Leonardo Solis was an active seven-year-old boy who loved wrestling and SpongeBob SquarePants when his family received some devastating news: he has leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow and tissues). For the next four months, Leonardo underwent chemotherapy at the Children's Medical Center at Summerlin Hospital.

The Children's Medical Center is a place where infants, children and adolescents can get the care they need in a warm, family-friendly environment. Staff provides a comprehensive array of services in the Children's Medical Center's advanced facility, which features a general Pediatric Unit, a Pediatric Emergency Room and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

More Than Medicine
During Leonardo's hospital stay, Jody Bardoun, CCLS, a child life specialist at the Children's Medical Center, played an instrumental role in helping Leonardo and his family understand his disease and its treatment. She also planned fun activities to make his hospital stay more enjoyable.

"Leo's immune system was so weak that he spent a lot of time in isolation," Bardoun said. "Since he couldn't participate in group activities, I went to his room to do arts and crafts and play board and video games with him. When we played group bingo, which was his favorite game, we called him on the phone so he could participate."

Lifesaving Care
Having a broad array of care in one facility made it easier for the Solis family to endure Leonardo's treatment, especially when he developed pneumonia during his last month of chemotherapy. Leonardo was so sick that he spent weeks in the PICU, sedated and on a ventilator.

Eventually his condition improved, and he was able to leave the hospital in a wheelchair. Today, Leonardo is in remission and back at school. "Leo is amazing," Bardoun said. "His life was in danger so many times, but he was able to get through it all and still act like a typical, fun-loving kid."

Leonardo's family couldn't be happier. "We think Summerlin is the best medical center in Nevada," said the Solis family. "They have the most professional staff we have ever seen. We love them and consider them part of our family now."

+75% -- Amount the remission rate for children with cancer has risen over the past 40 years.

Why Choose Summerlin Hospital?
Read more about why people choose the Children's Medical Center at Summerlin Hospital and other hospitals in The Valley Health System at www.IchooseSummerlin.com.

657 N. Town Center Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89144 www.summerlinhospital.org