Healing Heroes PDX

2024 means that Shriners Children’s Portland is celebrating 100 years serving families the Pacific Northwest! In 1924 Shriners Children’s Portland opened its doors, creating a legacy of extraordinary care . In the past century, Shriners Children’s Portland has touched an incredible amount of lives – from patients and staff members, to volunteers, the founding fraternity, Shriners International and community members. Today, we talk with Deserae Dorton, Marketing and Communications Manager at Shriners Children’s Portland, about the 100 years of care the hospital has achieved.

Every year on October 25, International Dwarfism Awareness Day celebrates little people. The day also spreads awareness for achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that causes dwarfism. We are here today with Kali Braithwaite, former patient of Shriners Children’s Portland Chief of Staff, Robert Bernstein, M.D. Dr. Bernstein was a part of Kali’s medical team in Los Angeles, and the two have maintained a relationship after Dr. Bernstein made the move to Shriners Children’s Portland.
We are excited to dive in with Kali to talk about her life, her medical experience with Dr. Bernstein and Dwarfism Awareness Day.

As reported by the National Bullying Prevention Center, children with disabilities are three times as likely to bullied than the majority. That’s why Shriners Children’s Portland has joined the conversation and is hoping to raise awareness to this important issue. We are here with Catherine McClellan, Ph.D., to discuss ways to prevent bullying and promote kindness.

A quarter of a million children and adults are living with muscular dystrophy, a broad term that describes genetic disorders that cause progressive weakness in the muscles. Shriners Children’s Portland offers comprehensive care for children with muscular and neuromuscular conditions. Using innovative technology and a collaborative approach, their multidisciplinary team works with families to provide the highest quality care. September is National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, and we are here today with Kathryn Fuchs, MD, to discuss the disorder and other frequently asked questions.

Did you know that sleep duration and quality have a direct impact on mental health? For children, their developing brains can be especially impacted. Dr. McClellan, child psychologist at Shiners Children's Portland, explains the importance of fostering good sleeping habits for your child's mental wellbeing, and how exactly the two are connected.

Shriners Children’s Portland offers comprehensive care for children with low bone density, weak bone and other conditions associated with fragility fractures. Using innovative technology and a collaborative approach, their multidisciplinary team works with families to promote growing healthy bones. We are joined with Lindsey Nicol, MD, to discuss the importance of bone development in children and discuss other frequently asked questions.