Dell Children's Foundation
News & StoriesOur Stories
Meet our patients, families, supporters and staff and learn more about the cutting-edge technologies and patient-centered care we’re bringing to Central Texas through your support.
Finding Home: Transforming Care for Foster Children
When Dr. Alefiyah Malbari arrived in Austin five years ago, she found a community of children in real need and came with a mission to match it: build a pediatric practice that could care for every child, regardless of status or circumstance.
Member Spotlight: Laurel Simmons on Why the Women’s Trust Is Philanthropy with Purpose
What keeps someone engaged in philanthropy year after year?
For Laurel Simmons, it’s simple: seeing exactly where the money goes and knowing it’s making a real, tangible difference for the children and families in Central Texas.
A Light in the Night: Spotlight on Carissa Stephens, Veteran Pediatric Nurse
Nights are different in Dell Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. In the halls of the PICU after dark, you’ll find Carissa Stephens—clinical lead, veteran nurse, and self-appointed “sleep champion.
Note: This content contains discusses child abuse, which may be distressing or triggering for survivors of trauma.
Lifting Up Community One Balloon at a Time
At the Cedar Park Costco, Fariba Abolbaghaei is known for getting things done. On any given day, you’ll find her chatting with local business owners, offering pep talks to coworkers, and connecting with her growing list of community partners she’s built over nearly 25 years with the company.
How Krista Gregory and the Center for Resiliency Are Transforming Care at Dell Children’s
Ten years ago, Krista Gregory approached her colleagues with a simple yet urgent question: How can we heal people and stay human while we do it?
50 Heart Transplants in 5 Years: Dell Children’s Hits Major Milestone
In December of 2025, during the hallowed hours between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, surgeons at Dell Children’s Medical Center in East Austin reached a historic milestone: the hospital’s 50th pediatric heart transplant.
Building What’s Possible: Celebrating Doctors’ Day at Dell Children’s with Dr. Kevin Kumar
When Kevin K. Kumar, MD, PhD, steps into the operating room at Dell Children’s Medical Center, he carries with him a journey shaped by personal...
Giancarlo’s Journey: A Heart Full of Courage
At just five years old, Giancarlo is already a bright light in the world—and a beloved face at Dell Children’s. With his red curls, wide smile, and joyful spirit, it’s easy to see why the care team calls him “the heart and soul of the hospital.” But Giancarlo’s journey hasn’t been easy.
Meet Jett Payne: A “Little Miracle Boy,” Thanks to Dell Children’s Neuro-NICU
When Ryann Payne gave birth to her son, Jett, after 36 hours of labor and more than three hours of pushing, she expected to hear the strong,...
Brick by Brick: How Dell Children’s Helped Nand Rebuild His Life
For most people, tackling a 4,000-piece LEGO set would be a test of patience. For 26-year-old Nand Patel, it’s a source of pride and a complicated...
Your Support in Action: The Portable MRI
Dell Children’s, in partnership with UT Health Austin, has brought the Hyperfine Swoop portable MRI directly to the bedsides of our most vulnerable children.
Healing the Whole Family: Why Psychology Belongs at the Center of Care at Dell Children’s
In Australia, there’s a native tree called the Banksia. Its seed pods only open in fire—the intense heat cracks them open, allowing something new to...
Dell Children’s Ranked Third in the Southwest
Dell Children’s Medical Center has earned Top 50 national rankings in seven specialties in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 – 2026 Best Children’s Hospital list.
Dell Children’s Reaches Historic Milestone in Cancer Care – Its First Bone Marrow Transplant
Last month, for the first time ever, a patient at Dell Children’s successfully underwent a bone marrow transplant. This is more than a medical milestone—it’s a symbol of hope, perseverance, and possibility for children and families facing a cancer diagnosis.
Meet Noah: Dell Children’s 2026 Trust Ambassador
Kasie and Brandon were overjoyed to learn they were expecting a precious baby boy. But at their 20-week anatomy scan, joy quickly turned to fear and uncertainty. Kasie and her husband sat in a quiet conference room as their doctor explained their son’s diagnosis: hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Meet Grady: Dell Children’s 2026 Art of Giving Ambassador
Grady was just five years old—still in pre-K—when small but unsettling signs began to appear. His pants were getting looser, not tighter, unusual for a growing boy. His skin developed a yellow tint. Then came a giant bruise that changed everything.
Meet Grady for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
For more than two years, Grady endured chemotherapy, painful injections, and nights in the ER. It was grueling. But with the support of Dell Children’s—and his own brave coping strategies like “smelling the birthday cake” and “going Zen”—Grady pushed through one day at a time.
Meet Lola for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Just days before Christmas, seven-year-old Lola Potvin was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. What began as mild stomach pain quickly revealed something far more alarming—a 17-centimeter tumor in her abdomen.
A Legacy Rooted in Faith, Love, and Generosity: Wanda Jackson’s Gift to Dell Children’s
Wanda’s planned gift to Dell Children’s is more than financial—it’s spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal. It honors a life built through sacrifice and love, and it reflects her enduring belief in the power of compassionate care.
HERE Campaign Funds New Technology Lauded by Dell Children’s New Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery
When Dr. Elias Rizk arrived in Austin this January to lead Pediatric Neurosurgery at Dell Children’s, he didn’t just bring decades of experience, an M.D., and a Ph.D. in neurosciences—he brought a contagious enthusiasm and a vision for greatness.