A Labor of Love: Sewing Compassion With Every Stitch

A Labor of Love: Sewing Compassion With Every Stitch

by | Aug 24, 2026 | Spotlight

Published in Rite Up, 2026 – Issue 2

Tucked away on the fourth floor of the Scottish Rite for Children Dallas campus, longtime volunteers chat and laugh together over the hum of traditional Singer sewing machines. Affectionately known as the “Sewing Ladies,” sewing volunteers have been an essential part of the fabric of Scottish Rite’s history since the beginning. They sew each week because they care deeply about Scottish Rite’s mission, and especially, the children.

The team’s handiwork is felt every day. They carefully select brightly colored fabrics, cut patterns and sew soft patient gowns and cotton clinic exam sheets that are added to the thousands in circulation, ensuring a fresh supply and allowing older items to be retired. The group also designs adaptive clothing and alters clothing and plush toys for adaptive use. The volunteers sew privacy garments for scoliosis research photo sessions and repair volunteer uniforms. With the extra scraps, they make quilts and scrub caps to sell at the annual holiday bazaar. Proceeds from the bazaar help fund the Wish List, which supports patients and families.

The Sewing Ladies’ love of mending continues Scottish Rite’s tradition of hope and healing. The results of their cathartic craft help a child feel comfortable, easing jitters and bringing a smile.

 

For Ivette, Healing and Hope Are in Full Bloom

For Ivette, Healing and Hope Are in Full Bloom

by | Aug 24, 2026 | Rheumatology

Published in Rite Up, 2026 – Issue 2. 

Much of life is about blossoming into the person you are meant to be. For 17-year-old Ivette, her experience with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has shaped that journey. JIA is a condition that can cause persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness.

“I remember turning 14 and feeling a pain in my wrist,” Ivette says. “After that, it wasn’t just my hand anymore. It was my fingers and my feet. I was scared.”

Determined to understand what was causing her pain, Ivette’s parents found answers when they were referred to Lorien A. Nassi, M.D., pediatric rheumatologist at Scottish Rite for Children.

“Before, we felt like no one was really listening,” Ivette says. “We got to Scottish Rite and finally felt heard. I didn’t think it was possible to have arthritis at such a young age.”

Each year, JIA is diagnosed in about 4 to 14 out of every 100,000 children. For her parents, Ivette and Jaime, the diagnosis validated the concerns their daughter had for years. “It was strange — it almost felt like happiness because at least now we knew there was a treatment,” her mother, Ivette, says.

Today, Ivette manages her pain with injectable treatments, including naproxen and methotrexate. The pain from JIA is not just physical though — it has taken a toll on Ivette’s emotional well-being, too.

“Mental health is a vital part of overall health, especially for patients navigating chronic medical conditions,” says pediatric psychologist Caroline M. Roberts, Ph.D. “I’m so proud of Ivette’s strength and resilience throughout her journey. Watching her grow has been truly inspiring.”

With guidance from Dr. Roberts, Ivette has planted seeds of resilience that are already blooming, as her treatments have allowed her to run a flower business.

“Flowers are a special thing,” Ivette says. “For me, it’s not about the money. I just love seeing how happy people get.” What started out as a thoughtful gift to one friend, turned into a passion project. Now, Ivette creates dozens of unique bouquets each year. “Even though I have this condition, I now have the ability to work,” she says. “That’s something I didn’t have before.”

Looking ahead, she is eager to graduate high school and pursue a degree in business so she can dedicate herself to creating bouquets full time — a dream her family knows is entirely within reach. “She has no limits,” says her father, Jaime. “If she wants to do something, she will.”

Reducing ACL Reinjury Risk: Dr. Henry Ellis Discusses Advances in ACL Surgery

Reducing ACL Reinjury Risk: Dr. Henry Ellis Discusses Advances in ACL Surgery

by | Aug 14, 2026 | General News, Research & Innovation, Sports Medicine

Henry B. Ellis, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon and medical director of clinical research at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, recently joined the Sports Docs Podcast to discuss evolving approaches to ACL reconstruction and how they may help reduce the risk of reinjury in young athletes.

