Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital patient testimonials

Overview

Read the inspiring stories of our former patients and the high-quality care they received close to home from the compassionate, experienced care team at the Piedmont Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital.

 

Jordan Givens

Five-year-old Jordan Givens delt with a severe case of pneumonia and was admitted to the Bill and Oliva Amos Children's Hospital in Columbus. Things took a turn and she had to have three chest tubes inserted and she had to be intubated to help with her breathing.

Jordan’s family was grateful she could stay here in her hometown to receive this high level of care. Jordan’s parent’s, Ebony and Alex, says all the staff— from doctors and surgeons to the housekeepers and security guards - were so kind and positive! She remembers staff giving Jordan books and toys to help pass the time and even got her food and clothing one day. Ebony said she felt like they were all family.

Jordan is doing much better and getting back to her normal self - something her mom credits the compassionate care at Piedmont!

 

Wesley Cunningham

Parts of toddler Wesley Cunningham’s body were swelling as he was dealing with a worsening upper respiratory infection. Pediatrician Dr. Hampton Vernon knew this was something serious and admitted him to the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital at Piedmont Columbus. Pediatric hospitalist Dr. Nadiya Zafar further evaluated Wesley and diagnosed him with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney condition. He was stabilized and transferred to an Atlanta-area hospital for further specialized care. Now that Wesley is home, he needs weekly outpatient steroid infusions.

The Cunningham family is thankful his care plan can continue right here at home in Columbus instead of having to travel to Atlanta. Wesley’s parents say it’s a big blessing as they have another young child at home to care for. They’re grateful for Dr. Zafar, nurses Clair, Carson, Bailey and the entire Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital team for their compassionate care and swift diagnosis of a unique disease.

 

Leah Beal

Leah Beal was injured in an ATV accident on New Year’s Day while spending time with a friend. She was transported by helicopter from Notasulga, Alabama to the Bill and Olivia Amos Children's Hospital in Columbus. She’s endured a tough road to recovery, going on nearly ten surgeries due to a near amputation of her right leg. Surgeons are trying to return feeling to her leg so she can be more mobile.

Leah’s mom, Rebekah, has four children and this is their first time with a hospital experience. Rebekah says it has been a positive experience each time Leah has come back for surgeries. She credits the doctors, nurses and certified child life specialist for helping keep Leah going. Abigail from child life made her a cute daily checklist of things to keep her motivated and lift her spirits. Rebekah says the busy doctors make time for the children, even if they’re not the assigned doctor for the day. Dr. Subhendu De dropped by Leah’s room one day just to spend time with her and check in. Then when Leah got to go home following surgery, Dr. De helped the family to their car and got Leah get settled in.

 

James Ebel

Three-year-old James Ebel was transferred to the Piedmont Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital in Columbus by ambulance from a South Georgia hospital for what was thought to be appendicitis.

James’ mother, Kelly, said Pediatric Hospitalist Dr. Nadiya Zafar really dug into the problem after seeing concerning lab results. James was actually suffering from severe dehydration and a bowel obstruction. Kelly, who was approaching her pregnancy due date at the time, says the entire care team did a great job calming her nerves so she wouldn’t get overwhelmed. James stayed one night in the hospital, and he was able to return home.

Today, James is doing well and is enjoying being a big brother!

 

Arrington Walker

"To everyone who cared for my son, from the Piedmont Columbus Midtown Pediatric ER, registration,  Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital nursing staff, Chris Franklin - unit secretary, Resa Lord- clinical manager, Kendra- patient care technician, Payton Freeman- nurse, surgery team, Physical Therapy, my Patient Experience family and everyone behind the scenes, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"You did more than treat my son’s injury. You cared for him as a person, comforted him when he was afraid, made him laugh and smile, and supported me as his mother during one of the scariest moments of our lives."

