We were so touched by Dr. Souweidane’s caring attitude,” says mom Allyson Rosenthal. “The team was top-notch. They helped Neil return to his normal, joyous self, and I am forever grateful.”
Neil Rosenthal is an energetic eight-year-old with a passion for Legos and an insatiable curiosity.
Neil’s life took an unexpected turn when he experienced a seizure during a visit to the Bronx Zoo last spring. Initially, his parents thought he was entranced by the alligators, but his “blank-outs,” as his parents referred to them, became a recurring occurrence, leaving Neil nonresponsive for brief periods.
Neil’s parents consulted a local pediatric neurologist, who identified the episodes as seizures and ordered an MRI. The results revealed a tumor in Neil’s brain. In his Long Island office, Mark M. Souweidane, MD, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at NYP/Weill Cornell, proposed that Neil undergo surgery at NYP Komansky Children’s Hospital to remove the tumor.
Neil’s parents felt an immediate connection with Dr. Souweidane, who reassured them and provided answers to their questions. A team of specialists created a comprehensive care plan for Neil.
Before the surgery, a Child Life specialist gave Neil a virtual tour of the hospital to ease his anxiety. On the day of the operation, Dr. Souweidane connected with Neil to make sure he felt confident and safe.
Dr. Souweidane used advanced techniques to precisely remove the tumor. Following a three-day hospital stay, Neil returned home, where he continued to recover. A week later, the good news arrived: Neil’s tumor was benign, and no further therapy was required.
The medical team’s exceptional care, including Dr. Souweidane’s personal touch, left a lasting impact on Neil and his family.