July 28, 2015

72915Zarutski640As a child, we’ve all asked ourselves this question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”

For Dr. Paul Zarutskie, the newest team member to join the Family Fertility Center at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, his interest in reproductive medicine happened unexpectedly.

As a young teenager, Zarutskie dreamed of becoming a pilot and aeronautics engineer who designed missiles. When he was awarded a high school grant to intern in a lab in Philadelphia, a blunder in the paperwork misassigned him to a reproductive endocrinology lab.

“I wasn’t disappointed at all,” Zarutskie said. “The science was so fascinating to me, that I never looked back. I knew this was my calling.”

Since that inspirational moment in his youth, Zarutskie finds tremendous joy helping infertile couples achieve their dream of starting a family. As a tireless patient advocate, pioneering researcher and renowned contributor to the field of reproductive medicine, Zarutskie has devoted much of his career to advancing cutting-edge fertility treatment technologies to help patients achieve the best pregnancy outcomes.

As a reproductive endocrinologist for more than 30 years, Zarutskie has developed innovative treatment protocols, drugs, devices and laboratory procedures, including intracytoplasmic sperm injection and cryopreservation, a technique that freezes and stores sperm and eggs to protect the ability of couples to conceive in the future. Zarutskie was also one of the first infertility specialists in the United States to introduce preimplantation genetic screening services into clinical practice that examines embryos for inherited genetic abnormalties, which in turn, can help identify the healthiest embryo for transfer.

Zarutskie earned his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College, Drexel University, followed by an OB/GYN residency at Duke University Medical Center and a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He served most recently as chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Washington in Seattle.

After making the 2,343-mile trek to Houston, Zarutskie is thrilled to join such a reputable team of physicians, nurses and staff who share his same passion at the Family Fertility Center.

“I have known Dr. William Gibbons for a very long time and I am impressed with the incredible work being done here, particularly in the area of genetics and reproduction,” said Zarutskie, who is also an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. “I am privileged to be part of this amazing team and continue to pursue my passion of helping would-be parents achieve their dream of having a baby.”

Beyond the in-depth knowledge and expertise Zarutskie brings to the Family Fertility Center, his approach to patient care helps couples find comfort knowing there is hope beyond infertility issues.

“Dr. Zarutskie is incredibly compassionate and personable, but very intelligent in explaining why I am having trouble getting pregnant,” said Family Fertility Center patient Katie Walford, who was referred to Zarutskie after her friend had successful IVF treatment with him 20 years ago. “I wanted to go with someone who I could trust.”

Besides seeing his patients, Zarutskie has published numerous scientific research articles in prestigious national and international fertility journals. Currently, he is collaborating with research colleagues to explore how obesity and metabolic issues affect oocyte retrieval, as well as how genetic markers are better defining the window of embryo implantation to improve fertilization outcomes.

“I am delighted to have someone of Dr. Zartuskie’s experience and reputation join our Pavilion for Women family,” said Dr. William Gibbons, director of the Family Fertility Center and chief of reproductive endocrinology services at Texas Children’s. “He has the skill set and the experience to enrich our practice and help us continue to provide exceptional care to our patients.”

Click here to watch a video tour of the Family Fertility Center. If you have questions, want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zarutskie or Dr. Gibbons, or learn more about the benefits available to full-time Texas Children’s Hospital employees, call Ext. 6-7500.

June 16, 2015

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By Janielle Harrison

In less than a month, my husband, Terrence, and I will welcome the arrival of our precious daughter, Addison, at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. Her expected delivery date is July 24.

While most mothers-to-be discover their expecting after taking a simple home pregnancy test, that wasn’t the case for me. I never knew I was four weeks pregnant until my husband took me to the emergency room because I was having dizzy spells, feeling lightheaded and my blood pressure spiked. While I was waiting for my X-rays and blood test results to come in, Terrence and my 8-year-old son Dramodd stepped away to get something to eat. When they came back with their McDonald’s bags clutched in their hands, I broke the exciting news, “We are expecting!”

