Valley Children's Healthcare

Ashley Palacio

3 months ago

★★★★★

I don’t normally leave reviews, but I wanted to share our experience in hopes that it helps another family. About a year ago, our daughter was hospitalized after a serious head injury. During one of the most frightening moments of our lives, we met with Dr. Brown to discuss her MRI results. To add to the emotional weight of the situation, I was also 21 weeks pregnant at the time. I want to first recognize Nurse Practitioner Laura, who was incredibly kind, patient, and took the time to explain things in a way we could understand. We were very grateful for her. Unfortunately, our experience with Dr. Brown was very different. When she entered the room, she briefly acknowledged our daughter and immediately began explaining the MRI using medical terminology while pointing to the images. As parents seeing our child’s brain scan for the first time, we were scared and trying to understand what we were looking at. When I asked whether one of the images was zoomed in, I was met with what felt like a dismissive response rather than an explanation. I explained that I wasn’t questioning her knowledge or expertise—I was simply asking for clarification because this was an overwhelming situation for us as parents. I shared that while these conversations may be routine for medical professionals, they are anything but routine for families. The interaction became increasingly uncomfortable. When my husband expressed that we were simply looking for understanding and compassionate communication, Dr. Brown responded, “She’s not dead, she’s alive, isn’t she?” That statement is something neither of us will ever forget. We ultimately asked that another provider continue our daughter’s care because we no longer felt comfortable with the interaction. I’m sharing this review not to attack anyone’s medical knowledge. I believe technical skill and compassionate communication are equally important, especially in pediatrics. Parents whose children are hospitalized are often experiencing one of the worst days of their lives. We don’t expect perfection—we simply hope to be treated with patience, empathy, and respect while trying to understand what’s happening to our child. Thankfully, our daughter recovered, and we are incredibly grateful for everyone who cared for her with kindness. I hope this feedback encourages more compassionate communication with families during such vulnerable moments.

Victoria Ragsdale

4 months ago

★★★★★

I’m not sure what nurses or doctors or really anyone that I met today was.. I just know my daughter needed medical attention and although I might have been a little bit rude to the person in the front after I went through security because they prioritized a boy before my daughter… they took good care of us. My daughter is home tonight and I have peace of mind that she will be okay… I believe every single personal that works here down to the janitor…deserves recognition… these individuals only care about one thing and that is to figure out what it is that your child may need… I showed up to the emergency room per my pediatricians orders.i am so thankful.

