Anderson Ata is a typical 10-year-old who likes playing basketball and hanging out with his friends, but on New Year’s Eve he got really sick.
“I took a couple of covers from my cabinet and put them on me, waited about an hour and I was still shaking and I didn’t know what was happening,” Anderson Ata explained to FOX 35 News Anchor Amy Kaufeldt.
Doctors diagnosed Anderson with early stages of Type 1 diabetes. The family was referred to Dr. Konda Reddy to administer the life-changing monoclonal antibody treatment. Anderson became the seventh patient in the world, and the first in Orlando, to receive the new FDA-approved drug called Tzield.
To determine eligibility for the treatment, a simple blood test is performed. TZIELD, is the first drug that can delay the progression of Type 1 diabetes by up to three years in adults and up to eight years in children.
AdventHealth was a part of a large global research study which led to TZIELD gaining FDA-approval. When TZIELD became available on the market at the beginning of the year, AdventHealth was one of a handful of hospital systems administering the groundbreaking treatment.
Learn more about how the treatment is given and how Anderson is doing post treatment, here.
12 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow. These items are in a slider. To advance slider forward, press Shift-Command-Right Arrow. To advance slider backward, press Shift-Command-Left Arrow.
News
Two cancer-care colleagues spent years helping patients. Then they needed each other.
For four years, Karen Grant and Rosa Somsky worked across the hall, helping people navigate cancer at the Freytag Cancer Center at AdventHealth Palm Coast. Then, within weeks of each other, they...
News
Compassionate wound care focused on helping patients heal
When a wound is slow to heal, it can affect more than your physical health. It can make everyday activities harder, create uncertainty and keep you from the moments that matter most.
Video
AdventHealth Florida Economic Impact
AdventHealth’s impact in Florida goes beyond healthcare. As a faith-based organization, we help strengthen our communities by creating jobs, supporting local growth and investing in the health and...
News
AdventHealth offers patients convenient access to urgent, primary care in New Smyrna Beach
The State Road 44 site includes New Smyrna Beach’s first AdventHealth Centra Care and Volusia County’s second Primary Care+ clinic.
News
Dr. Joseph Lopez, one of the U.S.’s ‘Top Hispanic Doctors,’ on the lightbulb moment that shaped his career
For the third year in a row, Castle Connolly has chosen Dr. Joseph Lopez as one of the nation’s Top Hispanic & Latino Doctors.
News
Future healthcare professionals to train in region’s newest state-of-the-art simulation building
AdventHealth University’s Simulation Center is designed to meet Central Florida’s growing healthcare workforce needs.
News
Prostate cancer survivor reunites with physician who supported him through treatment
After surgery for prostate cancer, Ernesto Rodriguez reunites with AdventHealth East Orlando urologist and reflects on faith, family and whole-person care.
Media Coverage
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says he's cancer-free after prostate surgery at AdventHealth Celebration
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says he is cancer-free following prostate cancer surgery performed by Vipul Patel, MD, at AdventHealth Celebration.
News
A new ‘NICU on wheels’ will help keep moms, babies and families together when care matters most
A new ambulance can provide hospital-level care for mothers, newborns and children during transfers between AdventHealth facilities in West Florida.
News
After years of pain, three patients found a path forward
Different injuries and complicated histories brought them to Dr. Russell Huffman. What they shared was a need for answers, healing and a return to everyday life.
News
Vizient recognizes AdventHealth hospitals as national top performers for care quality, safety
Twenty-two AdventHealth hospitals in communities across the country have been named 2026 Top Performers by Vizient.
News
AdventHealth expands emergency, outpatient care to The Aurora Highlands
The new facility brings 24/7 emergency care and expanded access to health services to the growing Aurora community.