My husband was completely shocked and excited at the same time, and so was I. Immediately, he called his mom and dad to tell them the exciting news that they’d be grandparents! My son’s immediate reaction was, “Mom, you’ve been pregnant all this time and you didn’t know it?” I think he was saying my belly was getting slightly “bigger” like a pregnant person.

bwatchAs my due date approaches, my last trimester is going pretty smoothly. The first few months of my pregnancy was tough since I couldn’t hold anything down. I was severely dehydrated and my OB/GYN Dr. Carla Ortique had me admitted to the Pavilion for Women where I stayed overnight to receive intravenous fluids and anti-nausea medication. The nurses took excellent care of me. I am still taking medication for high blood pressure and visiting Texas Children’s Maternal Fetal Center every week to monitor my baby’s growth and development.

As we prepare for our daughter’s homecoming, my husband and I finished decorating Baby Addison’s nursery with princess and frog theme colors: mint green, lavender and chocolate brown. So many of our family members have showered us with beautiful gifts for Addison and they are so excited to meet our little princess.

I haven’t packed my hospital bag yet, but I am working on it. I expect to have everything ready to go by July 1 in case Addison decides to make her debut ahead of schedule.

May 19, 2015

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By: Dr. Charles Fraser, Jr.

It’s hard to imagine how precious the bond between a grandparent and grandchild is until it is personally experienced. For my wife, Helen, and me, that unforgettable moment occurred on April 10, 2015.

It all started with an early morning wake-up call from our son-in-law, David, who told us Laura was having contractions and suggested we head to the hospital. At 1:30 a.m., Helen and I – and several of our family members – hurried to Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women where we waited anxiously for the birth of our first grandchild. I say “grandchild” because none of us knew – nor did Laura and David know – whether they were having a boy or a girl…..until three hours later.

fraserAfter much anticipation, Laura gave birth to our adorable grandson, George Henry Nachtigall, at 4:40 a.m. He weighed 8 pounds and 14 ounces. When we visited Laura and David in the labor and delivery room, our hearts melted when we laid eyes on our grandson for the first time. We were overjoyed as we took turns cradling him in our arms. We were so happy for Laura and David to become new parents, and we were thrilled to assume our new roles as doting grandparents to George Henry.

What made this a truly remarkable experience was watching the outstanding care Laura received from her team of physicians and nurses at the Pavilion for Women. While it’s very rare for me to be on the labor and delivery floors – I am in the NICU a lot – I was overwhelmed by the nurturing atmosphere and the family-centered care my daughter received during her stay. Helen and I were so impressed that we sent an email to Texas Children’s CEO Mark A. Wallace chronicling our daughter’s experience and our experience at the Pavilion for Women.

The Pavilion for Women is truly an amazing place. Before its historic opening in 2012, I remember the early dialogues and the meticulous planning that went into building such a wonderful state-of-the-art facility. From a gaping hole in the ground, I watched the entire construction progress from my 19th floor office window in West Tower. Since my grandson’s birth, I’ve gained a new appreciation of why so many families, like my own, choose to deliver their babies at the Pavilion for Women.

My grandson, George Henry, is a little over a month old now. As a new grandfather, it’s fun thinking about all the things this little guy has brought to our family. He is such a joy to be around, and he is definitely the center of attention for me and Helen. George Henry’s great grandfather, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, adores him too.

Laura and David are doing well. They are learning how to be new parents and we’re learning how to be new grandparents, and as you can tell, we love every minute of it.

April 14, 2015

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Surrounded by Disney’s “Frozen themed party decorations and pink and purple birthday hats, Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata reached a monumental milestone April 11 when they turned 1 year old.

