Live. Learn. & Play: An Arkansas Children's Podcast

Ever wondered how kids continue their education while in the hospital? In this episode, we take you inside the Arkansas Children's Hospital School Program, where dedicated teachers provide personalized learning to young patients. From one-on-one sessions at the bedside to group lessons and coordinating with students' community schools to manage expectations and navigate returning to school, these educators go above and beyond to ensure every child stays on track. Hear their inspiring stories, the challenges they overcome, and why they love making a difference in their students' lives.Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel!

On this episode of Providing Pediatrics, Charles sits down with flight nurse Matthew Whaley of Angel One Transport here at Arkansas Children's to discuss delivering newborns in the pre-hospital setting. They discuss when to stop and deliver versus when to transport, specific equipment needed for delivery, emergent concerns that may arise and what to do about them, as well as an in-depth discussion around the resuscitation of the neonate in the pre-hospital setting. 

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Braden, the 3D Print Lab Manager at Arkansas Children's Hospital, to explore how cutting-edge 3D printing technology is transforming pediatric care.

In this episode of the Arkansas Children's Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow podcast, host Ryan Howard sits down with Andrew Ghrayeb, a music therapist at Arkansas Children's Hospital. They discuss the transformative power of music therapy in pediatric care, how it aids in motor skills, speech recovery, and emotional well-being. Andrew shares insights on working with children across various units, from rehabilitation to the NICU, and offers a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a music therapist. Learn about the role of music therapy, its benefits, and the dedication behind the scenes in improving the lives of young patients.Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the healing power of music!

In this episode of Providing Pediatrics, host Charles Wooley talks with Brian Eble, MD, Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine at Arkansas Children's about a variety of cardiac emergency topics. Dr. Eble serves as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Exercise Laboratory at ACH and the education coordinator for the medical students and pediatric residents rotating through cardiology.   Topics include cardiac emergencies in sports, having a plan for when those cardiac emergencies happen, and a breakdown of the high profile case of Damar Hamlin, NFL player who had sudden cardiac arrest in a game. Dr. Eble also answers viewer questions.Brian Eble, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Pediatric Cardiology section of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), practicing at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH). Dr. Eble received his MD in 1999 from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He completed his pediatric residency at ACH and UAMS in 2002 and spent an additional year as a pediatric critical care fellow at ACH. He then completed his pediatric cardiology fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in 2006.Dr. Eble returned to ACH in July 2006 following completion of his formal training. He is board-certified in pediatric cardiology. He is a member of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine. His clinical interests include pediatric cardiac intensive care and pediatric exercise stress testing. Research interests include hemodynamic monitoring of perioperative patients following cardiac surgery and serial exercise testing in patients with palliated or corrected heart disease. #pediatriccardiology #ArkansasChildrens #ArkansasChildrensHeartInstitute #cardiology #pediatriccardiologists #pediatriccardiologysurgery #hearttransplant #cathlab #heartmurmur #arrhythmia #pediatriccardiologycare 

In this episode of "Providing Pediatrics," Charles Wooley sits down with Dr. Todd Maxon to explore pediatric trauma and the trauma systems in place throughout Arkansas.

Join us in this enlightening episode of "Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow" as we delve into the revolutionary world of pediatric endoscopy with Dr. Elaine Odiase, the only pediatric gastroenterologist in Arkansas certified in advanced endoscopic procedures. Discover how Dr. Odiase's unique blend of gaming precision and medical expertise is not just improving but transforming the experience of pediatric endoscopy, offering hope and smiles to our young patients and their families. Learn about what to expect during an endoscopy, how to prepare your child for this procedure and why Arkansas Children's is at the forefront of pediatric gastrointestinal care.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Expert Guide to Eclipse Safety for Kids!  The upcoming total solar eclipse is a monumental occasion for Arkansas, marking the first event of its kind since 1918 and one that won't happen again until 2045. As anticipation builds, so does the responsibility to protect our children's delicate eyes. Dr. Laura Sisterhen, a pediatrician at Arkansas Children's Hospital, offers expert advice on the latest episode of Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow on how to view the eclipse safely during this historic spectacle. Her passion for eclipses makes her eclipse safety tips invaluable for families looking forward to the 2024 solar eclipse.#Eclipse #Eclipse2024 #SafetyTips #Safety

This week we had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Sade Francois to find out how she and the rest of the team at the Arkansas Children's Pine Bluff Clinic champion for the children in the community.

