Spotlight
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Latest stories
Student success
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Health care
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Research
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Always a Hawkeye: Alumni stories
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Community impact
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Faculty and staff features
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.
Athletics
Meet Kid Captain Millie Judge
Millie Judge was transferred to UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth for breathing issues, and she underwent open-heart surgery at just 4 months old. Diagnosed with a rare syndrome, she continues to return for expert monitoring and care.
Meet Kid Captain Ray Walker
Ray Walker was having an average of 20 seizures a day as a toddler. UI Health Care experts diagnosed the Indianola, Iowa, boy with focal epilepsy and performed a surgery that disconnected one side of his brain from the other. He has been seizure-free for five years.
Meet Kid Captain Blake Bonta
Blake Bonta was a healthy and happy 10-year-old until severe headaches sidelined him. A scan showed a mass at the back of his brain, which UI doctors diagnosed as an aggressive cancer.
Meet Kid Captain Harper Atkinson
A high-five once broke her arm. Now, Kid Captain Harper Atkinson of Wapello, Iowa, finds strength and support at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Luke Johnston
Luke Johnston was at risk for paralysis without spinal surgery. After a 13-hour procedure at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, he began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team.
Coming home: State champion returns to lead her alma mater
After chasing her goals across state lines and in a few different jobs, University of Iowa alumna Madison Melchert is back home and ready to lead the next generation at Dallas Center-Grimes High School as activities director.
Meet Kid Captain Micah Norby
Micah Norby of Greenfield was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. He became the first child in Iowa to receive a new gene therapy for Duchenne.
Meet Kid Captain Lily Sebastian
Born with a rare birth defect in which her abdominal organs were outside her body, Lily Sebastian spent nearly 10 months in the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital NICU. Today, the Cedar Rapids girl is thriving.
Meet Kid Captain Jaxton Engstrom
Facing rare Batten disease, Waterloo teen Jaxton Engstrom receives lifesaving, multidisciplinary care from specialists at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Meet Kid Captain Liam Bartleson
In the world of medicine, Liam Bartleson’s legacy will be one of innovation and advancement. For his family, his legacy is one of love, perseverance, and hope.