The girls’ birthday fell almost a month after their successful separation surgery, during which a team of highly-specialized surgeons worked in shifts for more than 24 hours to make the girls two.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year,” said Elysse Mata, the twins’ mother. “It’s gone by so fast.”

Knatalye and Adeline were born at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women on April 11, 2014 via Caesarean-section at 31 weeks gestation after weeks of extensive prenatal imaging, multidisciplinary consultation and planning at Texas Children’s Fetal Center. The babies each weighed 3 pounds, 7 ounces. Surgeons allowed the girls to grow and gain strength for 10 months before undertaking the difficult task of separating them. Since then, the twins have been progressing well as two separate little girls.

On April 8, Adeline underwent surgery to place a tracheostomy to aid in her breathing and lung development. The surgery also included removing the metal rods placed in her pelvis during the initial separation surgery, removing some shunts in her bladder and also placing a gastrostomy button, a special tube which helps to deliver food and medicines until a child can chew and swallow. Adeline remains in the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and continues to receive daily physical and occupational therapy.

On April 13, Knatalye underwent surgery to remove the rods in her pelvis and also to add a gastrostomy button for her feedings. She is currently on room air (no breathing assistance) and recovering from surgery in the PICU. She will resume daily physical and occupational therapy once fully recovered.

“The progress both of the girls have made has been amazing,” said Dr. Darrell Cass, lead surgeon and co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center. “I wouldn’t be surprised if both of them are going home within the next few months.”

Cass was one of several people who stopped by a celebration held by Elysse Mata on April 9 at the hospital to honor all of the Texas Children’s staff involved in the girls’ care over the past year.

In between bites of birthday cake, Warren Boudreau, the surgical business analyst who helped prepare the operating room for the twins’ separation surgery, said he stopped by the party because he wanted to meet Elysse and tell her how proud he was to be part of something so unique and interesting.

“It was an experience I will never forget,” Boudreau said. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Alvin Perkins, the supply chain manager for the operating room during the separation surgery, said he came by the party for similar reasons.

“I wanted to tell the mother that it was a pleasure having her girls in my operating room,” Perkins said. “Every kid who comes in here is my kid and these girls are no exception.”

Chief of Pediatric Gynecology Dr. Jennifer Dietrich, one of the surgeons who operated on the girls during their separation, popped in between procedures to wish the girls a happy birthday.

“I wish they could be here,” she told Elysee.

Although the girls could not attend the celebration for their care givers, Knatalye was able to participate in a Disney’s “Frozen” themed birthday party for family and friends.

“It was such a great day,” Elysee Mata posted on her Facebook page. “We had a great turn out and the girls received lots of gifts, love and hugs! Thank you to everyone who came to the party, sent birthday wishes, and prayers and support. We are extremely grateful! Looking forward to celebrating many more!”

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Dr. Wesley Lee, co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center and section chief for women’s and fetal imaging at Baylor College of Medicine, recently received the William J. Fry Memorial Lecture Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

The award recognizes a current or retired AIUM member who has significantly contributed in his or her particular field to the scientific progress of medical ultrasound.

Lee’s lecture titled, “Great Expectations: The Way Forward in Fetal Imaging,” was presented during the opening session of the 2015 AIUM/WFUMB Annual Convention in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Among his many accomplishments, Lee has authored 148 peer-reviewed articles and 20 book chapters pertaining to maternal-fetal medicine, prenatal detection of congenital anomalies, 3-/4-dimensional fetal sonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

March 24, 2015

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Growing up can be tough, especially on girls, but there’s one way to make this journey through adolescence easier for moms and daughters – preparation.

“If you equip teens and preteens with the knowledge they need to navigate the changes and challenges that lie ahead, they’ll emerge stronger, healthier, more confident young women,” said Dr. Jennifer Dietrich, Texas Children’s chief of pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

Hosted by experts from Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Girls Elevated is an empowering, interactive one-day event that educates teens about their bodies and helps them cope with peer pressure and self-esteem issues that often occur during puberty.

