Anthony Aquilina, DO Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive | WellSpan Hospitals
Anthony Aquilina, DO Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive | WellSpan Hospitals
Peyton Chronister, an 8-year-old from York, recently underwent a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at WellSpan York Hospital. Her care team included Dr. Caitlin Mammolenti and nurse Jasmin Ortiz, who played a crucial role in making Peyton's surgical experience more comfortable.
Before her surgery, Peyton's family gave her a stuffed dog named Arya for comfort. "The hospital said she could bring a special item that would make her feel more comfortable and we wanted to make sure that Arya was with her," said Peyton’s mother, Sarah. The stuffed dog stayed by Peyton's side throughout the procedure, and it even received special attention from the hospital staff.
Dr. Mammolenti explained what would happen in the operating room in simple terms and suggested that the OR team might do something special for Arya, Peyton's stuffed companion. Following the surgery, Peyton’s parents, Sarah and Kyle, discovered that Arya had "a boo boo" wrapped with green tape, identical to the tape on Peyton’s IV, on the same paw where Peyton's IV had been.
The staff at WellSpan York Hospital, including Jasmin Ortiz, aimed to make the surgical experience as non-threatening as possible for young patients. "You really try and make it as non-scary as possible," said Dr. Mammolenti, highlighting the importance of reassuring both the children and their families.
The caregivers also focus on simplifying the explanation of surgical procedures to reduce anxiety in their young patients. For Peyton, this included a demonstration of the anesthesia mask and an explanation of equipment in child-friendly terms.
In the recovery room, Jasmin Ortiz ensured Peyton was comforted with her stuffed dog Arya by her side. Jasmin said, "Kids are always scared. They are just waking up. They just want to be comforted, that would be mom and dad, blanket or stuffed animal."
Sarah expressed gratitude for the team's effort, stating, "Everything can feel so divided these days, but this is something that brings people together. We are all human. People who love and care about us, who come into work and make such a difference in a kid’s life, that takes a special person."
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