University of Maryland Golisano Children's Hospital

03/03/2026

02/22/2026

At just 11 years old, Ryleigh Freitag is back on the field after life-saving open-heart surgery at the University of Maryland Golisano Children's Hospital. What started as a routine physical turned into a diagnosis of a congenital heart defect — and a journey of courage, trust, and expert care.

Thanks to pediatric cardiologist Dr. Thomas Chin and heart surgeon Dr. Joe Forbess, Ryleigh was home in just days and back to sports in under three months.

Her thank-you cards say it all: sometimes healing hearts also fills them. ❤️

Read her inspiring story via WBAL-TV 11 News https://www.wbaltv.com/article/ryleigh-freitag-open-heart-surgery-recovery-baltimore/70348627

02/16/2026

Just months after having surgery to repair a hole in her heart, 11-year-old Ryleigh Freitag returned to the soccer field. Check out Ryleigh's story in the WBAL-TV 11 News app; https://www.wbaltv.com/article/ryleigh-freitag-open-heart-surgery-recovery-baltimore/70348627

02/14/2026

We were so touched to receive hand delivered Valentines from 10-year-old Ryleigh this week. After undergoing open heart surgery at University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital, she returned as a visitor to thank her care team, including Dr. Joseph Forbess and Dr. Thomas Chin, with homemade Valentine cards and chocolates. It was the sweetest expression of gratitude for our dedicated pediatric care team.

Last spring, Ryleigh was an active, sports loving child who felt perfectly healthy until a routine pediatric visit detected a heart murmur. She was referred to UMGCH where testing revealed a rare congenital condition called a sinus venosus defect, a hole between the upper chambers of her heart. Although she had no symptoms, the defect was silently overworking the right side of her heart and would have eventually led to heart failure.

Under the care of pediatric cardiologist Dr. Thomas Chin and pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Joseph Forbess, Ryleigh underwent open heart surgery in late June. Using a two-patch repair technique, surgeons restored normal blood flow and relieved the strain on her heart. She was home just 48 hours later and is now back to playing sports and keeping up with her friends.

This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, Ryleigh returned not as a patient, but as a grateful visitor. She surprised her care team with handmade cards and chocolates and also received a special bracelet created by a donor for the hospital’s summer camp for heart patients.

Ryleigh’s story is a powerful reminder that congenital heart defects are not always identified at birth, and that early detection and expert pediatric heart care can change the course of a child’s life.

To learn more about Pediatric Heart Care at UMGCH, visit: https://www.umms.org/childrens/health-services/pediatric-heart/cardiology

02/06/2026

Cold temperatures can turn dangerous fast, especially for children.
See more from Dr. Megan Cobb, a pediatric emergency physician at University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Maryland School of Medicine, as she spoke with WMAR 2 News Baltimore about the dangers of frostbite and what to watch for during cold temperatures across the region.

Dr. Cobb explains key frostbite risks and safety tips, including:
• Frostbite can develop quickly, within 5 to 10 minutes for small children and 20 to 30 minutes for adults, with faster onset when skin or clothing is wet.
• Early warning signs include redness and numbness in the fingers, toes, and face.
• Rewarming should be done with warm, not hot, water to avoid skin injury, and rubbing affected areas should be avoided as it can worsen tissue damage.
• Proper winter dressing is essential, especially for children, with mittens preferred over gloves for better warmth and fit, and hats recommended for young children who lose significant heat through their heads.
• Planning routes and timing ahead of time can help reduce cold exposure during walks to school or while waiting for the bus.

To read the full article, visit:

Pediatric emergency physician shares crucial frostbite prevention tips as students return to school amid dangerous cold.

01/28/2026

Nurse manager Tina Humbel brings nearly a decade of U.S. Air Force experience into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at University of Maryland Golisano Children's Hospital, shaping how teams prepare for high-pressure moments, especially during respiratory season. From rapid-response training to family-centered care, her mission-ready approach helps ensure children receive expert, compassionate care when they need it most.
This story is a powerful reminder that leadership, preparation, and empathy save lives — and that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Read the full story:

Inside the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital, readiness is not optional, it’s essential.

01/16/2026

“Being in the military, and especially in that capacity through the mobility units, really did teach you how to always be in a state of continued readiness,” said Tina Humbel, Nurse Manager at University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital’s PICU.

Read more from WMAR-2 News Baltimore in this “Voice for Veterans” feature on how Air Force veteran and Nurse Manager Tina Humbel brings a mission-ready mindset to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, ensuring teams are prepared for high-pressure moments, and how her commitment to service extends beyond patient care through her involvement in the Veterans Employee Resource Group across the University of Maryland Medical System.

To read the full story, visit: https://www.wmar2news.com/voiceforveterans/air-force-veteran-brings-mission-ready-mindset-to-pediatric-intensive-care

01/14/2026

This Thursday, WMAR-2 News Baltimore will feature PICU Nurse Manager Tina Humbel in its “Voices for Vets” series. We were proud to welcome reporter Cyera Williams for an in-depth conversation about how Tina’s military service shaped her leadership in one of the most demanding environments: pediatric critical care.

Tina also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous training she leads for nurses, residents, and others during respiratory viral season.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation airing Thursday on WMAR.

01/10/2026

Flu is surging in Maryland—and it’s hitting kids hard.😷🤒

Dr. Megan Cobb, a professor at the School of Medicine and an emergency medicine pediatric physician at the University of Maryland Golisano Children's Hospital, told WMAR-2 News Baltimore that this flu strain spreads fast and entire families can get sick within days.

To protect your loved ones, Dr. Cobb recommends:
🧼 Washing your hands
💉 Getting vaccinated (it's never to late!)
👀 Watching for warning signs like trouble breathing or fewer wet diapers in kids

📹👇 Hear Dr. Cobb explain what else you need to know in the video.

01/02/2026

Hear from Katherine Seeberger, a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital (UMGCH), as she shares why she chose to become a nurse and what it means to witness patients and families leave UMGCH on discharge day.

01/02/2026

Meet our adorable New Year Twins! Born shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, brothers Zarek and Zabdiel Copland didn't waste any time ringing in the new year. (Something tells us these two will keep making grand entrances!)

01/01/2026

Hear from Emily Hotz, a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital, as she shares why she’s proud to work in the NICU and what caring for our youngest patients means to her.