Meet our Patients
Ronald Hirschl, M.D., head of Pediatric Surgery, otherwise known as "Uncle Ron" to Emma and her family, shares a giggle with Emma three years after he performed the first of Emma's many surgeries.
All in the Family
The Leonard family now includes Mott staff who cared for the entire family during Emma’s treatment
For the Leonard family of Chelsea, there are no doctors or nurses at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. This family knows the expert clinicians at Mott who’ve guided the family through a maze of surgical procedures and medical care as Aunties and Uncles.
"Uncle Ron" and his pediatric surgery team have performed countless surgeries on Emma Leonard. "Aunt Kathy" and "Aunt Kim" supervised care for Emma during the months she spent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). "Aunt Lauren" offered Lisa Leonard and family support at a time when they needed it most, along with the entire NICU team. "Everyone we’ve encountered at Mott has done more than just care for our daughter," says Lisa. "They’ve cared for our entire family and stood by our side every step along the way."
An Early Discovery
Lisa Leonard was pregnant with twins in 2004 when a routine ultrasound indicated a problem. Her obstetrician referred her to the specialists at Mott, where an MRI revealed that the esophagus and stomach of one of the twins, Emma, were not connected.
"It was scary, but not as scary as it could have been, because the Mott staff were so proactive about explaining the situation to us and how they planned to treat Emma," says Lisa.
Lisa went into labor on Christmas Eve at 33 weeks into her pregnancy. Doctors delivered the twins via cesarean section. Mikaila was born first and although she was small, she was healthy. Emma was second and was taken immediately to begin assessments and develop a treatment plan.
The First of Many
Two days after her birth, Emma had her first surgery. Ronald Hirschl, M.D., head of Pediatric Surgery, connected her esophagus and her stomach. By early February, both girls were finally home. But Emma didn't stay home for long.
"Emma got very sick one day. When I took her to the pediatric surgery clinic, they sent us to the ER," says Lisa. "One of the clinic nurses, Jennifer Wright, walked us there. While the team worked to stabilize her, Jennifer stayed with me, answering my questions and comforting me."
After she was stabilized, Emma was admitted to Mott where she spent the next several months undergoing a series of surgical procedures. "I lost count after the 10th surgery," says Lisa.
Extended Stay
The Leonard family spent months sitting by Emma’s side, toting her twin sister, Mikaila, and her big sister, Olivia, along for the visits. Lisa’s husband, Craig, had exhausted his time off at work during the early days of the girls’ hospitalization. Lisa and Craig appreciated how the NICU nurses not only cared for Emma, but also played with Mikaila and made Olivia comfortable with all that was happening.
Emma and her twin sister, Mikaila, have such fond feelings for all the health care providers they’ve encountered in their short lives that they each have dreams of one day becoming part of the Mott team as a pediatric surgeon and NICU nurse. For now, though, they’re happy to be home and healthy.
When the doctors recommended that Emma have a tracheostomy and be put on a ventilator to help her breathe, the Leonards wanted to try other less-invasive options first. When those were not successful, Emma had the surgery. Seeing Emma with her tracheotomy tube for the first time was an emotional experience for Lisa.
"I was with Emma after her surgery when Lauren Ernst, a pediatric surgery physician assistant, came by with the surgery team on rounds," L isa recalls. "The team could see how difficult the moment was for me. They closed the curtain around Emma’s bed and surrounded me. That act of kindness, taking time from their busy day to just stand with me, meant the world."
New Beginnings
In August of 2005, Emma moved to the stable ventilator unit in Mott. The staff there taught her parents and extended family how to care for Emma. Soon after, Emma returned home. Nearly three years later, Emma only uses her ventilator while she sleeps.
The Leonards are now giving back to the hospital that gave them so much. Lisa serves on the Mott Patient and Family Advisory Council. (Read more about this Council on page 14.) Craig Leonard left his job in the mortgage business and now works in development for the University.
The care the family has experienced has also left a mark on the girls. Mikaila says she wants to be an NICU nurse when she grows up, and Emma thinks a career in pediatric surgery would suit her just fine.
"We will be forever grateful to everyone at Mott. They helped us through the hardest times," Lisa remarks. "I know it sounds corny, but we truly are living the Michigan Difference."
Visit www.med.umich.edu/mott/touch/who.html for more on family-centered care. Visit www.med.umich.edu/mott/pedsurgery for more on pediatric surgery.
For information on how you can help the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, click here to donate on-line.
