Dell Children's Foundation

The Hilz family’s world took a dramatic turn when Charli began experiencing seizures at just two years old. “They pretty quickly diagnosed her with epilepsy and put her on the first of many drugs,” Charli’s mother, Mackenzie, recalls. However, it soon became clear that no medication was working. Charli was experiencing up to 20 seizures a day, many appearing as brief absences or moments where she seemed to “space out.” Things changed when Mackenzie’s aunt, a doctor at Dell Children’s Medical Center (DCMC), connected them with Dr. Dave Clarke, Chief of the Dell Children’s Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center at DCMC. After an overnight EEG confirmed that Charli was indeed experiencing numerous daily seizures, in addition to almost constant electrical discharges while sleeping, the family felt like they were finally being heard. “Our world started changing for the better after that,” Mackenzie reflects. “During that appointment, we felt heard for the first time.” Charli’s epilepsy proved to be more complex than initially thought. The seizures began causing damage to her brain, leading to stroke-like symptoms that affected the entire left side of her body. The real breakthrough came when Dr. Clarke pinpointed the cause of Charli’s seizures—a small coil in her brain that had formed incorrectly in utero. This discovery led to two procedures: A Magnetoencephalography (MEG) test located the problem and a stereo EEG triangulated the area they could safely ablate without damaging sensory strip function in Charli’s brain. “Dr. Clarke gave us our lives back,” Mackenzie says, her voice filled with gratitude. “I’ll never forget, before her surgery, she couldn’t color inside the lines. Two days after we got home, she was coloring perfectly—it was like this barrier in her brain was gone.” Read the whole story at https://lnkd.in/g_jH6wpu

When kids come to Dell Children’s for a hospital stay—whether for a few days or several months—they must pause their everyday routines like biking with friends, having dinner with family, or playing video games. These familiar activities become out of reach, even if only temporarily. They also need to adapt to new ways of socializing, interacting with others, and expressing how they feel, both physically and emotionally. Andrew Wei, Dell Children’s Patient Technology Coordinator, believes in meeting kids where they are. “Children have their own way of seeing the world, and play is their language,” he says. With his passion for technology and empathy for the kids he works with, Andrew leads Dell Children’s in using gaming and technology as a critical part of healing. “Here, play isn’t just fun—it’s essential.” Andrew joined Dell Children’s in 2021, stepping into a new role made possible by a grant from the Child’s Play Charity, a role that put our hospital at the forefront of therapeutic gaming in hospitals. With his background in gaming and technology, he was perfectly suited to lead these efforts. Partnering with tech companies, charities, and organizations, Andrew ensures the equipment is functional and Game Pass subscriptions are always up to date. His dedication has made him an invaluable part of Dell Children’s, constantly enhancing patient experiences. One of his biggest projects was installing 160 Xbox Series S systems in every inpatient room, thanks to a partnership with Dell Technologies and Microsoft. This initiative has transformed hospital entertainment, giving kids access to gaming whenever they need a break. While gaming is fun, it also provides deeper therapeutic benefits. “For many kids, video games are part of their everyday lives,” Andrew says. “For hospitalized children, these games provide a sense of normalcy.” This is especially important for children undergoing long-term treatments like chemotherapy or awaiting organ transplants. Beyond entertainment, video games and virtual reality (VR) offer therapeutic benefits. Andrew has seen how VR can reduce anxiety and discomfort during procedures. It’s now used in pain management and physical/occupational therapy, particularly during treatments like IV placements. “We’ve had patients who felt transported to another world, away from the reality of being in the hospital,” Andrew explains. Andrew is continuously expanding Dell Children’s technology offerings. Thanks to Andrew’s work, Dell Children’s is redefining patient-centered care in the modern world, proving that in a hospital, play isn’t just a distraction—it’s a vital part of recovery. Read the entire story here: https://lnkd.in/gB2WdvrE