This week we had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Jon David Oden to find out how he and the rest of the team at the Arkansas Children's Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity team champion for the children in the community.

This special series from "Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow – An Arkansas Children's Podcast" is designed to bridge the gap for health care providers who predominantly treat adults. Pediatric care can be intimidating for those unaccustomed to it; with a mix of expert knowledge and relatable experiences, Charles ensures that no child's healthcare needs are left unaddressed.Join us as we make pediatric care more approachable and ensure every child receives the best possible care.

We are thrilled to introduce our newly rebranded video podcast— 'Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow – an Arkansas Children's Podcast.' The name reflects our mission of a healthier future for the children of Arkansas and beyond.We couldn't think of a better way to launch than sitting down with Arkansas Children's President and CEO, Marcy Doderer, who is celebrating a decade of serving the state's only pediatric health system. Doderer reflected on what she's most proud of during her tenure at AC Arkansas Children's, her experience on the “parent side of the bed,” and its impact on her leadership style. She also revealed that being president and CEO was not her first job at Arkansas Children's — as a teenager, she worked in the billing department, converting paper files to microfiche.

Is your child part of the 6-8% of kids in the U.S. with a food allergy? Knowing the signs, triggers, and what to do if it happens will help you navigate food allergies with confidence.Dr. Stacie Jones joined us for Food Allergy Awareness Week to share vital insights on managing food allergies and the exciting research her team is conducting.Dr. Jones is the director of the food allergy program at Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

With an uptick in respiratory illnesses, it's important to know the differences between RSV, flu and COVID-19 viruses and when it's time to take your child to a primary care doctor or the emergency room. In our latest Live. Learn. & Play podcast, we asked Dr. Kaitlin Cockerell, a general pediatrician at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock and assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences explains what a respiratory illness is and goes in depth on the symptoms to watch for when deciding which type of care a sick child may need. 

Endometriosis is more than just a painful period, and it may be difficult to know what's normal and what's not. 

It takes a team of experts to keep young athletes healthy and get them back on the field. On our latest “Ask the Experts”, Dr. Lauren Poindexter a non-surgical sports medicine physician at Arkansas Children's Northwest shares how she uses her own story and personal experience with multiple sports injuries, to help treat young athletes at our Springdale location.

Endometriosis is more than just a painful period, and it may be difficult to know what's normal and what's not. On the latest episode of our Live. Learn. Play video podcast, Dr. Laura Hollenbach, one of only two fellowship-trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologists in Arkansas, shares her expertise on the signs of this condition, when it's time to make an appointment for your daughter and the benefits of seeing a pediatric gynecologist. 

We all know kids and adults snore from time to time. Most of us just pass it off as being tired or exhausted. What happens if that snoring is everyday or they were not active the day before sleep? Could it be a sign of a more serious condition? Janine Amos, D.O., a Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Arkansas Children's sits down to talk about snoring and kids. She breaks down what makes kids snore, what to listen for, and when it may be time to see a physician. 

Incontinence can impact kids in various ways. From bedwetting to accidents while out and about, each form affecting their wellbeing. We talk with Sally Puckett, CPN from the Urology department at Arkansas Children's about incontinence and kids.Learn about the types of incontinence that kids experience, what is happening mentally and physically around an incontinence accident, and what parents can do to help out. 

Are you new to breastfeeding? It can be hard to know if you're producing enough milk for your baby or how long you should breastfeed. We're here to answer your top breastfeeding questions with Dr. Sarah Sobik, outpatient breastfeeding medicine specialist at Arkansas Children's.

