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Kyler Finds Her Own Rhythm With Cerebral Palsy

Kyler Finds Her Own Rhythm With Cerebral Palsy

by | Nov 10, 2025 | Neurology

As a member of her school’s drill team, Kyler has an unmatched love for dance that shines. Before she could learn her first routine, the 12-year-old had to overcome challenges that made moving around difficult.

When Kyler took her first steps as a toddler, her parents noticed her walking pattern, or gait, was unusual. It prompted her family to search for answers in their area. Eventually, Kyler underwent surgery to help improve her gait and release muscle tension. The issue returned when Kyler turned 6 due to a large growth spurt. To find answers, Kyler’s pediatrician referred her to Scottish Rite for Children.

“When we came to Scottish Rite for the first time, I remember thinking, ‘Oh my, this is different,’” says Chelsea, Kyler’s mother. “I can’t help but think of how blessed we are to be able to come to a place like this.”

Initially, Kyler saw a range of pediatric orthopedic experts to address her gait. She and her family met with Scottish Rite’s Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine team for further testing. Kyler was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), which is one of the most common childhood disorders that affects muscles and movement. Kyler’s form of CP causes weakness in her muscles on the right side of her body, known as right hemiparesis, which affected her gait.

“Honestly, we rely on our team at Scottish Rite in regard to Kyler’s CP and how to manage it,” Chelsea says. “They are always here for Kyler. If there is something going on, I know I can call our team at any time about anything.”

At the forefront of Kyler’s care team is pediatric physical medicine & rehabilitation physician Fabiola I. Reyes, M.D. Dr. Reyes monitors Kyler’s condition for muscle tightness and administers injections to relax Kyler’s muscles and relieve pain. Additionally, Kyler wears a custom foot orthosis on her right foot that helps her alignment and stability when walking.

“Kyler enjoys getting to visit with her CP team,” Chelsea says. “They have all gotten to know her so well and value her input on her treatment.”

Under Dr. Reyes’ care, Kyler’s range of motion and alignment when walking has improved. Now, Kyler can focus on what she loves most — dancing, shopping and spending time with her friends and family.

“Yes, CP is a lifelong condition, but at Scottish Rite, your team is there for you through it all,” Chelsea says. “With the right guidance and plan of care, the pressure and uncertainty you feel as a family can be lifted at Scottish Rite. The staff is truly exceptional, phenomenal and one-of-a-kind!”

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Scottish Rite for Children Physicians Earn Top National Research Honors

Scottish Rite for Children Physicians Earn Top National Research Honors

by | Nov 5, 2025 | Research & Innovation

Scottish Rite for Children is proud to announce our physicians have received three of the most prestigious awards in pediatric orthopedic research in 2025 — the POSNA Best Clinical Research Paper Award, the SRS Hibbs Award and the PRiSM Hank Chambers Award for Best Scientific Presentation. Earning all three in the same year is a rare and extraordinary recognition of the impact our doctors are making on children’s health.

These awards are significant because they highlight research that transforms the way children are cared for. They recognize studies that provide new evidence, guide treatment decisions and directly improve outcomes for patients and families. By earning top honors at the most respected academic meetings in our field, Scottish Rite physicians are advancing knowledge that directly translates into better outcomes for patients.

Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., provides presentation at POSNA.

POSNA Best Clinical Research Paper Award — Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., and David A. Podeszwa, M.D. 

This honor was awarded by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) to a study led by chief of staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon and clinical director of the Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction David A. Podeszwa, M.D. Their research, Open vs Closed Treatment for Unstable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE): A Randomized Control Trial Comparing Outcome and Complications, compared two surgical approaches for treating this serious hip condition. The study found that the open surgical approach resulted in better outcomes and fewer reoperations compared to the closed approach, while the risk of avascular necrosis remained low in both groups. For families, this means children facing SCFE have a better chance of preserving hip function, avoiding additional surgeries and enjoying a higher quality of life. 

Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., and Karina Zapata, Ph.D., pose with their award from the Scoliosis Research Society.

SRS Hibbs Award — Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., Karina Zapata, Ph.D., and Charles E. Johnston, M.D. 

This honor was awarded by the Scoliosis Research Society to a study led by pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., senior scientist Karina Zapata, Ph.D., and assistant chief of staff emeritus Charles E. Johnston, M.D. Their research, Wait to Operate: Surgery Demonstrated No Pulmonary Benefit Compared to Non-Operative Treatment in EOS Patients, reviewed nearly 20 years of data and found that pulmonary function declined at similar rates whether patients had surgery or were treated non-operatively. For families, this helps set realistic expectations and supports individualized care planning, ensuring treatment decisions balance risks and benefits for each child. 

The Hank Chambers Award for Best Scientific Presentation at the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Annual Meeting was presented to the Research in Osteochondritis of the Knee (ROCK) Group, represented by Henry B. Ellis, M.D.

PRiSM Hank Chambers: Best Scientific Presentation — ROCK Study Group, Henry B. Ellis, M.D. 

The Hank Chambers Award for Best Scientific Presentation at the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Annual Meeting was presented to the Research in Osteochondritis of the Knee (ROCK) Group, represented by pediatric orthopedic surgeon, medical director of clinical research and program director for the Orthopedic Sports Fellowship Henry B. Ellis, M.D., for their study The Role of Unloader Bracing in Non-Operative Treatment of Stable Medial Femoral Condyle Osteochondritis Dissecans: An Analysis of the ROCK Study Cohort. The ROCK Group is a collaborative, multidisciplinary research organization dedicated to advancing knowledge in osteochondritis dissecans.

