Boone C.

At 32 weeks pregnant, Jessica Clayton was diagnosed with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome – both related to high blood pressure during pregnancy. After four days of steroid treatments, Jessica needed an emergency cesarean section (c-section) at the Tallahassee Memorial Alexander D. Brickler, MD, Women’s Pavilion. On Feb. 19, 2019, weighing just 4 pounds and 6 ounces, her baby boy, Boone, was born and immediately transferred to the region’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at TMH. 

In the NICU, Boone needed oxygen support, a feeding tube and treatment for his bilirubin levels. After 19 days in TMH’s Level III and Level II NICUs, Boone “graduated” and was brought home. 

To represent the 19 days Boone spent in the NICU, the Clayton family hosts an annual donation drive to support the TMH NICU from Feb. 1-19. Over the last six years, the Claytons have been able to raise money to purchase various items, including new recliner chairs, bottles, sleep sacks, preemie clothing and more! 

Now, a happy and healthy six-year-old, Boone is entering first grade and is looking forward to football season, participating in the science fair and hanging out with his friends. He loves being active with baseball, football, biking, horseback riding and swimming but hopes one day to be an “animal doctor.” 

Amrys B.

When Amrys Bishop was almost three years old, a trampoline accident landed her in the Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center for emergency surgery. There, she received immediate attention for the fracture in her arm, receiving multiple pins to stabilize the break. 

During Amrys’ time at the Children’s Center, the staff went out of their way to make her as comfortable as possible, including giving her stuffed animals to feel safe and her favorite movie, Frozen, to watch on repeat! Amrys was able to make a full recovery after physical therapy.

Amrys’ mom, Mischa, is thankful for the medical staff’s quick action, consistent updates, and compassionate care for Amrys, making a difficult situation as smooth as possible.

Now at 11 years old, Amrys enjoys all things theater and dance. She has recently practiced her skills in a production of Little Women and plans to continue her thespian efforts this year in sixth grade. When she grows up, Amrys dreams of becoming an author.

Barrett R.

When Sarah Rice was 27 weeks along in her pregnancy, she was admitted to the Antenatal Care Unit (ACU) for fetal growth restriction and severe preeclampsia. On Dec. 26, 2021, her baby boy, Barrett, was born through an emergency c-section and transferred to the Level III NICU. 

As a sonographer for TMH Physician Partners - Maternal Fetal Medicine, Sarah is familiar with high-risk pregnancies and is grateful for the expertise of William J Dobak, DO, for monitoring she and Barrett in the ACU up until delivery. 

Barrett spent 93 days in the NICU before graduating. Due to his premature birth, Barrett developed a chronic lung disease, leading to occasional visits to the Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center. Today, Barrett attends speech, physical and occupational therapy and is growing stronger each day. 

Barrett’s story made TMH history, as he was the first “Tiny Nole” story on social media – a partnership with Florida State Athletics that highlights NICU babies born to Seminole parents at TMH. Today, at three years old, Barrett is a bright and lively kid, loving all things outer space. He says wants to be an astronaut when he grows up and dreams of flying to Mars in a rocket ship.

King P.

At 5 years old, King Peterson has been admitted to Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center more than 20 times due to his sickle cell disease. During his visits, King receives antibiotic treatments and blood transfusions to help his hemoglobin levels adjust to normal ranges. Every time he visits, King's care team works to get him back to feeling like his typical fun-loving, energetic self.

His grandmother, LaCole Horne, shared that while this journey has been challenging for King, his resilience – paired with the support of the TMH staff – has allowed him to carry on stronger than ever.

King lives for action and adventure; he does not let his sickle cell disease stop him from running around like his favorite hero, Sonic, and talking about his latest obsession – monster trucks and race cars.

Brandan F.

In 2020, Brandan suffered a traumatic ankle injury in a lawn mower accident and was rushed to TMH, the region’s only Level II Trauma Center. He immediately underwent reconstructive surgery in the M.T. Mustian Center to repair the tissue in his ankle, followed by a two-week stay in the Children’s Center.

Brandan’s mother, Birttany Dabney, recalls the speed at which Brandan was able to receive emergency surgery, and how his care team was able to help their family during such a stressful time. Brandan has been able to make a full recovery, going from a five-year-old who used crutches for 8 months to an active fourth grader who loves every sport imaginable.

Brandan says his favorite sport right now is football, where he plays running back, linebacker and receiver for his youth football league team. He hopes to one day make it on the Florida State football field—not only as a supporter but also as a player! 

Madison M.

When Arecia Shelton-Martin was pregnant with her daughter Madison, she dealt with an intrauterine growth restriction due to her own Lupus diagnosis. The growth restriction prevented Madison from receiving complete nutrition during pregnancy. Because of this, she underwent an emergency c-section at just 28 weeks in her pregnancy. 

On May 17, 2016, weighing just 1 pound, 9 ounces and measuring only 12 inches long, Madison was delivered by Alexander J. Brickler, MD. She was immediately transferred to the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she spent 85 days before graduating on her original due date. Arecia is grateful for how attentive and caring the nurses were toward little baby Madison, going above and beyond to help her thrive.

As Madison grew older, she attended physical and occupational therapy through the Tallahassee Memorial Pediatric Outpatient Rehab Center, helping her grow stronger each day.

Now, Madison is nine years old and is as active as ever. She enjoys playing volleyball with her teammates and pickleball with her dad. Additionally, Madison loves singing and dancing, participating in chorus and musical theater at school, where she is in the fourth grade.

Lawson

As a 6-month-old, Lawson was admitted to the Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center due to difficulty breathing, where he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and sent home under instructions that he should be brought back if his symptoms worsened. Unfortunately, Lawson was readmitted to the hospital when he was still having trouble breathing, spending a night in the Children’s Center. While he was too young at the time to be diagnosed with asthma, his reactive airway was monitored carefully for the coming years.

At two years old, Lawson was officially diagnosed with asthma and received the equipment and treatment that changed his and his parents’ lives. Today, Lawson does not let his asthma prevent him from being as active as any other 3-year-old. His favorite things are football, superheroes, and playing with his little brother. When he is not thinking about The Hulk, Black Panther, or Iron Man, he dreams about becoming a police officer like his dad.