Zechia Mickler has a smile that can light up a room, but severe leg pain sidelined the dancing and music-loving 11-year-old. Her parents remembered the advanced care she received as a toddler at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). At age 1, doctors surgically repaired a life-threatening diaphragmatic hernia that moved her lower abdominal organs into her chest. A decade later, her parents knew WMCHealth could help, again.
They left their Beacon, NY home to drive to the closest emergency room — Maria Fareri Children’s Healthcare Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY. Zechia was admitted, then evaluated by a pediatric orthopedist who diagnosed her with slipped capital femoral epiphysisa (SCFE). The painful hip disorder occurs when the ball at the head of the femur slips off. Emergency surgery was recommended and Zechia transferred seamlessly to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon used screws to fix the SCFE on the problematic hip and did the same, as a preventative measure, to the other hip.
Thanks to the continuity of care at WMCHealth, Zechia left the hospital pain-free, sporting her megawatt smile and ready to dance, again.
“Maria Fareri Children’s Healthcare Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital is a big deal! It’s great to know that you don’t have to go far if your child has an emergency and that WMCHealth is always there to help. They treat all the kids like their own. Please donate to help keep this service in the community for future generations,’’ said Zechia’s mother Donnalee Mickler.
More inspirational stories from Maria Fareri Childrens Hospital:
Jessica’s Story: Mom and Twins Survive High-Risk Pregnancy and Premature Birth and are Now Thriving
Jessica Franjul-Pena is grateful for the care she and her twins, Ethan Lorenzo and Katalina,…
The Coxes’ Story: Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Helps Couple Manage Son’s Epilepsy
Adam and Ali Cox are grateful for the expertise of doctors in the Pediatric Neurology…
Chloe and Contessa Gee
Chloe and Contessa’s Story: Life-Saving Heart Surgery for Yonkers Twins Chloe and Contessa Gee of…
Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson is a partner of Thompson & Bender. Founded in 1986, the agency is the region’s premier advertising and public relations firm. As a partner in the firm, Mrs. Bracken-Thompson is responsible for a wide variety of clients representing a broad spectrum of business sectors including Fortune 500 firms; banks and financial institutions; educational institutions; not-for-profits; hospitals and health care organizations; the travel and hospitality industry; food and beverage sector; senior residential living; commercial real estate developers; environmental and business organizations, among others.
Rocco J. Pucino III is the VP/Retail Banking Officer at Ulster Savings Bank’s Kingston headquarters. In Mr. Pucino’s new role, he will is responsible for overseeing and directing the Retail Banking area by providing guidance and support to the bank’s 15 branch locations.