Recorded at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, the episode featured Dr. Ellis alongside sports medicine physician Bonnie P. Gregory, M.D., of UTHealth Houston. The conversation focused on lateral extra-articular procedures, which can be performed in addition to traditional ACL reconstruction to provide additional stability to the knee and reduce the risk of another ACL injury.

Dr. Ellis explained that young, active athletes, particularly those returning to sports that require frequent cutting and pivoting, may be among those who benefit from the additional procedure. Surgeons also consider factors such as an athlete’s anatomy, activity level and history of ACL injury when determining the best treatment approach.

“As soon as you talk to the families and the parents and the athlete themselves and you say this could decrease your recurrent injury rate by half, it’s a no-brainer,” Dr. Ellis said.

The conversation also explored what the procedure may mean for rehabilitation and return to sports. Dr. Ellis shared findings from Scottish Rite’s research registry of about 6,000 ACL cases, which showed no difference in knee stiffness between patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with or without the additional procedure.

CBS News Texas: Art Auction Raising Funds for Scottish Rite for Children

CBS News Texas: Art Auction Raising Funds for Scottish Rite for Children

by | Aug 13, 2026 | Events, General News, Press Coverage

Stephanie Brigger, vice president of development at Scottish Rite for Children, joins Dallas-based visual artologist Brittney Wells on CBS News Texas to showcase Scottish Rite for Children’s Summer Colors Art Auction.

Established in 2009, the Summer Colors Art Auction partners with local artists like Brittney to raise awareness of the hospital and introduce the Dallas community to up-and-coming artists. All proceeds from this year’s auction benefit Scottish Rite facility dog Super, who provides emotional support and encouragement to patients.

A Step Ahead in Scoliosis Care: New Research Supports Earlier Bracing for Children With AIS

A Step Ahead in Scoliosis Care: New Research Supports Earlier Bracing for Children With AIS

by | Aug 13, 2026 | Scoliosis & Spine

A study led by spinal experts from Scottish Rite for Children found that starting brace treatment earlier than current guidelines recommend may help children and teens with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) reduce curve progression and lower their risk of needing surgery. 

With no known cause, AIS is the most common type of scoliosis in children and teens. It typically develops between the ages of 10 and 18, affects as many as 4% of adolescents and is more common in girls. AIS is a progressive condition in which the spinal curve may worsen during periods of rapid growth. 

For years, brace treatment has typically been recommended once a spinal curve reaches 25 degrees. However, this research suggests that some children and teens with smaller curves who are still growing may benefit from beginning treatment sooner. 

Published in JBJS Open Access, the study was led by senior scientist Karina A. Zapata, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., and featured spinal experts, such as Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., Director of Orthotics Don Virostek, C.P.O., L.P.O., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Megan E. Johnson, M.D. The research followed 414 children with AIS. They compared 207 children who began wearing a brace when their spinal curve measured between 15 and 24 degrees with 207 other children who followed the traditional approach of waiting until the curve reached 25 degrees before beginning treatment. 

They found that children who began bracing earlier were more likely to see their curves improve or remain stable and were significantly less likely to experience progression to curves severe enough to require surgery. 

By intervening earlier, physicians may be able to help guide spinal growth before curves become more difficult to manage. While not every child with scoliosis will need a brace, these findings highlight the importance of personalized treatment plans based on a child’s age, remaining growth and curve pattern. 

At Scottish Rite for Children, spine specialists combine research, experience and individualized care to develop the best treatment plan for every patient. Whether treatment involves observation, custom bracing or surgery, the goal is to help children stay active and continue doing the things they love.  

As research continues to shape the future of scoliosis care, these findings offer another step toward more personalized treatment for children with AIS.