Just over five years ago, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital opened the doors of our new building, welcoming patients and families into a place of healing and hope.
To continue celebrating the hospital’s fifth birthday this year, we’re catching up with three of our very first patients to see how they’re doing now. Their stories are a testament to resilience, courage and the impact of compassionate care.
Kobi: Breathing Easier and Growing Up Strong
Kobi Brown was just a toddler when he first came to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. Diagnosed with asthma and a host of allergies, he required ongoing care, including weekly allergy shots and support from his pulmonologist, Andres Carrion, MD. Despite these challenges, Kobi has made incredible strides.
Now 6 years old and in kindergarten, Kobi is full of energy and spirit. Though he still battles immune issues and has the occasional sick day, his family is grateful for the care that has helped him thrive. His mom shares that he’s doing well overall, thanks to continued treatment and support from the care team at the hospital and their local clinic in Walker.
Jayce: From Fragile Beginnings to a Dancing Heart
Jayce Taylor’s journey began in the most fragile way imaginable. Born at just 22 weeks and weighing a mere 1 pound, 1 ounce, she spent a month in the NICU fighting for her life. Bleeding on the brain and countless complications made every day a battle, and she was in our hospital in October 2019 receiving treatment. But as her mom says, “God is real,” because one morning they woke up, and everything had changed — the bleeding was gone, and Jayce began to thrive.
Today, Jayce is a bright and lively first grader who loves dancing and singing. She’s overcome so much, including managing autism and ADHD, and continues to grow stronger every day. Though her health remains delicate, catching colds easily and facing allergies that keep her mostly indoors, Jayce’s spirit is unstoppable. Her mom beams with pride at how far she’s come and is grateful for the early care that set her daughter on a path to success.
David: A Young Leader with a Giving Heart
David Jiminez was one of our children’s hospital’s very first surgical patients, coming in for an appendectomy just as the facility opened in October 2019. His mom, Jill, an oncology nurse at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, remembers how unexpectedly routine surgery became a memorable experience, including the ride across the street by ambulance. Fortunately, David recovered quickly and soon found himself wanting to give back.
When COVID-19 hit, David decided to raise money for the hospital by standing in his driveway with handmade posters, collecting donations from passing cars. He ultimately raised $627, a remarkable feat for a young boy. Since then, David has grown into a natural leader, taking on roles like Secretary of the Senate at his school’s youth legislature and making his family proud with his active lifestyle and passion for service.
Five Years of Hope and Healing
These stories remind us how far our patients — and our hospital — have come in just five short years. We’re grateful for the unwavering dedication of our care teams and the strength of families like Kobie’s, Jayce’s and David’s.
As we look forward to the future, we remain committed to making a difference in the lives of children and their families every single day.
Have you had a positive experience with our Children’s Hospital? Share it with us here. Thank you for being part of our journey — here’s to the next five years and beyond!
