Teen celebrity chef thankful for care at MercyOne

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If you haven’t heard of Nash Roe, you may be surprised to know he is a celebrity baker in Des Moines, Iowa. At 15 years old, Nash has already starred in an Emmy-nominated show on the Food Network, Kids Baking Championship Season 11.  

Ever since he was a toddler, Nash says he loved to cook and be in the kitchen. He learned to cook from his mother and grandmother, and now he is an entrepreneur, an award-winning chef, and social media and television personality. Before February of 2024, Nash felt unstoppable in his successful career and future. However, a freak accident stopped him in his tracks.

An unexpected turn of events

On a family trip in Wyoming, Nash was skiing and hit an unexpected patch of ice. He had two choices, ski into a grove of trees, or fly off a ledge. After making a quick decision, he chose to go off the ledge, resulting in a trip to the ER where he learned he fractured his hip. Surgery was performed, and Nash had new hardware in his hip upon returning home to Iowa.  

Fast forward to late March of 2024 when Nash found out some troubling news. His hip developed early signs of avascular necrosis, which is when the bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply. He would need a second surgery to reduce the risk of a full hip replacement. Staying positive and thankful, Nash posted on social media about the care he experienced at the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, saying, “I have an amazing medical team to help combat this condition.”

Healing and recovery

In late May, Nash went to his six-week post-operative appointment, and the x-rays showed his hip was healing well. Nash’s orthopedist who performed the surgery at MercyOne, Stephen Carveth, MD from Iowa Ortho, a partnering orthopedic center, didn't see any worsening bone collapse or reabsorption. He also told Nash that they were in a “long -term relationship” with his journey to a full recovery.

Finally in July, Nash was out of the wheelchair and able to walk on his own, without crutches. Nash posted on social media, “This has been the most challenging six months, mentally and physically...The whole recovery has been quite the experience that taught me how to pivot and face fears.” He was thrilled to begin physical therapy and move forward from his injury.

Back to “normal”

By August, Nash was back to good health and participated in the Iowa State Fair, with his award-winning cinnamon rolls on display and judging the “Kid Chef Baking Championship.” Later in the month, Chef Paul Wahlberg, known for Wahlburgers restaurant, came to Iowa and joined Nash in his home kitchen where they had a friendly baking competition. Additionally, Nash has made several appearances on various TV shows and has a huge social media presence. In 2022, he won several awards for his Pecan Pie Cheesecake, including “Best in Show,” “Best in Class, and “Best Overall.” He also owns a thriving business, Nash’s Confections.

Despite a very difficult six months of recovery and rehabilitation, Nash is grateful for the care he received at MercyOne that led him back to good health and to his active life and career, saying "After my skiing accident in Wyoming, it was reassuring to know that I would have outstanding follow-up surgical care with Iowa Ortho at MercyOne. Thank you to Dr. Carveth and his team for everything!" When asked if he would ever ski again, Nash says, “I told my family we could go on a ski trip, and I would wave at them from the ski lodge while enjoying some hot apple cider.”