11/09/2025
Born at just 27 weeks, Elias entered the world weighing less than 2 pounds. His first months were spent in the NICU, where every breath and heartbeat was a victory. Milestone after milestone marked his journey: surviving emergency surgeries, taking his first breath off the ventilator and finally learning to eat by mouth after months with feeding tubes. When Elias went home, he brought with him a trach, ventilator, and feeding tubes, but he also carried an indomitable spirit. With each passing year, Elias reached new heights—losing the trach, saying goodbye to the ventilator, and trading medical equipment for sneakers and shin guards. Today, he’s a thriving 8-year-old who loves third grade, scores goals in soccer, breaks boards in taekwondo and roots for his favorite sports teams with contagious energy.
Elias’ mom, Katie, found her calling in pediatric care after her own experience in the NICU and PICU with Elias. Having previously worked in the Adult Trauma ICU, she felt drawn to help families in similar situations and pursued a role in the Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital PICU. Katie began shadowing nurses, eventually joining the team, and dedicating the past eight years to supporting children and families at Brenner Children’s Hospital. Inspired by Elias and the compassionate care they received, Katie and her family have made Winston-Salem their new home to remain close to the hospital, cherishing the strong relationships with the nurses and doctors who have been there for every milestone. The road wasn’t easy, but every step forward was a testament to their resilience and the support of their care team.
Recently, Elias celebrated his journey as our honorary guest at an App State Football game. In true MVP fashion, Elias got to be recognized on the field, cheered on the team from the sidelines and made unforgettable memories.
