Levine Children's

11/19/2025

Dawson and Camden are identical twins who share far more than just their birthdays.

When Camden was about 1 year old, he experienced respiratory failure every time he got sick, which caused his concerned parents to take action. After several hospital admissions, his care team at Atrium Health Levine Children’s began extensive testing to figure out what was wrong.

Under the guidance of Dr. Chadha, Camden’s pulmonologist, and Dr. Buckley, his infectious disease specialist, Camden was diagnosed with pneumococcal antibody deficiency — an immune disorder that makes it harder for his body to fight infections.

Not long after Camden’s diagnosis, Dawson began showing similar symptoms. After quickly taking action, testing confirmed that he had the same condition. The twins began receiving monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions to help strengthen their immune systems.

While their family faced many hospital stays because of the twins’ condition, Arianna found comfort in building meaningful relationships with the teams that care for their sons. “The nurses during admission and the infusion center are absolutely amazing. They have always gone above and beyond for the twins during their stays,” says Arianna, the twins’ mother.

When Dawson recently spent his sixth birthday in the hospital, his care team made sure it was special — creating a birthday sign and surprising him with a cake and balloons.

Today, Camden no longer needs infusions, but Dawson continues treatment with the same dedicated team that cared for his brother. The twins enjoy spending time together bonding over their love for the Carolina Panthers and playing on the same baseball team.

Thanks to their incredible care teams who stopped at nothing to care for them, Dawson and Camden can keep doing what they love with the confidence that their health is in the best hands.

11/13/2025

Meet Dr. Nora Sokol, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Suburban Pediatrics who’s passionate about helping kids grow up strong, healthy and confident. With a focus on preventive medicine, nutrition and behavioral health, Dr. Sokol empowers parents and their children to make small changes that lead to lifelong wellness.

As the eldest daughter in a large family, caring for others has always come naturally to her. “I chose pediatrics because I feel it is a special opportunity and great privilege to work with children, who are the most precious aspects of their parents’ lives,” says Dr. Sokol.

Dr. Sokol attended Wake Forest University School of Medicinet and completed her residency at Levine Children’s Hospital — and now she’s proud to care for families right here in the Charlotte community.

When she’s not in the clinic, you can find her outdoors with her husband, their toddler and two corgis — exploring local parks, cheering at games or discovering new adventures together.

Dr. Sokol brings warmth, expertise and a sense of humor to every visit — supporting families through every stage of their child’s health journey. 💙

11/11/2025

Bright smiles and sparkly charms!📿

We teamed up with Kendra Scott and the Carolina Panthers to surprise patients and families at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital with a pop-up jewelry experience.

Families had the chance to design custom necklaces and bracelets, choosing from vibrant beads and charms inspired by Panthers colors to create pieces that were truly special. The Top Cats and Sir Purr visited patients' rooms as well, where they posed for photos and created memories that will last a lifetime.

A huge thank you to Kendra Scott, the Panthers, the Top Cats and Sir Purr for making this event so special. These moments of joy brought a sense of normalcy and fun to our patients and their families—something we know makes a big difference during their hospital stay.

11/10/2025

Fevers can be stressful, but they don’t have to be scary. 🩺 Learn how to manage your child’s fever and where to get the care you need, whether it’s 2 a.m. or 2 p.m. Learn more:

Your child feels warm. The thermometer confirms it — fever. Now what? As respiratory virus season ramps up, Atrium Health Levine Children’s is here to help you feel prepared, not panicked. Learn how to handle fevers and recognize when it’s time to reach out.

11/10/2025

Spreading the gift of joy🎁!

The holiday season is upon us, and we’re ready to sleigh the season of giving with our annual Jingle Bell Toy Donation Drop-Off event! Each year, we deck halls of Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital with toys and gifts to bring the joy of the holiday spirit to our sweet patients with the help of our wonderful donors.

Want to be part of the magic? Here’s how you can help:

🎁Check out our list of items our patients would love: https://amzn.to/4eCFf8s
🧸Gather fun toys and activities appropriate for kids of all ages
🚗Meet us at the front entrance of Levine Children’s Hospital on Sunday, December 14, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. or on Monday, December 15 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to drop off your donation and our amazing team will be curbside to greet you, lend a hand and make sure your gift gets to the kids who need it most.

Whether it’s a cuddly teddy bear or a creative craft kit, your gift can help make a child’s hospital stay a little brighter — and their holiday a whole lot merrier.

Together, we’ll make this holiday season a special one for our patients at Levine Children’s Hospital. ❤️

11/09/2025

While Jordan, a 9-year-old Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital patient was diagnosed with severe asthma as a toddler, he has never let the challenges he has faced keep him from thriving.

When she first learned of his diagnosis, Jordan’s mom worried about if he would be able to do all the things other kids his age can do despite his condition. Over the years, Jordan has overcome hospital stays where he needed breathing tubes and masks to facilitate his breathing.

“There were days I couldn’t stay with him, and his care team kept me up to date and made sure he was comfortable and active while I was away,” Jordan’s mom shares. That compassion, combined with Jordan’s own resilience helped him grow into the strong and joyful kid he is today.

Now, Jordan is doing great and has mastered managing his asthma. He is an honor-roll student and loves playing football. When he’s not at school or on the field, you’ll probably find him playing Roblox or cheering on his favorite team — the Carolina Panthers.

Today, Jordan’s strength and spirit will be celebrated in a big way as he will be the Keep Pounding Kid at the Panthers game in a moment that honors not just his love for football, but the incredible journey he’s been on.