It's Migraine Awareness Month and we're asking Dr. Joe Elser, pediatrician and pediatric headache management specialist, what parents need to know about kids and migraines. What is a migraine? What are the symptoms of headaches vs. migraines? What can be done to relieve symptoms?

Join us as we take a deep dive into fetal echocardiogram's with Dr. Elijah Bolin, Pediatric Cardiologist at Arkansas Children's Hospital. A fetal echocardiogram is a highly specialized type of prenatal ultrasound. This type of imaging study is performed to evaluate the structure of the heart of the unborn child. We discuss how a fetal echo is performed, what conditions it can diagnose in your baby, what patients it is essential for, and hear Dr. Bolin talk about real scenarios where fetal echo's catch cardiovascular conditions before birth..

The weather is warming up and kids want to spend more time outdoors.  Along with the beauty of spring, come seasonal allergies. Tree pollen, grass pollen, weeds, mold, and more will all meet your little ones outside. Dr. Matthew Bell, Pediatric Allergy/Immunology, joins us to share his tips on minimizing the effects of seasonal allergies in kids with and without using medicine. We discuss what symptoms to look for in seasonal allergies. He gives an in depth review of which allergy medications work best for each symptom, and tells us one medication to throw in the trash immediately. 

We talk with Dr. Jessica Snowden, Division Chief, Pediatric Infectious Disease to get an update on the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Why is Omicron different?  What are the symptoms and how to stay safe? When should a child return to school after having symptoms? We answer all these questions and more.

Join us as we talk with Christopher Manbeck, MD about Tourette Syndrome. What is Tourette Syndrome? What are Tics? Why do Tics happen? What is Tourette's effect on kids and their self esteem? Learn about the Tourette Clinic at Arkansas Children's, the only pediatric Tourette Syndrome focused program in the state. The Arkansas Children's Tourette's Clinic includes a Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) program with a CBIT certified therapist.

We talk with Dr. Joana Mack about types of Vascular Anomalies, how the nationally renowned team at Arkansas Children's are bringing next-level treatments to patients, and how mental health, confidence, and self-esteem can also be affected. The Vascular Anomalies Center at Arkansas Children's is recognized as a leading center committed to providing expert care of infants, children and adults with vascular anomalies. That's why parents from all over the United States and other parts of the world entrust their children with our team of specialists. We provide great outcomes, outpatient focus (reduced length of stay), telemedicine, international reputation, leaders in the field, and clinical trials.

It's not something most parents worry about, but happens more than you may think. It is possible for children to get kidney stones. Join us as we talk with Dr. Rachel Millner about how common kidney stones are in children, how parents can help prevent them, what symptoms to look for and when to see your pediatrician.

Bone marrow transplants and cellular therapies are critical, life saving procedures.  Dr. Arunkumar Modi, Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant  and Cellular Therapy program at Arkansas Children's explains how these treatments work in the body,  what a patient and donor can expect during the transplant process, and talks about building a Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy program at Arkansas Children's.At any given time, more than 250 patients are being treated for cancer or blood disorders at Arkansas Children's.  Arkansas Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Program is the only pediatric cancer treatment program in the state. www.archildrens.org

Most of the time when you are sick, you can go to store and pick up something at the counter to make you feel better, but in some cases we have patients that need more precise treatment.  At Arkansas Children's we have precision medicine, which is a personalized test to help guide treatment for your child.  Today we sit down with Ashley Chastain, Mom of Harper.  Harper has gone through our precision medicine testing.  Ashley shares her and Harper's journey with Precision Medicine and how it has impacted her and her family for the better. After talking with Ashley we sit down with Dr. Brad Schaefer, Professor of Genetics and Pediatrics at Arkansas Children's. Dr. Schaefer gives us the medical side of Precision Medicine and its benefits.

