Connecticut Children’s offers a wide variety of pediatric specialties with the excellent care families have come to know — and love. Here, read the stories of three Fairfield County families and how Connecticut Children’s team of pediatric experts continues to give lifesaving care and support.
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Expert care — all in one place — close to home? No longer beyond imagination.
Beyond teamwork: Gjovana’s Story
In 2019, a very pregnant Kristina Gisonde studied two dots on her latest ultrasound. The dots represented her baby’s kidneys, and they were different sizes — not a good sign. Her doctor recommended that, soon after birth, they see a specialist at Connecticut Children’s.
When she called to set up the appointment, she braced herself for whatever — and wherever — it took. To her surprise, the receptionist suggested Danbury, about a 15-minute drive. “I remember exhaling a sigh of relief when she said there was a location so close,” says Kristina.
At six weeks old, baby Gjovana had her first of many visits at Connecticut Children’s Danbury Specialty Care Center. The imaging team performed an ultrasound of her kidneys. Then pediatric nephrologist Robyn Matloff, MD, MPH, sat with Kristina to explain the diagnosis, a swelling in the kidneys called hydronephrosis, and how they would monitor it with regular ultrasound scans.
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“I think Kali’s purpose in life is to help other people, and help shed light on a condition that isn’t typical to the Black community. To help people feel that they’re not alone.”
– Krystin, Kali and Jada's Mom
Patient stories: Fairfield County families share their experiences with Connecticut Children’s
Dr. Matloff suggested something else too. During the exam, she noticed a mark on Gjovana’s lip that looked like a hemangioma, a type of benign tumor. As an integrated health system — the only one in Connecticut that’s dedicated to children — Connecticut Children’s offers coordinated care for 30-plus pediatric specialties.
“You can tell that, even though the doctors are in their own specialties, they all know one another and have a great connection,” says Kristina. Before she and Gjovana left that day, they had a visit scheduled with Michael Isakoff, MD, who helps lead Connecticut Children’s hemangioma program.
With two diagnoses under control, Gjovana’s health journey wasn’t quite over. Later that year, her primary care pediatrician, Meredith Renda, MD, heard a heart murmur. Both Dr. Renda and Kristina knew just who to call. Whatever care Gjovana needed, she had the right team close by. All of Gjovana’s doctors have access to each other’s notes in MyChart, so Kristina never had to retell Gjovana’s story or worry she might forget something important. Even at the height of the pandemic, she was struck by the staff’s warmth.
“When I’m at my doctor’s office, people are usually grouchy,” she laughs. “We are at Connecticut Children’s at 8 a.m. and I hear the team talking to each other, and they’re jovial. There’s this camaraderie amongst them. Everyone — from the receptionist to the ultrasound techs to the doctors — all radiate the same kindness.”
Read Gjovana’s full story.
Beyond trust: Kali’s story
Krystin Sylva always says her twins came into the world like a storm. Kali and Jada were 28-week preemies born during an actual ice storm in January — at 3:33 a.m., three seconds apart.
They started life in the NICU at Danbury Hospital, receiving care from Connecticut Children’s neonatology experts thanks to an innovative Care Alliance with Nuvance Health. For the first month, Jada struggled while Kali thrived.
Then, right around the time Jada’s health improved, Kali began to have some setbacks. She got an infection that lingered, then suddenly had trouble breathing. The Critical Care Transport team brought her to Connecticut Children’s Level 4 NICU at Hartford Hospital, where she could have access to the highest possible level of newborn care. That night, she had a breathing tube inserted and was placed on a ventilator to support her lungs.
“We almost lost her a couple times. At one point, they were pumping her heart in the Isolette,” says Krystin.
The NICU team stabilized Kali, and the pediatric surgery team performed a biopsy, quickly establishing a diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease. Children with Hirschsprung’s disease are missing the nerves in part of their large intestine, which can cause life-threatening problems for small babies.
Hirschsprung’s disease is a rare condition — it affects about one in every 2,500 babies born in the U.S. — and rarer still in Black children like Kali. The usual treatment is surgery, but at less than three pounds, Kali was too little for the procedure. For the time being, her care team focused on helping her grow stronger.
Once she was big enough, Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Surgery team developed a plan: They would use a minimally invasive approach to remove the diseased segment of Kali’s large intestine and allow her intestines to function normally again. In preparation for Kali’s surgery and recovery stay, the team set up a hospital room for everyone, including a tiny guest bed for Jada and a pumping station for Krystin. Nurses who had cared for Kali in the NICU greeted her with joyful recognition.
