Author:

Taylor Ballek

Taylor Ballek is a multimedia visual storyteller for the Health Beat team. Born in Winfield, Illinois, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from Central Michigan University in 2015. Her love for storytelling continues to grow with every person she has the privilege to meet through her journey of photojournalism. In her spare time she enjoys hammocking near Lake Michigan, rollerblading, collecting antique clocks, trying new restaurants and traveling to new cities.

Posts from Taylor Ballek

Patient Story

COVID-19 inspiration: ‘Can’t wait to see you and give you a hug’

Whiteboard messages from patients provide a dose of hope and inspiration during the pandemic.

A spoonful of gratitude

Hudsonville Ice Cream donates 3,000 pints to Spectrum Health employees as part of the local company's Random Acts of Ice Cream initiative.

Patient Story

COVID-19 window messages: ‘I miss you’

Through a window and whiteboard, patients share their love and insights with community and family members.

Patient Story

‘His birthday will always be a party’

Riggs Wilder Deming is the first baby of the year.

Patient Story

‘It’s good for everybody’s heart’

Charlie, a miniature therapy horse, visited his favorite neigh-bors in Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Patient Story

May the force heal you

Star Wars characters visit patients and lift spirits at children's hospital.

Patient Story

‘Future generation philanthropists’

The third annual Epic Toy Drive came rolling in true to form this holiday season—a group of giving students with a busload of toys.

Patient Story

‘Lots of toys and joy’

The Bottomless Toy Chest delivers more than 350 toys to children in the hospital.

Patient Story

The gift of giving during the holidays

Young hematology and oncology patients and siblings shop for presents for their families.

Patient Story

Batman beats the heat to visit patients

Superhero swoops into children's hospital for a visit.

Patient Story

It’s back to school for children’s hospital

Young patients experience that back-to-school feeling with an afternoon of fun activities.

Patient Story

Knocking cancer out of the park

Seventeen children's hospital patients became celebrities for the night with the West Michigan Whitecaps.