WakeMed Children's

12/18/2025

Respiratory illnesses like RSV and influenza are circulating in our community. While these illnesses are manageable for many, they can be serious—or even life-threatening—for premature infants, newborns, young children, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised. 🤒

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our patients and staff. Beginning Monday, December 22, children younger than age 12 will not be permitted to visit patients in WakeMed hospital nursing units, patient care areas or waiting rooms due to increased community spread of respiratory illnesses.

We truly understand that this annual visitation restriction can be difficult for families, but limiting visitation is a best clinical practice to help prevent the spread of viruses within our facilities. 🏥

To learn more about WakeMed visitor restrictions, visit 🔗 https://ow.ly/mOkn50XLy7R

12/18/2025

Happy Birthday to Petra Dorsey! 🥳 When Petra was diagnosed with stage 4 small-cell lung cancer, she refused to let fear define her story. With the expert care and compassion of Dr. Namireddy and her WakeMed Cancer Care team, Petra found strength, faith — and most importantly, hope. ❤️

Today, she’s thrilled to celebrate 70 years of life, traveling abroad with her hubby (also turning 70) to cherish this hard-fought win with family — despite the grim nature of her diagnosis. 🌟

Read Petra’s full journey of courage and hope at 🔗 https://ow.ly/71GE50Xot5Q

Petra Dorsey is ever the optimist. No matter what life throws her way, she fights back with laughter, lightheartedness and strength. Even in the face of a life-threatening medical diagnosis, she has maintained her joy and determination. While navigating a whirlwind of emotions, she has confronted th...

12/17/2025

Thank you to the many individuals, families and businesses who generously donated to the WakeMed Children’s Holiday Drive this past weekend!
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We appreciate the kindness and generosity of all the families, volunteers and organizations throughout the region. Your contributions will help brighten a patient’s day at WakeMed Children’s during the holiday season and throughout the year.
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On behalf of all the staff and families here at WakeMed Children’s, thank you and happy holidays!

12/17/2025

Four very athletic brothers decided to dive into the world sports. In preparation, their mom took them to WakeMed SportsFit — to get them cleared to play.
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Little did she know, lurking in their genes was a genetic issue, resulting in life-threatening cardiac diagnoses for two of her boys.💔

👉 Read this compelling story of two brothers that lost their dreams of playing sports, but who met wonderful WakeMed cardiologist Jason Ho, MD, who was so moved by their story that he recommended them for the Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina

🔗 https://ow.ly/uu8050XwRiJ

On February 22, 2024, Dekeita Stinson was teeter-tottering about whether or not to take her four sons to the WakeMed SportFit event. They'd signed up, but the distance from Wake Forest to WakeMed Raleigh Campus was over 20 minutes, and her boys didn't want to go. Reluctantly, she took them anyway. T...

12/16/2025

A few good laughs. One great cause. 💙

The Stand Up for Mental Health Comedy Fundraiser at Goodnights Comedy Club was everything we hoped for—and more! Thank you to everyone who joined us for a night of laughter, connection and impact, all in support of the WakeMed Foundation and our mission to transform mental health care in our community.

12/16/2025

Christmas came early at WakeMed Children's!
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A special thank you to Pilots For Kids for delivering tons of goodies and happiness to our smallest patients and their families.
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Pilots For Kids is an international organization made up of members including major, national and regional airline crew members, corporate, military and private pilots along with aviation enthusiasts. This non-profit organization's primary activity is visiting children's hospitals and bringing toys and other needed items to each child.

12/15/2025

We’re proud to share that WakeMed Cary Hospital, WakeMed North Hospital and WakeMed Raleigh Campus have all been named High Performing—the highest rating possible—on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care list! 👶✨

This recognition places WakeMed among the top maternity hospitals in the nation, evaluated on quality measures like newborn complication rates, C-section rates, safety, outcomes and breastfeeding support. 💕

With nearly 10,000 babies born each year, WakeMed delivers more little ones than any other health system in Wake County—meaning an entire kindergarten class is welcomed into the world through our system every single day. 💛

We’re honored to care for growing families across Wake County and beyond—and grateful for the trust of our community. Read the full article at 🔗 https://ow.ly/OArS50XIFAI

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 9, 2025) – WakeMed has been named among the best hospitals for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report, a leader in quality rankings. WakeMed Cary Hospital, WakeMed North Hospital, and WakeMed Raleigh Campus all earned High Performing designations—the highest ranking a...

12/15/2025

Congratulations to our previous Daisy Award Recipients!
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January 2025: Caitlin O'Fallon, RN
February 2025: Latasha Phillips, RN
March 2025: Peggy Spangler, RN
April 2025: Carly Dunn, RN
May 2025: Cindy Bradley, RN
June 2025: Christie Ferrentino, RN
July 2025: Nataly Jimenez, RN
August 2025: Ying Guo, RN
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Thank you, all — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”

12/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shucked, and supported the WakeMed Foundation’s annual Oyster Roast: A Backyard Benefit for WakeMed! 🦪✨

Your generosity helps fund WakeMed’s area of greatest need — making a meaningful difference for the patients and families we serve every day.

You can be a part of fulfilling our mission by making a gift now! Learn more at 🔗 https://ow.ly/1pnF50XH6F9

12/12/2025

🎄✨ The holidays are all about joy, family and celebration — but they can also come with a few sneaky challenges. From navigating all the festive food to keeping your home (and new pets!) safe, a little preparation goes a long way in protecting your loved ones.

We teamed up with Tahira Hyman, WakeMed dietitian, and Safe Kids Wake County to share 12 simple tips to help you stay healthy, safe and stress-free this season.

Want the full list? 🎁 Read it at 🔗 https://ow.ly/SagY50Xy9cz

12/11/2025

The holidays can be a tough time for kids spending their days in the hospital. A simple gift — a new toy or book — can make a huge difference in brightening their stay at WakeMed Children’s. 💛🎁

We’re accepting holiday toy donations on Saturday, December 13 at these locations and times:

WakeMed Children’s Hospital (Raleigh Campus)
3000 New Bern Ave — Main Visitor Entrance Drop-Off Circle
🕙 10 am–2 pm

WakeMed North Hospital
10000 Falls of Neuse Rd — Main Visitor Entrance Drop-Off Circle
🕙 10 am–12 pm

WakeMed Cary Hospital
1900 Kildaire Farm Rd — Main Visitor Entrance Drop-Off Circle
🕙 10 am–12 pm

To help our teams focus on caring for patients, please bring donations only during these designated times.

Learn more and let us know you’re coming at 🔗 https://ow.ly/B5Oo50XHt70

12/11/2025

A suddenly swollen leg, initially diagnosed at another hospital as an old athletic injury, was discovered at WakeMed Cary Hospital to be a deadly infection, poised to take Jairo's leg and, quite possibly, his life.
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Read his compelling story of a bizarre medical condition and a care team that would not give up until they found the root cause and most advanced treatment.
🔗 https://ow.ly/sZNF50X7nVn

On February 14, 2024, Jairo McMican — a hardworking husband, father of three, doctoral student and full-time employee, was in Orlando, FL, attending a conference. Sudden Pain and Swelling Suddenly, while in session, his left ankle began to hurt. "I was thinking, 'Man, did I turn my ankle or someth...