Johanna Vidal-Phelan, MD, FAAP

08/04/2025

Our primary care pediatricians care for patients always – and in all ways! During a recent well-visit, Dr. Dustin Elliot from our CHOP Primary Care, South Philadelphia location, surprised two of his patients with something BIG to make them smile! Dr. Elliot has been caring for brothers Leo and John since they were born, and has helped their family navigate so much – from becoming new parents during the pandemic, to managing Leo’s asthma, and everything in between.

Their parents, Anne and Lynne, shared, “Dr. Elliot continues to be an exceptional pediatrician, and we are so grateful for his care and dedication.”

We thank Dr. Elliot for going above and beyond for his patients!

08/04/2025

Did you know we have 25+ specialties at our Brandywine Valley Specialty Care & Surgery Center including nephrology? Pictured below is our patient Alexander who has a rare genetic kidney disorder and is able to see his nephrologist Dr. Jason Lee at our Brandywine location. Alexander is doing well and managing his symptoms with medication. His parents are thankful for the ease of seeing their same care team, closer to home.

Find CHOP Specialty Care locations near you: http://ms.spr.ly/6181sJvfc.

08/01/2025

Brave hearts, big beats. 🎶 ❤️

Over the last few years, a collaboration of child life specialists, music therapists, nursing and other medical staff from our Cardiac Center at CHOP brought the idea of the “Heart Warrior Baby Band” to life. While not your traditional rock and roll band, our patients and their caregivers participate in interactive music therapy sessions designed to support opportunities for bonding, socialization and assistance with reaching developmental milestones.

08/01/2025

At Camp Rock, kids are proving that no challenge is too big to rise above.

This unique camp created by our Orthopedic Division and Center for Rehabilitation is designed for children with hand and arm differences — empowering them to learn adaptive rock climbing skills, connect with peers who share similar experiences, and build lasting confidence.

CBS Philadelphia stopped by to meet some of these incredible campers and hear their inspiring stories. Watch the full story below.

Kids whose hands and arms look different are climbing to new heights at Camp Rock, hosted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

07/30/2025

At 17, Shaikha has already undergone 25 surgeries for Goldenhar syndrome, a rare condition that caused severe underdevelopment on one side of her face. After seeking care around the world, she came to CHOP where our team in the Division of Plastic, Oral and Reconstructive Surgery led a highly coordinated treatment plan to transform Shaikha’s airway, jaw, and facial symmetry. Today, she is thriving — and considering a future in nursing. Her message to others on complex medical journeys: "Trust the process. It gets better."

Watch more on her story via this CBS Philadelphia report.

A 17-year-old from the Middle East is being celebrated for her resilience and bravery after enduring over 20 surgeries for a rare congenital condition called Goldenhar Syndrome.

07/30/2025

Today is Gastroschisis Awareness Day! Gastroschisis is a rare condition where a baby is born with their intestines outside the body due to a hole in the abdominal wall.

When Jennifer and Christopher learned their unborn daughter Chelsea had gastroschisis, they turned to our team in The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP. Chelsea and her twin brother CJ were born in our Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit — the world’s first birth facility designed exclusively for healthy mothers carrying babies with birth defects. Chelsea had surgery shortly after birth and spent nearly two months recovering in our N/IICU — with CJ right by her side.

Today, she’s healthy and thriving, thanks to expert care and a dedicated family. Read more about their journey: https://www.chop.edu/stories/gastroschisis-twin-pregnancy-chelsea-s-story.

07/25/2025

Thanks for bringing camp 🏕 to our patients and families!

07/23/2025

Do you gesture a lot when you talk? Some people talk as much with their hands as they do with their mouths. Researchers at CHOP are studying different ways people communicate. Volunteers ages 8-17 and a caregiver are needed for a large study of movement and conversation. Study activities include playing games and talking with our researchers. All participants will receive a full psychological evaluation, an expert clinical report, and guidance at no charge. Participants will be paid for their time and reimbursed travel expenses.

Learn more by clicking the link below.

The facial expressions and gestures we make when we react to something can tell other people about what we think or how we feel. This study compares the range of expressions children make when reacting to emotional scenarios.

07/22/2025

Amanda’s attitude toward her scoliosis diagnosis is inspiring. During a recent visit with her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Keith Baldwin, at our Specialty Care Center at Virtua in New Jersey, Amanda wore a shirt that perfectly captures her spirit: “I had a spinal fusion and now I’m all screwed up!” — we love her sense of humor. 💙

Discover more about our Spine Program and the care we provide: http://ms.spr.ly/6185sBIc1.

07/15/2025

Join us on Sunday, October 19 for the & Family Fun Day! All funds raised from the event go to support individuals with Down syndrome. Watch below for highlights from previous years!

Learn how you can create a team and register for this year's walk: http://ms.spr.ly/6180Sh5by.

07/14/2025

Feeling homesick at summer camp is completely normal — and something many kids experience.

In this article from PhillyVoice, adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Richard Chung shares practical tips to prepare children emotionally before they head off to camp and what to do if homesickness strikes.

Read more about how to support your camper this summer, below.

Negative emotions aren't inherently bad, Dr. Richard Chung says. In this case, sticking it out is usually a positive growth experience for children.

07/14/2025

Started in 2020 by our Integrative Health team, our Behavioral Health – Wellness Equity for a Healthy Life (BE-WEHL) program includes mindfulness, nutrition and breathwork, aiming to support communities that face trauma and have less access to behavioral health professionals.

Learn more in the video below.

Learn more about wellness education programs for community members.