Ellis and assistant chief of staff and director of the Center for Excellence in Sports Medicine Philip L. Wilson, M.D., are primary contributors to the group, with Ellis set to become its president this winter. The study found that the use of valgus unloader bracing did not improve healing or patient-reported outcomes compared to other non-operative treatments. For families, this provides clearer guidance on when bracing may or may not help, ensuring treatment plans are evidence-based and tailored to each child. 

Advancing Research, Improving Care 

Winning these awards in the same year underscores Scottish Rite’s role as a national and global leader in pediatric orthopedics. Our research is not only shaping the field but also helping children and families receive the very best care here in Dallas and around the world. 

Fueled by Hope: How Andrew Returned to the Game After Perthes

Fueled by Hope: How Andrew Returned to the Game After Perthes

by | Nov 4, 2025 | Hip Disorders

Previously published in Rite Up, 2025 – Issue 3

The hope of winning is what fuels 10-year-old Andrew, a passionate multisport athlete of Redmond, Oregon. He always plays with a heart full of ambition, unaware that this same spirit would be a guiding force throughout his treatment process.

In second grade, Andrew developed pain in his knee and began to limp. A local provider diagnosed him with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, or Perthes disease, a rare childhood hip disorder. The condition affected the ball of Andrew’s right hip joint. The blood supply to the ball of his hip joint was disrupted, which caused his bone to die in a process known as osteonecrosis.

“We were devastated,” says Megan, Andrew’s mother. “I watched Andrew’s heart break right in front of me, especially when we learned he couldn’t play sports for a while. I didn’t know how we would get through this.”

Initially, Andrew underwent surgery and wore a cast, but his condition did not improve. Megan searched for other treatment options and discovered Harry Kim M.D., M.S., a world-renowned expert in Perthes disease and director of the Center for Excellence in Hip at Scottish Rite for Children.

After a flight from Oregon to Dallas, Andrew’s family found solutions to their son’s condition at Scottish Rite. Andrew underwent a perfusion MRI that revealed he had only 30% to 40% of blood flow to the ball of his hip joint. Dr. Kim performed surgery on Andrew’s thigh bone and repositioned the ball of his femur into the hip socket. Then, he installed metal plates and screws to stabilize the hip and promote blood flow.

“In older patients like Andrew, surgery reduces the chance of needing additional surgeries later on,” Dr. Kim says. “Some people assume Perthes disease negatively affects children’s lives. However, families should always stay hopeful. With the right treatment, we can help children return to the activities they love.”

After a year of healing, Dr. Kim cleared Andrew to walk, run and play again. Andrew made a grand return to his Little League team and continues his path of becoming a sports legend, thanks to the hope his care team and family kept throughout his care.

“Dr. Kim is not just knowledgeable about Perthes disease, but he also understands the mental toll it takes on kids and their families,” Megan says. “You can feel Dr. Kim’s passion. It’s not just his job — it’s his calling. Thanks to Scottish Rite, I finally can relax because I know Andrew is in the best hands.”

WFAA: Scottish Rite’s Luke Waites Center Drives Dyslexia Research and Education

WFAA: Scottish Rite’s Luke Waites Center Drives Dyslexia Research and Education

by | Nov 3, 2025 | Dyslexia & Learning Disorders, Press Coverage

WFAA recently featured the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Scottish Rite for Children in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month.

For more than 60 years, the Center has transformed the lives of children with dyslexia through innovative, research-based programs like the Dyslexia Laboratory School and the Take Flight curriculum.

Developed and piloted at Scottish Rite, these programs provide individualized instruction that builds reading skills, confidence, and independence. Now implemented in districts like Fort Worth ISD, their impact continues to grow.

Watch the full story on WFAA here.

Chaplaincy Care: Nurturing the Human Spirit

Chaplaincy Care: Nurturing the Human Spirit

by | Oct 30, 2025 | Spotlight

Previously published in Rite Up, 2025 – Issue 3

Chaplaincy Care is a meaningful part of life at Scottish Rite for Children, and it is available to everyone. This service provides spiritual, religious, emotional and cultural support to patients, families and staff members. This year, Scottish Rite celebrates its first full-time chaplain, Jerilynn Putnam, MA/TH, MA/PM.

“Through chaplaincy care, I build relationships with individuals,” Putnam says. “By meeting an individual where they are, I learn how they seek and express meaning and purpose and the way their experience connects to the moment, to self, to others, to nature and to the significant or sacred.”

Patient Norah engages in a creative intervention with Jerilynn Putnam as her, Julie, observes.

Patient Norah engages in a creative intervention with Jerilynn Putnam as her mother, Julie, observes.

Putnam’s day begins by checking on the Inpatient Unit overnight staff members. Next, she supports the pre-op nurses and those who prepare patients for surgery. She also meets with patients in pre-op, offers hospitality and discerns their needs. “When prayer is important to them, then I pray with them before they go into surgery,” Putnam says.

Putnam loves to share her creativity and spiritual interventions with the patients and caregivers staying in the Inpatient Unit. She builds rapport and trust, fosters a nurturing environment, connects with the child and invites them to examine how they feel about themselves and about being in the hospital. Often, her encounters reveal a patient’s values, worldview and a desire for prayer. “It’s the child’s choice, and I respect what they need on that particular day,” Putnam says. “My role helps ensure that we care for the whole child, not only physically but also spiritually and religiously, when requested.”

In Sunday Chapel Circles, patients and their caregivers may participate in Godly Play. This intervention helps support everyone’s spiritual journey by inviting them to make meaning through story, wonder and play. Putnam also recognizes interfaith religious events and holidays in the chapel by offering a rite, ritual or reflection. Blessing of the Hands is a very special ceremony that Putnam may perform anywhere at Scottish Rite. With outstretched hands, she blesses surgeons, nurses and therapists whose receptive palms face open to the sky.

Jerilynn Putnam prays with Scottish Rite for Children's staff members.