Celebrating Patients and Families at the Wyss/Campbell CTIS 2023 Reunion
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More than 100 people gathered at the Philadelphia Zoo on May 20 to celebrate patient milestones at the Wyss/Campbell Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome.
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, more than 100 patients and family members joined staff from the Wyss/Campbell Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome (CTIS) at the Philadelphia Zoo for a fun day to reconnect with their medical team, meet old friends and families who’ve bonded over similar medical journeys, and celebrate how far these once-medically fragile children have come.
Held in the Rare Animal Conservation Center Atrium at the Zoo, the event included a brief ceremony led by physician leaders Patrick J. Cahill, MD, director of the Wyss/Campbell CTIS; John M. Flynn, MD, Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics; Jason B. Anari, MD, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon; and Susanne Manzoni, BSN, RN, nurse manager. Joining them was Stephen A. Schwartz, a representative of Hansjorg Wyss, Chairman of the Wyss Medical Foundation and principal donor to the Wyss/Campbell Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome.
Check out photos from our 2023 CTIS Reunion and plan to join us next year
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During a short ceremony, CHOP’s clinical team presented certificates to nearly 20 patients who have recently graduated from the program, and more than a dozen who achieved personal milestones. Patients were lauded for learning how to breakdance, roller skate and skateboard, earning good grades, celebrating a bar mitzvah and being a bridesmaid, among other personal achievements.
After a short ceremony and group photo, families were encouraged to wander around the nation’s oldest zoo for the rest of the day. Though the weather dampened some participants enthusiasm for the outing, the animals and lighter crowds allowed many families to see more of the zoo’s residents – from scaly reptiles and giant tortoises, to lions, tigers and bears, from penguins and flamingos to owls and raptors, and the many rare and endangered animals at the Rare Animal Conservation Center.
“It was great to see so many of our patients and families together again. It’s wonderful to see how our patients have grown and to applaud all they have accomplished,” says Dr. Cahill. “They are the reason we do this work and we’re so pleased to celebrate them.”
Plans for the next CTIS reunion are just getting started, but Dr. Cahill is hoping to make it bigger and better than ever!