It's Volunteer Week and at Arkansas Children's we know how important our volunteers are in helping kids be better today and healthier tomorrow. In this episode we sit down with Fant and Carol, two of our longest serving volunteers at Arkansas Children's, to discuss their passion for volunteering, the impact COVID-19 had, and the special calling that volunteers feel, especially at a childrens hospital.

Organ Donation save lives. In this episode of the Live, Learn and Play podcast we sit down with Elementary School teacher and Jacob's Mom, Holly Trucks. Holly shares Jacob's story, from having kidney disease at birth, his journey with Arkansas Children's, and flourishing in life as an ever growing and curious kid; all made possible by the unbelievable sacrifice and donation from his most loving supporter, his Mom.

The power of play can help heal a child. In this episode of the pod we talk with Brianna Shannon and Sarah Frantz, two child life specialists at Arkansas Children's, about the importance of being a child life specialist,  normalization in the hospital, discuss coping methods, and explore all the facets of the Child Life Department!

"They always said I had a 99% chance of dying, so to give life 110% chance now" says our next guest on the Live, Learn and Play podcast. For our special heart month episode, teenager Camden Tucker sits down to discuss her multiple heart surgeries at Arkansas Children's, the special care her and her family have received, and how she is using art to give back to children who need it most.

How are you guys doing? What are you doing to handle the stresses of the pandemic and how are you talking your kids? We know that there has been a intense focus on the mental health of kids, parents, patients, and healthcare workers during the last year. In this episode of the Live Learn & Play podcast we sit down with Social Worker and Program Director of Good Mourning at Arkansas Children's, Greg Adams, to discuss mental health during COVID-19, advice and mental health resources for families and kids, and how in an imperfect world we can strive doing good for ourselves and others. Resource InformationArkansas Children's Support Group information: www.goodmourningcenter.org Arkansas Children's Behavioral Health Line: 501-364-4411National Suicide Lifeline: CALL 1(800)-273-8255 or TEXT 741-741

Masks, Social Distancing, COVID-19. The year that was 2020. Patients and families taking ever precaution to keep themselves and their kiddos safe. Healthcare workers, nurses, and doctors putting themselves on the front line and sacrificing their own health for those in their care. On today's Live, Learn and Play podcast we talk with nurse superhero Amanda Andrews. You may remember Amanda from our Instagram story featuring Arkansas Children's nurses who went to New York City to help with one of the early outbreaks of the pandemic. Amanda discusses her nursing experience on the front lines in New York, what she learned, and offers a look back to where we where in 2020 and the hope and optimism going into the new year.

The holidays are a joyous time of year. There's always a lot of anticipation. Getting or giving the right gift, cooking, shopping, etc. You're opening presents, you're spending time with family, you're putting ornaments on the tree while White Christmas plays through your cozy home. But for the McFerron family and their little daughter Genevieve, the anticipation wasn't a present wrapped under a tree, it was waiting for a phone call.

In life, taking the first steps can be the hardest, but with love and support from people like our next guest, putting one foot in front of the other becomes a mission. On today's episode of the Live, Learn and Play Podcast, we sit down with Carrie Andrews, Jaden's Mom, to discuss his adoption, challenges and successes, and the strength from being in a wheelchair all day to walking and talking a mile a minute.

Proton Therapy, Targeted Therapy, and innovations in Pediatric Cancer! September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month so join us on LL&P as we sit down with Dr. Joanna Mack of Hematology/Oncology at Arkansas Children's to discuss exciting and emerging tech and ways to support the brave kids fighting and beating cancer!

Going back to school, especially during a pandemic is stressful for kids and parents. We talk with Marisha DiCarlo, VP of Community Engagement,Advocacy, Health and Hope Mullins, Director of the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children's about ways to keep your kids safe when going back to school. We cover physical safety with COVID-19 and school transportation, mental health and signs that your child may be struggling, as well as online safety and trends to be aware of when using the internet.

