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How to get kids active and without breaking the bank!

I grew up in a neighborhood full of children around my age. All summer long we would ride our bikes around the neighborhood or to the neighborhood community pool. Pretty much everyone I knew was on a park district swim team. Exercise was a way of life, whether we realized it or not.

How to transition your child with a chronic illness into adulthood

The process of transitioning from a pediatric to an adult healthcare provider is often daunting, especially for children with chronic needs. As a result, parents taking care of children with lifelong illnesses often care for that child into adulthood. Children with asthma, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis, to name of few, require strict medication adherence and consistent follow-up. It is natural for parents to assume full responsibility in managing their child's illness. However, caretakers are encouraged to learn how to empower children to eventually take charge of their own medical care.

Bicycle Helmets Will Keep Your Children Safe This Summer

One of my favorite things about the neighborhood in which I live is that on any given day, you might see a gaggle of children riding their bikes or scooters down the street accompanied by lots of laughter and silliness. It reminds me that mine is a family neighborhood, and I’m so fortunate to live in a place where kids have the opportunity to play outside and enjoy all of the freedom that summer brings.

Should I be concerned about my children getting the Zika virus?

Does the Zika virus have you concerned? If so, you aren’t alone. And even though there are nearly constant news updates and online chatter

Concussions on the playground. What’s a parent to do?

Our multidisciplinary team of sports medicine clinicians works quickly to diagnose concussions and provide a personalized treatment plan for patients of all ages. 

Sending a child with epilepsy to school: what every parent should know

Do You Know What to do if Your Child is Choking?

It is the nightmare scenario that can send any parent into a cold sweat: what if my child is choking and I don’t know how to help him?

You can help make miracles happen, too

A few months ago, I had the privilege of attending a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ ceremony honoring children who have suffered illness or injury. During this exuberant celebration, children of all shapes, sizes, and abilities danced down the aisle with their favorite Disney characters to celebrate. Their smiles simply radiated joy. As I grinned and clapped along with them, though, I couldn’t help but think about the life and death struggles that many of these children have faced. With their bald heads from chemotherapy, their scars a reminder of past surgeries, or their IV medications disguised in a Mickey Mouse backpack, the battle was evident. And yet, they kept smiling.

Helping teens make the leap into adulthood

Yesterday, I met an 18-year-old young man who was coming in for his yearly physical for the first time. He had previously been followed by a general pediatrician, but he felt it was time to move out of the pediatric care setting into a health home that specializes in caring for adolescents and young adults. “Why?” I asked. To this he responded, "Because I felt it was time. I am not a child anymore."

Samer K. Elbabaa, MD

Dr. Samer Elbabaa is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon, chief of pediatric neurosurgery and president of the Orlando Health Children’s Neuroscience Institute, supported by the Leon Pediatric Neuroscience Fund. He also serves as co-director of fetal surgery at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute Fetal Care Center, which is committed to advancing the care of unborn babies through expanded treatment options. His expertise includes: