IOWA CITY, Iowa —

Luke Johnston, an 8-year-old from Dunlap, Illinois, will be honored as Kid Captain during the Iowa Hawkeyes' game against Minnesota on Oct. 25.

Luke was diagnosed at age 6 with atlanto-occipital assimilation, an extremely rare spinal condition. He faced the risk of paralysis, and his parents found the necessary surgical expertise close to home, despite only a few surgeons worldwide performing the operation he needed.

Luke's cervical spinal fusion surgery was performed at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Halloween of 2024. His care team dressed up in costume to make him feel like he wasn’t missing out. Luke’s long recovery was made brighter with help from the hospital’s facility dog, Corrin.

Luke is now 8 years old and in second grade. He enjo

See Full Page