Going into a 20 week ultrasound can be exciting, scary, and everything in between. But imagine hearing the news that your unborn child has something wrong with his spine, and that something is Spina Bifida. On this episode of the Live, Learn, and Play Podcast, we sit down with Arkansas Children's Ambassador Evan Lee and his Mom Amanda as they recount stories from Evan's diagnosis, his ambassadorship at Arkansas Children's, and his medical journey into adolescence.

Here at Arkansas Children's we know that one size definitely doesn't fit all when it comes to your child, which is why the Pediatric Sedation Team is so dedicated to providing right sized care in a safe and compassionate way. On this episode of the Live, Learn, and Play Podcast, we talk to Dana Thomas, RN III on the Pediatric Sedation team as she describes the Pediatric Sedation program at Arkansas Children's Hospital and how beneficial it is for kids and families of Arkansas and beyond. Please do not delay care. Arkansas Children's is ready to see you now.

What are the psychological effects on children during the COVID-19 outbreak? We sit down with Dr. Karen Farst, Medical Director for Children at Risk, and Dr. Nicholas Long, pediatric psychologist at Arkansas Children's to discuss how to best handle the mental and physical stresses for you and your children during this unprecedented time. We also discussed the potential for an increase in child abuse cases in the state due to families being at home more during this time. We are also so grateful to all of healthcare workers who are on the frontlines and who continue to be heroes for the patients and families they are treating. We are so thankful for you...more than ever.

Pediatric Hospitalist Dr. Rebecca Cantu joins the podcast to discuss COVID-19, where it started, how it spreads and ways to keep you and your family safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.

When we think of comic books, we think of the typical things. Soaring through the air, the capes, the symbols, beating the bad guy. You know, superhero stuff. But for the kids at Arkansas Children's their superpowers are even more page turning and for some cardiac patients the symbol on their chest makes them a superhero come to life. On this episode on the Live Learn and Play Podcast we talk with Adam Cherepski, Alex's Dad, about Alex's origin story and how he's using his powers for good.

Type 1...Type 2. One of the first things that comes to mind after hearing these words is Diabetes and the complications that come with it. Faithful, loyal, funny, witty. A true family hero. The first things that come to mind when describing Finley Kate, a precious 8 year old with Type 1 Diabetes. On this episode of the Live, Learn and Play podcast Finley Cate's mom, Heather Patterson, joins us to discuss Finley Kate's journey that led to her diagnosis, how Finley and her family are maneuvering the complicated path of Type 1 Diabetes, and how you can support and impact the diabetic community.

To protect and serve. A police officer's creed. But what happens when a devastating diagnosis attempts to take away a father and policeman's ability to protect the most important thing, his son's health. On today's episode we talk to Steve Chamness, a North Little Rock Police Officer to discuss the medical journey of his son Zach who was diagnosed as a young boy with a stage four brain tumor.

We all make lists. Grocery lists, lists of goals, and just regular to do lists. But for some people a list can actually save a life. On today's episode of the Live. Learn. & Play podcast we talk with Ruby Peeler's Mom, Betsy, about her daughter's story and about a list she never expected to be on.

A discussion with Parent Partner Jodie McGinley about the power of patient centered care, the importance of Family Advisory Boards at Arkansas Children's, and her own testimonial about her and her family's journey from heartbreak to giving back.

Teenage cancer survivor Alex Hinerman joins us on this episode to talk about the difficulty in getting diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, the battles with cancer and treatment, and the special memories of her time at Arkansas Children's.

Diagnosed in 2015, with Ewing Sarcoma, a bone cancer, Kaden Peebles understands the affects and inner strength it takes to battle cancer. This is her second battle with the disease but this time with Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia, caused by chemotherapy from her first fight with cancer. We sit down with Kaden to discuss her cancer fight and the next steps in her courageous medical journey.

Erin Johnson, Tori's Mom, sits down on the podcast to discuss her 4 year old daughter's difficult and scary journey with pediatric cancer and how Arkansas Children's made a difference in the lives of Tori and her family.