Girls between the ages of 10 and 18, and their mothers or caregivers, are invited to attend separate, age-appropriate sessions to hear from physicians, law enforcement and other experts on topics girls want and need to know about, from physical development to personal safety to healthy relationships and more.

This year’s keynote speaker, Jamie Schanbaum, will deliver an inspirational talk about overcoming adversity, positive body image and self-esteem, after losing her legs and fingers to bacterial meningitis. Her mission is to prevent others from suffering from this vaccine preventable disease.

Since the event’s launch in 2014, 120 participants attended Girls Elevated. This year, organizers are expecting an even larger crowd of 240.

Girls Elevated will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the United Way Community Resource Center at 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX, 77007.

Click here to register online for Girls Elevated 2015! The deadline to register is Friday, April 10.

March 3, 2015

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I felt compelled to share the story of my late son, Anthony Jaxon Llanas, who was born at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women on October 16, 2014. Alongside his two older siblings, he was my pride and joy. I only knew him for one month, but in those 29 days, we developed a strong, unbreakable bond.

Anthonyand MommyUnlike my previous pregnancies, this pregnancy was complicated. At 32 weeks, I was hospitalized at the Pavilion for Women. During my two-week stay, many of the nurses were wonderful and made me feel comfortable. Because of polyhydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid), I had an emergency C-section and delivered a handsome 4 pound, 7 ounce baby boy.

While still in my womb, I knew Anthony’s chances for survival would be uncertain. When I was 20 weeks pregnant, Anthony was diagnosed with esophageal atresia – a congenital defect where the upper esophagus does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach – and tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. Two weeks later, doctors discovered he had coarctation or narrowing of the aorta. Anthony was also diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome which was not confirmed until after my son passed away peacefully in my arms.

Despite Anthony’s lengthy list of health problems, I was overjoyed to see his precious little face staring right at me, but at the same time, I was nervous about his prognosis. My Little Angel was wheeled away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Texas Children’s Newborn Center where many of the NICU nurses took excellent care of him and answered all of my questions. He spent two weeks in the NICU before he was transferred to the Cardiovascular ICU, where a team of physicians and nurses closely monitored him.

As I struggled to stay positive while my baby was courageously fighting for his life, Anthony’s health problems quickly stacked up, one after another. Shortly after birth, Anthony was diagnosed with choanal atresia which prevented him from breathing through his nose. At 10 days old, doctors diagnosed him with severe immune system deficiency. His T-cells were lower than most normal babies at birth.

JuliaWhen Anthony was one week old, he had his first surgery to correct esophageal atresia, and two days later, he had surgery to treat choanal atresia. Anthony underwent bypass open heart surgery a few days later to repair the narrowing of his aorta, which eventually caused his heart rate to increase and be off rhythm. He was placed on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECHMO) machine because his lungs and heart were too weak to function on their own. While he was on the ECHMO machine, his left lung collapsed. The day after his bypass, he was taken off the machine, but since his heart could not tolerate it, he was placed on the ECHMO machine for a second time. Sadly, Anthony’s extremely weak heart and lung were not cooperating.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, doctors told us Anthony’s heart rate was steadily dropping and that his body was not recovering from the multiple surgeries. He was getting sicker and they felt there was nothing more that could be done.

After hanging on for so long and enduring all of the surgeries to save his life, he passed away in my arms in a room full of people who loved him. He was by far the strongest and the most beautiful baby boy I’ve ever met. As all parents who’ve dealt with a loss of a child, I wish I could have done things differently to prevent his death, but with the support of Zoey’s Angels, they’ve helped me understand that I did as much as a parent could do and that his memory is not erased. If anything, it has just begun.

Four months after the tragic loss of my baby, I am back at work. While it’s been a difficult road for me and my family, my colleagues and manager, Lindi Stegeman, have been so supportive and I am so grateful to be working with such wonderful people.