We are honored to announce that Dell Children’s has been named in the?2024-2025 Best Children’s Hospitals?list by U.S. News & World Report, and six of our specialty programs are now ranked in the top 50 in the nation: - Neonatology - Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery - Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery - Pediatric Orthopedics - Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery - Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health To create the pediatric rankings, U.S. News gathers key clinical data from nearly 200 medical centers through a detailed survey that looks at measures such as patient safety, infection prevention, and adequacy of nurse staffing. In addition, a portion of each hospital’s score is derived from surveys of more than 15,000 pediatric specialists who are asked where they would send the sickest children in their specialty. Achieving these rankings is a tremendous accomplishment for Dell Children’s. Since Dell Children’s opened nearly 18 years ago, we have been working toward the ambitious goal of ensuring no child ever has to leave home for the care they need - regardless of diagnosis or their family’s ability to pay. Recognitions like this confirm that we are accomplishing that goal. None of this would be possible without the visionary leaders who have come from around the country to care for patients at Dell Children’s, the devoted caregivers who ensure every child is cared for, and dedicated philanthropic investors like?YOU. Thank you for helping make these kinds of accomplishments possible. We are so thankful for your incredible support.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Not all heroes wear capes.” There is nowhere that this is more true than at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Here, our heroes wear scrubs, white coats, sneakers, and stethoscopes. They’re quick as a flash when it comes to giving shots, otherworldly when it comes to executing world-class treatment plans, and supernaturally kind when it’s time to give comfort to the thousands of patients who visit our hospital every year. For the families that rely on our doctors, nurses, and staff to perform surgery, endure treatment, and ultimately heal and thrive, they truly are superheroes. However, one day a year, our heroes get reinforcements. Dell Children’s Superhero Day is more than just a fun event—it’s a day that lifts spirits, fosters community, and reminds everyone at Dell Children’s that even during the toughest times and most difficult experiences of their young lives, there are always heroes ready to lend a helping hand. https://lnkd.in/gMUKSbm2

Dell Children’s Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of three new members of our Board of Trustees. Please join us in welcoming John J. Gilluly III, DLA Piper, Amy Porter, Skylark Private Equity Partners, and Anne Teel, Dell Technologies. The Dell Children’s Foundation board is committed to raising awareness and philanthropic community support for Dell Children’s Medical Center and Dell Children's North Campus. Combined, these professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership in key areas to elevate the Board's continued support in expanding pediatric care at Dell Children’s for children and families. We are delighted to welcome these three community leaders in joining us to lift up the mission of Dell Children’s, which relies on support from the community to ensure our doors stay open and that no child is ever turned away regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Roughly 70 percent of Dell Children’s patients are underinsured or uninsured, and philanthropic support ensures Dell Children’s can continue to provide the same level of world class care to every child. For a full list of the Dell Children’s Board of Trustees, visit?supportdellchildrens.org.

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Songs Help Sisters Prepare for Heart Surgery To prepare for their life-changing surgeries at Dell Children’s, sisters Heidi and Harper Gaffney from San Antonio turned to music to help them relax. For both girls, the choice of artists was clear—Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Olivia Rodrigo. Heidi, 17, and Harper, 13, were diagnosed as infants with a genetic heart condition that thickens the heart muscle, making it difficult for their hearts to pump blood. A recent heart catheterization revealed their hearts were at risk of failing, prompting doctors to recommend immediate intervention. “Without doing anything, they would go into cardiac arrest and be unresuscitable,” said Dr. Erin Gottlieb, chief of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. Both sisters required left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to help their hearts pump blood and improve their health until they qualify for heart transplants. Given the rapidly deteriorating condition of their hearts, both sisters’ surgeries were considered high-risk. Typically, anesthesia takes 30 seconds, but for Heidi and Harper, the process required 15 minutes, with the medication administered slowly to avoid shocking their systems. To keep the girls calm, Dr. Gottlieb and her team meticulously planned every detail—from the hug zone where parents say goodbye to the ambiance in the operating room. When Heidi noted she wasn’t falling asleep, Dr. Gottlieb reassured her, saying, “Let’s listen to another Taylor Swift song.” The music played until the girls were fully asleep, allowing Dr. Fraser and his team to focus on the procedures. During surgery, Dr. Fraser held each girl’s hand, monitoring subtle changes in their pulses and offering comfort. Now back home in San Antonio, the sisters are adjusting to life with their LVADs. The sisters share the responsibility of managing their LVADs, each carrying batteries in pink fanny packs connected to their devices. “We did it together,” said Harper—a bond that only they fully understand. https://lnkd.in/gNwPgTsw