"We will never forget the kindness, patience, encouragement, and love shown to our family. Thank you for taking such amazing care of my baby and reminding me why the work we do every single day matters so much."  - Alexis West

 

Emma Bleke

In March 2024 Emma Duke Bleke had a bump in her eye. After going to specialists in Atlanta and Philadelphia, she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. She quickly underwent surgery to remove the cancer and underwent six months of aggressive chemotherapy treatments. The Bleke family’s lives were quickly uprooted with mom, Campbell, staying with Emma Duke in Philadelphia and father, Michael, staying in Columbus to care for Emma Duke’s two brothers. Emma Duke got to ring the bell in October 2024!

She still needed to get antibiotic infusions every 30 days for a few months after her treatments ended. Thankfully, the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital had just opened in Columbus! The family could now drive 5 miles for Emma Duke’s infusions versus catching a flight to Philadelphia. Campbell says the doctors, nurses, child life specialist and rest of the care team have been so wonderful, loving and accommodating to her family - which is just what they needed after a stressful time. Emma Duke is now finished with infusions and back in school enjoying being with her classmates, reading and playing ping pong any chance she can.

 

Eli Willis

Eli Willis was transferred from a local emergency room to the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital at Piedmont Columbus Midtown after his appendix ruptured— resulting in a severe infection in his abdomen. Dr. Don Nakayama and the pediatric surgery team performed an emergency appendectomy.

Eli’s mother, Shannon, was grateful they were able to stay in Columbus and receive high-quality pediatric care close to home, something she doesn’t take for granted after having to previously travel out of town when one of her two other children got sick. Shannon is grateful for the doctors, nurses and staff who made a scary situation not too bad. She was thankful for all the staff being so attentive to her and her son’s needs. Eli’s favorite part was playing the Nintendo Switch mobile gaming system from the comfort of his hospital room so he could better recover. After 8 days in the hospital, Eli is back home and looking forward to playing baseball and running cross country!

 

Colter Hostetter

Newborn baby Colter was at Martin Army Community Hospital on Fort Benning for a checkup after having low oxygen levels. He suddenly turned blue and was emergently transferred to the Piedmont Columbus Midtown Pediatric Emergency Department for a higher level of care. A spinal tap revealed he had bacterial meningitis and was admitted to the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital where he stayed in the Pediatric ICU for a few weeks. Colter’s parents were so thankful for Dr. Andrew Stack as he did a great job explaining what was going on as Colter had to be intubated for better breathing and placed on antibiotics. The military family said all the caring and compassionate nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors didn’t miss a beat, catching the issue early.

Colter is doing well today and quickly approaching a year old!

 

Madison Elliott

Twelve-year-old Madison Elliott enjoys playing basketball. During the season her family noticed she was having a difficult time keeping up and was complaining of joint pain. A pediatric orthopedist diagnosed her with Jumper’s Knee, sidelining her for the rest of the season. She was then having abdominal pain and unable to walk up steps without getting dizzy. Dr. Praveen Singh with Piedmont Pediatrics at Midtown Columbus ordered labs, which noted she was anemic and doctors advised she needed to go to the Pediatric Emergency Department at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown. Madison’s mother, Desire, says she received prompt care— receiving a blood transfusion. She was soon admitted to the Bill and Olivia Amos Children's Hospital where staff performed an actual head-to-toe exam, something Desire says she’s never seen before. Madison then underwent a colonoscopy, and doctors diagnosed her with Crohn’s disease. She now utilizes outpatient infusion services at the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital to help manage her chronic condition.

Desire appreciated how team members provided compassionate, patient-centered care by not talking over Madison but speaking directly to her on a level she could understand— which made everyone feel comfortable. The certified child life specialist helped Madison start a Lego collection, something she continues to expand and show off to people that visit her at home. Child life also connected Madison with a camp just for kids with Crohn’s or IBS, and her family is also receiving educational information on living with this chronic condition.

The Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital at Piedmont Columbus is proud to be a regional destination for high-quality pediatric health care. Madison’s family is thankful for the care team that treated her from admission, diagnosis, surgery and condition management.