ventricle assist device (LVAD)—while awaiting her heart transplant. Find out how Jaylee's medical team helped her live a full baby life in the weeks before her transplant surgery.

"UI Stead Family Children's Hospital is the best place you never want to be. The child life specialists were phenomenal and a vital part of our team. Lilah loved her nurses so much she cried for two days before she left because she was sad to leave them." – Nicole Cisne Durbin

"Everyone who works at the hospital is very welcoming and helpful. The hospital became my second home during those 64 days and I always felt comfortable and at home being there." Ashley Morarent

"We're so thankful for the doctors and nurses who helped take care of Clara. I'd like to remind everybody that these doctors and nurses are emotionally vested in your child's care, as well. It's a team effort when hard decisions have to be made. The kind, empathetic, compassionate care we received is why we would choose to go back." Matt Tison

"Our 4-month-old son Jack stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. He was taken to a local hospital where emergency staff were able to get his heart beating again. He was then flown by helicopter to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital." – Ali and Landon

Aidan was transferred from his local hospital to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital immediately after birth when doctors discovered he was born with Pierre Robin sequence, a set of facial abnormalities that includes a small lower jaw, a tongue that is placed farther back than normal, and blockage of the airways. He spent 56 days in the NICU.