Lifesaving AVM Treatment Puts a Young Soccer Player on the Road to Recovery

On April 1, 2025, 9-year-old Noah Gibson spent the morning trying to prank his parents for April Fool’s Day, complaining he was hurt and joking he couldn’t go to school.

But when he came back a little later, clutching the right side of his head and complaining of pain, his mother, Jessica Gibson, didn’t laugh.

In her gut, she knew something was wrong. On the way to the hospital, she noticed he had low energy and wasn’t responding – unusual for her energetic son, who loved soccer.

A Rare and Serious Diagnosis



At the hospital, Noah was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain, specifically in an area responsible for the coordination of the arms and legs.

The family, who live in West Palm Beach, were transferred to a local children’s hospital where Noah underwent embolization, a minimally invasive procedure designed to block abnormal blood vessels and reduce blood flow. During the procedure, his blood pressure spiked, and the team had to stop.

Facing a rare diagnosis Noah’s parents had never heard of, they researched what to do next.

During their search, they came across the story of another young boy treated for an AVM at Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

Jessica reached out to the boy’s mother through Facebook.

“She responded immediately and we talked on the phone, mom-to-mom,” Jessica said. “She told me if she could do anything, she would recommend Dr. Starke.”

Before making their decision, Jessica and her husband met with Dr. Robert M. Starke, co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital and a UHealth – University of Miami Health System neurosurgeon and neuroradiologist, virtually to review Noah’s case. They said he walked them through every available treatment option, explaining the risks and benefits.

They were struck not only by his expertise, but by the compassion and reassurance he offered during a moment that felt overwhelming. After the call, they knew they had found their team.

A Comprehensive Approach



On June 19, 2025, Noah underwent another embolization at Holtz Children’s to help close off blood vessels feeding the AVM. On June 24, he underwent surgery to remove the AVM, performed by Dr. Starke and Dr. Heather J. McCrea, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Holtz Children’s.

“Surgery immediately removes the AVM so that it doesn’t bleed again,” Dr. Starke said. “The challenge was that his AVM was in close proximity to the deep cerebellar nuclei, which can lead to problems with coordination and walking after surgery. In most cases, those deficits improve over time.”

During the surgery, Dr. Starke and his team removed a small section of skull to access the brain. Using a high-powered surgical microscope, they carefully disconnected the feeding arteries, then the draining veins, removing the AVM in a single piece. The bone was then replaced and secured with small plates.

While many hospitals offer only radiosurgery or embolization, few perform complex AVM resections in children. At Jackson and Holtz Children’s, patients have access to the full spectrum of care – comprehensive AVM treatment for both adults and children, including embolization, microsurgery, and focused radiation — along with a neurological rehabilitation program ranked among the best in the country.

Starting to Heal



After surgery, Noah remained hospitalized for two weeks and began occupational therapy and physical therapy. One of his physical therapists at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Kyle Zreibe, really helped him with his balance, walking, and coordination.

“He’s a very determined child,” Jessica said. “Every day when I was there, he insisted on practicing walking, and he would push his wheelchair for support.”

Despite the challenges, Noah remained focused on one goal: returning to the soccer field. His therapists, recognizing his love of the sport, incorporated soccer-inspired movements and drills into his rehabilitation sessions.

Today, he’s back in school and continues to rebuild his strength and coordination. Even on difficult days, Jessica said her son’s perspective continues to surprise her.

“He just feels thankful. He told me, ‘You know, mommy, I kind of saved my own life telling you I had that headache that day.’ And I tell him it’s true,” she said. “When you hear a diagnosis like that, as a parent, you lose a bit of faith. I felt like Dr. Starke gave us the opportunity to just enjoy Noah again, and we’ll forever be grateful for that.”