“Kali had just finally made six pounds ― this teeny tiny baby in this big ol’ hospital bed,” Krystin remembers. “The anesthesiologist came to me and said, ‘I’ve got you. I’ve cared for a baby this size before. You’re gonna see your baby in a couple hours.’ The pediatric surgery team was truly amazing.”
Kali and Jada are now healthy three-year-olds, and as different as they are alike. Jada is organized and methodical, devoted to her routines. Kali gets to be every bit as energetic and free-spirited as she wants, but she needs regular doctor visits to make sure her digestive system is continuing to function well. The family, who lives in Fairfield, gets all this care close to home.
Read Kali’s full story.
Beyond active: Finn’s story
If it races, rolls or jumps, eight-year-old Finnbar Prenty has probably mastered it ― from skis to scooters to skateboards.
But not long ago, this kind of activity was out of the question. Finn began his health journey at another hospital in the state, where he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a condition that causes inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract. His symptoms were so severe that he was losing blood and nutrients. Between the ages of 6 and 7, he had six blood transfusions in almost as many months. He endured a six-week hospital stay and a string of emergency visits. His weight dropped, his energy flagged, and activities he’d been looking forward to ― like learning how to ski ― seemed out of reach.
Eventually, the hospital’s care team said they wanted to consult with a doctor from Connecticut Children’s, who had the pediatric expertise Finn needed.
Finn’s parents, Heidi and Declan, welcomed the second opinion.
“There is nothing worse than watching your child waste away,” says Heidi. “I felt like [the other health system] didn’t have a lot of experience with children of Finn’s age. It seemed like they didn’t have a plan.” She started Googling the doctor they had mentioned.
She found Connecticut Children’s pediatric gastroenterologist Jeffrey Hyams, MD.
Ulcerative colitis, like other types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic illness, but research is making a huge impact on how it’s managed. Connecticut Children’s Center for Pediatric IBD ― led by Dr. Hyams ― is known worldwide for pioneering this kind of research.
That’s exactly what Heidi discovered when she started her search and found a video featuring Dr. Hyams and a patient. She liked what she saw and started asking around. She spent hours online doing research. At one point, later in Finn’s health journey, she even met with a pediatric gastroenterologist in Boston to weigh her options. She talked to friends and neighbors, and then to their friends and neighbors.
In the end, she and Declan decided to turn Finn’s care entirely over to Connecticut Children’s nationally ranked Division of Gastroenterology. Everyone ― including the Boston specialist ― wound up telling her the same thing: “You’re in the best of care.” Under Dr. Hyams’ care, the new medication is working. After a year and a half of languishing, Finn is thriving. From the beginning at Connecticut Children’s, Heidi says, “Dr. Hyams had a plan.”
That involved a change to his medication, which is delivered intravenously. Happily, Connecticut Children’s Infusion Center ― the largest of its kind between Boston and Philadelphia ― was designed especially for kids. Finn’s treatments, which now occur every six weeks, take place under canopies of digital trees.
“Finn’s doing beautifully,” says Heidi. “He’s growing! He’s gaining weight. His care team always jumps up and down that he’s growing.”
As he nears the end of third grade, Finn is bright and engaging, a steady source of silly faces and sweet observations. He’s quick and curious, and in the grand tradition of 8-year-olds everywhere, always ready to clown around. From rollerblading to kayaking to skateboarding, he also has a knack for making the world his playground. He’s been known to ride his scooter into doctor’s appointments.
Read Finn’s full story.
The Westport Specialty Care Center
opens on December 15!
Explore Westport Specialties
In December, we’ll open our doors in Westport where we’ll offer a wide variety of specialties. Kids will appreciate the imaginative, welcoming environment designed just for them featuring ocean, meadow, sky and forest themes. We look forward to caring for your child, should you need to use our services.
191 Post Road West, Westport
Connecticut Children’s is dedicated to improving the physical and emotional health of children through family-centered care, research, education and advocacy. We embrace discovery, teamwork, integrity and excellence in all that we do.
FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
Contact Us
Locations
Patients & Families
Find a Doctor
Referrals
Research
Education and Training
Careers
Job Shadows & Internships
FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Cancer & Blood Disorders
Cardiology / Cardiac Surgery
Ear, Nose & Throat
Gastroenterology
Orthopedics
Pediatric Surgery
Sports Medicine
FEATURED SPECIALTIES
Make a Gift
SUPPORT US