The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP

12/05/2025

We’re proud to celebrate our very own Dr. Holly Hedrick, who was honored at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region Champions of Hope event with the Dr. Audrey E. Evans Award of Excellence.

A true pioneer in fetal and pediatric surgery, Dr. Hedrick has transformed what’s possible for babies with the most complex conditions, from congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and conjoined twin separation to breakthrough fetal therapies that are rewriting standards of care. As the leader of Pulmonary Hypoplasia Program, she established the model of care emulated across the country, offering specialized support for children with severely underdeveloped lungs.

Dr. Hedrick’s leadership echoes Dr. Audrey Evans’ legacy, and her impact continues to shape the future of fetal surgery.

Members of our team were grateful to join the celebration that served as a special opportunity to recognize Dr. Hedrick’s extraordinary impact alongside the families, colleagues, and partners who support this work every day.

We’re thankful for our long-standing partnership with Ronald McDonald House, which plays an essential role in making care possible for our patient families traveling from across the country and around the world.

11/27/2025

From our fetal family to all of yours, we are so thankful for you today. Sharing some more amazing photos from our 29th annual Lori J. Howell Fetal Family Reunion!

11/21/2025

This past week our team represented our Center at the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet) Conference in Chicago! It was a great opportunity to share research updates and meet with fetal medicine colleagues from other hospitals.

Did you know that here at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia we manage NAFTNet’s fetal myelomeningocele (MMC) collection, which combines patient outcomes data from all NAFTNet centers. The results of this research help all NAFTNet centers learn more and continue to improve patient care.

The team even made sure to end the day with a piece of famous Chicago pizza!

11/19/2025

We are pleased to welcome Mara Rosner, MD, MPH as a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist/Fetal interventionalist. Dr. Rosner joins us from the Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy where she specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of complex fetal conditions, with particular expertise in fetal surgical interventions, twin pregnancies, neurosonography and first-trimester diagnosis.

Help us welcome Dr. Rosner, and learn more about her, below!

Mara Rosner, MD, MPH, is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and Special Delivery Unit at CHOP. Dr. Rosner is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist in the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) and Garbose Family Special De...

11/17/2025

In October, Ruth Colket, one of our Center’s most steadfast partners, hosted a celebration in honor of our 30th anniversary. CHOP leadership and generous Center supporters, including the Wood and Garbose families, gathered to celebrate this remarkable milestone. It was a beautiful evening to reflect on the 35,000+ families we have been able to help! Read more about the history of our Center: https://www.chop.edu/news/q-and-a-trailblazer-n-scott-adzick-md-mmm

11/17/2025

This year’s Cheers for CHOP, an unforgettable evening of music, live entertainment, delicious bites and an incredible silent auction, is benefiting our Center! More than 35,000 families have turned to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia when their unborn baby needed treatment. By supporting this event, you will help fund bold science, compassionate care and the next generation of fetal therapies that will transform lives.

Learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6182tzCeQ.

11/14/2025

This past weekend, two of our fetal therapy coordinators Ellyn Rebecca, MA, RN and Stefanie Kasperski, MS, LCGC, attended CHOP’s Walk of Fame, celebrating employees who have 25 years or more of service. Stefanie celebrated 25 years and Ellyn was honored for 45 years.

Please join us in celebrating their CHOP anniversaries!

11/13/2025

It’s Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day!

We’re celebrating our incredible team of prenatal genetic counselors who bring compassion, clarity, and expertise to every family they meet. Dedicated exclusively to fetal patients, our counselors make up one of the most comprehensive teams of its kind in the nation.

From assessing risk factors and guiding genetic testing to helping families navigate complex information with confidence, they turn knowledge into empowerment every day. We’re so grateful for their care, heart, and unwavering commitment to the families we serve, today and every day!

11/12/2025

Before Emily was even born, doctors discovered she had a large tumor on her tailbone called a sacrococcygeal teratoma. Emily’s mom, Eleanor, transferred their care to our Center and Emily was born in our Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit. A specialized fetal team safely removed the tumor, saving her life and Emily left the hospital a month later as a healthy, happy baby. Now 13, Emily is an outgoing, kind and fun big sister who loves singing, the theater, playing volleyball and listening to music.

Join us at the inaugural I ❤ CHOP Run, Walk & Virtual Challenge, presented by Philadelphia Insurance Companies, on April 26, 2026 to support patients like Emily. For those who want to participate remotely, I ❤ CHOP will continue in May with a month-long virtual activity challenge. Help create health futures by registering today: http://ms.spr.ly/6183tJN1F.

11/07/2025

Congratulations to Suzanne Debari, BS, RDMS, who was nominated for her exceptional care of a patient family and received The POPPIES Award this week! The POPPIES award recognizes those staff members who demonstrate the Power of Positive People in Excellent Service (POPPIES). Thank you, Suzanne, for all you do!

Learn more about our POPPIES award here: http://ms.spr.ly/6180tJQzE.

11/07/2025

Catherine and Casey were ecstatic when they learned they were expecting after a long IVF journey.

But at 13 weeks, they received difficult news — their baby, Amelia, had a giant omphalocele, a rare birth defect where some organs develop outside the body in a thin sac. The family’s doctor in the Cayman Islands knew Amelia would need highly specialized care not available locally.

Determined to give their daughter the best possible chance, Catherine and Casey turned to our Center, where they found the expertise — and hope — they were searching for.

Amelia’s journey began with a rare and complex birth defect. Thanks to expert care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she has overcome incredible challenges.

11/05/2025

This Halloween, the N/IICU team helped our tiniest patients enjoy their very first costumes and festivities, bringing joy to both babies and families. We know how meaningful these moments are for families.

Check out this People article highlighting our amazing Child Life Specialists and tiniest patients, below!

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) dressed young NICU patients up to celebrate Halloween. Some festive costumes included a bunny and a pumpkin, as well as twins dressed as ketchup and mustard.