Erin Melkonian

5 months ago

★★★★★

For years, my family believed in Valley Children's Hospital. We supported the hospital financially, trusted its leadership, and genuinely believed it represented the highest standard of pediatric care available in the Central Valley. When my five-year-old daughter became critically ill in December of 2020, there was never a question in our minds about where we would take her. We believed she would be safe there. We were wrong. What began as severe stomach pain and vomiting rapidly evolved into a catastrophic case of E. coli and hemolytic uremic syndrome that shut down my daughter’s kidneys and pushed her body into multi-organ failure. As parents, we entered the most terrifying chapter of our lives expecting to see urgency, coordination, expertise, and compassion. Instead, we watched a system fail her in ways that still haunt me years later. One of the most shocking realizations was learning that Valley Children’s did not even have an in-house dialysis program for critically ill children. The treatment my daughter desperately needed to survive was outsourced. Technicians routinely arrived hours late. On one occasion, they arrived without the correct equipment and had to leave again to retrieve supplies while my daughter continued to deteriorate. I remember staring at my five-year-old child, swollen beyond recognition, in obvious pain, looking nine months pregnant from fluid buildup, while being told delay after delay was somehow acceptable. Even more disturbing than the delays was the culture of dismissal. Every concern my husband and I raised was minimized. When I said she was getting worse, I was told this was “normal.” When her condition visibly declined, I was reassured instead of heard. Looking back now, I cannot describe the guilt I carry for believing them for as long as I did. We trusted the people who were supposed to save our daughter, and that trust nearly cost her life. Eventually, after weeks of worsening complications, doctors discovered that my daughter had a perforated bowel and severe infection. We were told she had almost no chance of surviving surgery. Imagine hearing someone calmly explain that your child will likely die either during the operation or shortly after it. There are no words for that kind of devastation. After surgery, septic and fighting for her life, we begged to transfer her to. Instead of helping facilitate that transfer with urgency, we faced delays, excuses, and even pressure from physicians questioning why we would leave, insisting Valley Children’s could do everything Stanford could do. That statement still infuriates me, because the moment we arrived at Stanford, it became painfully obvious that it was not true. At Stanford, we witnessed what true pediatric critical care looks like. Teams of physicians collaborated constantly. Specialists monitored her minute by minute. Doctors listened to us. They pursued answers aggressively. They had advanced resources immediately available, including specialized dialysis services and imaging materials Valley Children’s either did not have or did not pursue. Most importantly, they treated my daughter like a child worth fighting for, not a routine case to be managed. The difference between the two hospitals was not subtle. It was staggering. To this day, what disturbs me is the apparent normalization of mediocrity while simultaneously marketing the institution as “the best.” Families in the Central Valley deserve honesty about what a hospital can and cannot handle. They deserve leadership more focused on patient outcomes than public image. And they deserve a hospital that prioritizes lifesaving care over financial calculations and executive compensation packages. My daughter survived, but she continues to live with the consequences of what happened. Our family carries emotional scars that will never fully heal. I am sharing this because I cannot stay silent knowing other families may walk through those same doors believing what we once believed. Children in the Central Valley deserve better.

Esmeralda Vallejo

6 months ago

★★★★★

We were transported by ambulance to Valley Children’s Hospital and expected a higher level of professionalism and consistency in care. Upon arrival, staff appeared unorganized while trying to locate a room for us. The first staff member who approached us to collect information did not introduce herself and was not very welcoming or professional. Once we were placed in a room, Meaghan and Mathew provided exceptional care. They made us feel comfortable during a very stressful situation and were among the best staff members we encountered. Alyssa was also helpful. The doctors were thorough, compassionate, and ensured we understood all the information regarding our child’s care. After being admitted to the short stay area, the night shift nurses were outstanding. They were kind, attentive, and compassionate throughout our stay. In particular, a short Asian nurse with blonde hair, along with the charge nurse, provided excellent care and support. Unfortunately, our experience during the day shift was not as positive. Our tech, Alex, was not very helpful. When we asked for assistance, her response was often, “I don’t know,” which added to the frustration and stress of the situation. Sarah, however, was very kind and professional. The dietitian was also pleasant and helpful. The most disappointing part of our experience was with the diabetes educator. We were already overwhelmed by everything happening, and instead of offering reassurance and support, she made the situation even more stressful. She was rude not only to us but also to the nursing staff. Her behavior was unprofessional and lacked compassion during a difficult time. While there were several staff members who provided excellent care, the inconsistency in professionalism and bedside manner was disappointing for a children’s hospital. Based on this experience, we would not choose to return.

RJ13_ KÁHŁWÄ (AVĒĒ)

8 months ago

★★★★★

Thank you all team from ❤️ELLAHI KAUR KAHLON ❤️Chia,Sandy,Payton,Denial ,Barbara I would like to sincerely thank the entire team at Valley Children’s Hospital for providing the best baby care we could have ever hoped for. From the moment we arrived, the doctors, nurses, and support staff showed incredible compassion, professionalism, and dedication. They treated our baby with such gentleness and attention, making us feel confident and reassured during a very emotional time. The medical team explained every procedure clearly and kept us informed at each step. The nurses were especially kind, patient, and always ready to help, no matter the time of day. Their warmth and caring nature truly made a difference in our experience. The hospital environment was clean, safe, and very child-friendly, which gave us even more peace of mind. We are deeply grateful for the outstanding care, quick response, and genuine concern shown by everyone at Valley Children’s Hospital. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to giving every child the best possible care. We will always remember the kindness and support we received.