Every year, thousands of families across the country hear the words no family is ever prepared to hear: “Your child has cancer.” Once the shock of this news subsides there is little time for heartbreak. As so many of these families know, navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis can overwhelm even the most strongly supported of families. At Dell Children’s, we’re on a mission to be the support Central Texas families rely on to get through their cancer journeys. At the forefront of the continued search for a cure is our Children’s Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC). As a leading pediatric cancer care provider, the CBCC offers state-of-the-art treatments, compassionate care, and unwavering support to children and their families navigating the complexities of cancer. From groundbreaking research to comprehensive family services, the CBCC is committed to treating cancer and transforming the lives of those forever changed by a diagnosis. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this month, we’re spotlighting the efforts of our CBCC and the team of medical professionals who’ve dedicated their lives to finding cures. As a leading pediatric cancer care provider, the CBCC at Dell Children’s not only offers state-of-the-art treatments and compassionate care but also unwavering support to children and their families navigating the complexities of cancer. In honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, you can help us continue to perform groundbreaking research and offer comprehensive family services with a donation that will help the CBCC continue to transform the lives of patients who rely on them for a cure. To learn more, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gNXA6725

Dell Children’s and SXSW are both uniquely Austin, and we need your support in bringing the two together for a special opportunity at the 2025 SXSW! Please join us in voting for a #SXSW Panel featuring Dell Children's own Andrew Wei, Patient Technology Coordinator with our Child Life team. Andrew's position was funded by an organization called Child's Play?- which exists to fund technology?and gaming support positions and equipment?in children's hospitals.? They will present on this topic at SXSW 2025 - if they get enough votes on their panel - so we need your help in voting and spreading the word! Voting ends August 16th! VOTE HERE: "Gamers Revolutionizing Careers in Pediatric Hospitals" https://lnkd.in/gqgQVdtu

The inaugural Peds Cardio AI Conference, sponsored by UT Dell Medical School and Dell Children’s Medical Center, will explore these technologies and their clinical impact, both in their present and future states. We hope to see you in Austin September 5-7! #PedsCardioAI https://lnkd.in/grrrh-qR

Baby Alfie, third born son to Libby Chennell and Dr. Peter Gilbreth, was born with craniosynostosis, a condition where the plates of a baby's skull fuse prematurely, and if left untreated, a baby’s brain will not grow to its full capacity. Upon receiving the possible diagnosis just days after his birth, the family quickly scheduled an appointment with a craniofacial specialist at Dell Children’s, Dr. Patrick Kelley. Dr. Kelley was able to confirm that Alfie did indeed have craniosynostosis and explained the condition in detail, highlighting that the fused plates in Alfie's skull could impede brain growth, and surgery would be necessary within the first few months of his life. Alfie underwent surgery when he was only four months old. The operation involved placing four spacers in his skull to ensure proper growth. The support from the medical team at Dell Children's Medical Center was exceptional. The family's experience at Dell Children's Medical Center was profoundly positive, largely due to the hospital's focus on providing comprehensive, cutting-edge care locally. Having access to this world-class treatment eliminated the need for lengthy travel, allowed the family to stay together, and most importantly, maintained some semblance of normalcy that helped them recover fully and quickly. Having their support system, including the medical staff and their community, played a crucial role in navigating this challenging time. Thank you to Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships for your partnership with us to share these stories of hope and resilience through #SpiritofCaring!