It Takes a Village: The Rhodes' Family Story of Compassion and Collaboration

In November 2024, our daughter Olivia, lovingly known as Livi, experienced an abrupt and frightening change overnight. She was only three years old. One evening, she went to bed her cheerful, curious self. By morning, she seemed like a different child. Over the next two weeks, our world was turned upside down.

As a nurse, I was desperate to find answers. A friend asked if we had tested her for strep throat. I couldn't understand how something so common could cause such severe behavioral and neurological changes. That's when someone sent me an article about PANS/PANDAS, a condition in which infections like strep can trigger sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Reading the article gave me chills; Livi checked every single box. The next day, she tested positive for strep.

We treated the infection aggressively, and though it took time, she slowly and miraculously improved.

Immediately following, whether by coincidence or a connection to PANDAS, Livi began facing challenges including sleep disorder, ADHD, OCD, and some speech and vision issues. Through it all, she remained the same brilliant, kind-hearted, resilient little girl.

In fall of 2025, she started Pre-K at Big A Elementary School, where her teachers and school staff were incredible partners in her care. We were transparent with everyone -- her teachers, her dance instructors, and her healthcare providers -- about her condition and the unpredictable way strep infections affect her. For Livi, strep doesn't just mean a sore throat. It often begins with a fever and can quickly impact her behavior and neurological state. It's terrifying as parents, not knowing how severe each episode might be.

But this story isn't about fear. It's about gratitude.

In the weeks following the start of the school year, our daughter required two hospitalizations within a short time. What stood out most to us wasn't just the medical care she received, but the extraordinary collaboration and compassion across multiple systems in Stephens County.

It started with her teachers, Mrs. Lawson and Mrs. Lexie, who quickly noticed her fever and acted fast. We took her to the Stephens County Hospital Emergency Department, where Dr. Gu, nurse Carrie Clark, and the rest of the ER team treated her with expertise and empathy. They listened, supported, and reassured us through tears and worry.

Dr. Gu and Dr. Reid worked together to get Livi a long-awaited neurology appointment, something we had struggled for months to arrange. That was an answered prayer.

Shortly after, her pediatrician, who has always been one of Livi's biggest advocates, admitted her to a hospital in Gainesville for fluids and further evaluation.

Just a week later, Livi spiked another high fever. She was seen by Reyd Strickland, PA, at WorkWell Occupational Health Clinic, who quickly realized something wasn't right. She sent us to Stephens County Hospital's ER, where Anita English, NP took over her care. Both providers were exceptional. Thanks to their quick thinking, Livi was transfered to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), where we were finally able to make significant progress in understanding and treating her condition.

Many thanks to EMS personnel Matt Moore and Aaron Wilkinson for transporting our daughter safely to CHOA and the 911 dispatch team for giving her a special shout out to calm her fears during the ambulance ride there.

In January 2026, Olivia was officially diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS and promptly began treatment. Though it has been a roller coaster ride, we are grateful that our journey brought us to a specialist in Alabama with an excellent reputation and determination to get our daughter into a state of complete remission. With her diganosis came a lot of lab work. All of the laboratory staff at Stephens County Hospital were exceptional with all of her blood draws and really worked as a team to calm, reassure, and reward her bravery. Her diagnosis also includes many medications; all of the pharmacy team has been amazing and asks about her frequently.

Olivia has more labwork to do, and we have a plan to begin IVIG therapy in Alabama this fall. For many parents, it can take years to get a formal diagnosis of PANDAS. It doesn't fall short on us that Stephens County Hospital played a significant role in assisting us to promptly place her in the right hands.

Beyond the medical care, the outpouring of support from our community was humbling. Our co-workers, leadership, and friends at Stephens County Hospital and Stephens County 911 reached out, sent messages, and offered help in every possible way. Even the hospital's CEO, CFO, and CNO personally checked in. Livi's teachers called daily to check on her. The compassion shown to our family was nothing short of overwhelming.

This is what it means to live in a true community.

This is what "love thy neighbor" looks like.

This is why we are proud to call Stephens County home.

It takes a village, and we are forever grateful for ours.

Way to go, Stephens County Hospital!

Jessica and Danielle Rhodes