Keep pounding, Jordan! We’ll be cheering you on. ❤️

11/06/2025

Jeremiah didn’t just change his numbers, he changed his future ❤️

Jeremiah’s journey began with a diagnosis that no parent wants to hear: at just 16-years-old, he faced high blood pressure and high cholesterol — the same health challenges his father had battled for years.

Determined to change his story, Jeremiah’s pediatrician sent him to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Congenital Heart Center, home to Charlotte’s first and only pediatric preventive cardiology program.

Here, Jeremiah met with a team of doctors, nurses and dieticians who worked together to help him navigate his journey in a way that felt personal and reassuring. With guidance from his care team and his own determination, Jeremiah made a bold choice to commit to bettering his life, without medication.

He laced up his sneakers, hit the basketball court and swapped junk food for cleaner eating. “Running gets my cardio up and my heart pumping,” Jeremiah says. “I’m just that guy that keeps going, I like playing ball.”

Studies show that starting treatment during childhood can reduce the risk of a heart attack by up to 50% later in life — and Jeremiah is the proof that this early action matters.

His dedication didn’t just transform his own health, it inspired his entire family. “Observing Jeremiah’s dedication put my health in perspective,” his mom, Finese, says. “We have the power to reverse chronic illness with our food and lifestyle choices.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see patients make improvements that will benefit them for life,” says Dr. Hartz, director of preventive cardiology at Atrium Health Levine Children’s. “Especially when they begin to understand the value of those changes or see improvements first-hand.”

Today, Jeremiah’s numbers are back in a healthy range and his family is walking this journey together.

Jeremiah, you’ve got our whole team behind you and we couldn’t be prouder!

To learn more about Jeremiah’s journey with our preventive cardiology program, visit: https://bit.ly/3JLta5U

11/05/2025

A life-saving screening❤️

Since the age of four, 17-year-old Atrium Health Levine Children’s patient Bailey has been an accomplished athlete in volleyball, basketball, track and dance. In 2024, she started experiencing intense chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations — symptoms her family initially thought were due to performance anxiety.

During a free screening at the annual Heart of a Champion Day hosted by Atrium Health, Bailey and her family made a decision that changed everything — they opted for an EKG in addition to the standard sports physical. An EKG (electrocardiogram) is a simple, painless test that measures the heart’s electrical activity and can detect abnormal rhythms or other warning signs that may not show up during a physical exam. In Bailey’s case, the EKG revealed Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes dangerously fast heart rhythms and often goes undiagnosed without testing. The diagnosis came as a complete shock, especially since Bailey’s identical twin sister showed no signs of the condition, despite its genetic nature.

From that moment, the Heart of a Champion Day team set in motion a coordinated care plan across Atrium Health’s network. Bailey’s journey began with the screening in Wilkes, NC, and quickly moved to specialized evaluation and treatment in Winston-Salem, where she was seen by Dr. Matt Hazel at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. In June 2024, she underwent a successful catheter ablation procedure performed by Dr. David Lawrence.

Now 17, Bailey has made a smooth recovery and is back to doing what she loves most — competing in sports. Inspired by the care she received, Bailey developed a deep interest in pursuing a career in medicine, possibly as a pediatric surgeon, so she can one day help others the way her care teams helped her.

Amanda, Bailey’s mom, credits Heart of a Champion Day for catching her condition early and her incredible care teams at Levine Children’s for saving her life. “It was divine intervention,” Amanda said. “We’re so grateful for the program and the doctors who cared for her like she was their own.”

Thanks to the collaboration between her care teams at Brenner Children’s Hospital, Levine Children’s Hospital, and Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Bailey received expert care and a life-saving procedure

Bailey’s experience underscores why families are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the optional EKG screening — it could truly save a life.

Learn more about Bailey’s story: https://bit.ly/47FPXIp

11/05/2025

We're still going bananas for this year's costume contest.

Atrium Health Levine Children’s teammates went all out on Halloween, and you voted for your favorites on social media. The Levine Children's Hospital fifth-floor team hit it out of the park as the Savannah Bananas! 🍌⚾

Halloween at Levine Children’s is always special, and this year was no exception. Thanks to everyone who helped fill the hospital with laughter, color and creativity.

Check out our stories to see the top five submissions!

11/05/2025

💙🖤💙

11/04/2025

Back to our regularly scheduled programming!🎉🎙️

After a few weeks of exciting renovations, Seacrest Studios at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital is officially opened and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Our vibrant and interactive studio space is once again ready to welcome patients and their families for fun, laughter and unforgettable moments.

Our studio is more than just a broadcast center — it’s a place where kids can be kids, where creativity thrives and where joy takes center stage. Our studio team is excited to bring smiles and create memories with our patients and families.❤️

11/03/2025

An adventure of a lifetime for a heart transplant patient.❤️

14-year-old Bryson, a heart transplant recipient at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, recently fulfilled a lifelong dream. Born with a congenital heart defect, Bryson has faced more challenges than most kids his age. But through it all, his spirit never wavered. He joined the Carolina Panthers for an unforgettable journey, traveling with the team to Green Bay for their matchup against the Packers.

Bryson’s love for the Panthers began during his hospital stay, when Panthers Legend Greg Olsen paid him a visit. That moment sparked a deep love for the team that stuck with him through the years. From on-field warmups to a press box tour with Greg, Bryson’s trip to Green Bay ended with the team’s incredible win at Lambeau Field.

We are endlessly grateful to be a part of Bryson's journey.❤️