From a young age, Tracey knew her very rare congenital heart condition would prevent her from safely giving birth. However, she aspired to be a mother, and through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, a gestational surrogate was able to carry her twins. The twins were at high risk of developing heart defects because of Tracey’s condition, and a 12-week ultrasound revealed that both twins, Riley and Emery, would be born with congenital heart defects. Immediately after they were born, the twins were rushed to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where they received different procedures to support their unique heart conditions. Doctors determined that Riley would need heart surgery in the near future, and Emery would require surgery or catheterization once she’s four or five years old. The twins soon began recovering from their initial treatments and were able to go home just in time for a family Thanksgiving! Experts at Wolfson will continue to provide care as Riley and Emery grow up, ensuring they live vibrant and happy lives. 

Christian had just turned two when his mother tragically passed away from years of battling with drug addiction. His grandmother, Donna, immediately became his guardian and felt helpless watching him struggle to process his grief, which led to trouble eating and even speaking. Once Christian started first grade, he began having traumatic flashbacks of his mother’s death and was having trouble managing those intense emotions. Donna knew Christian needed mental health counseling, but the high cost, months-long wait times, and far distances to care centers made it challenging to access the services he needed. Fortunately, Christian’s school has a school-based health center through Nemours Children’s Health, allowing him to talk to a therapist down the hall from his classroom. This program brought peace of mind to Donna and helped her understand Christian’s grief. It’s important to remember that grief often comes in waves, and people process it in their own unique ways. Programs like Nemours’ clinic break down barriers to mental health care access, ensuring kids receive the care they need to process new emotions and life events. 

At only ten years old, Finland has worn so many foot casts that they fill a giant box at his house. This is because Finland was born with a significant congenital clubfoot abnormality on both feet. Luckily, he never needed foot surgery. Instead, his primary doctor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital took a non-surgical route involving a series of cast corrections and braces to gradually correct his clubfoot. Nearly every week after Finland was born, he returned to the hospital for a new cast. Then, from 18 months to four years old, he only had to wear the boots while he slept. Once he was four, he was done with the braces and immediately took advantage of his functioning feet. From playing basketball and football to joining the wrestling team, Finland has become quite the athlete who’s always setting goals for himself. Now, Finland visits Cincinnati once a year for cast corrections, which he then wears for three weeks at a time. And at every annual visit, Finland sets a new goal to achieve over the next year!

Caitlin’s pregnancy with Jack was going well until a 20-week ultrasound revealed cleft lip and palate. After learning that this condition can cause problems with feeding and speaking, among other complications, Caitlin and her husband Patrick were scared for what the future might hold. Thankfully, they found a doctor at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital who walked them through all the surgeries, speech therapy, and other treatments Jack would need. But as Caitlin neared her due date, she was diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder, causing Jack to be born early at 36 weeks. He spent his first three weeks in the NICU, and after he came home, he prepared for his two cleft surgeries. The surgeries went well, and now, as a toddler, Jack is an adorable curly-haired boy who is developing and talking normally. Jack will continue to visit the team at MUSC to combat any complications that may occur as he grows and develops.  

After working with medically fragile infants as an emergency room tech, Bree McCarty was quickly inspired to become a foster parent for children with unique health needs. She and her husband, Tim, began fostering 4-month-old Carlos. While they didn’t have much information about Carlos’ complex medical needs, Mary Bridge Children’s neonatal follow-up clinic discovered he had hydrocephalus and was missing part of his brain. Carlos underwent multiple surgeries, including surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain and open-heart surgery. He also received a G-tube for nutrition. Carlos graduated from the neonatal follow-up clinic at 3 years old. Shortly after, the McCarty family celebrated Carlos’ long-awaited adoption and are thrilled to continue their life together. Continuing his care journey, Carlos works with therapists at the Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy – Puyallup and is now a bubbly 5-year-old who is thriving. Carlos is learning to walk and loves kindergarten, his siblings, and making people laugh. His parents say his adorable dimples help him get away with goofing around!

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently introduced Angel 7, a first-of-its-kind ambulance in Tennessee. Angel 7 is the first ambulance in its group to offer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a type of life support that provides oxygen to the heart and lungs in severe situations. While most patients can only receive ECMO once they arrive at a hospital, Angel 7 allows the team to provide this critical care for pediatric patients, like 5-year-old Gracie Conlon, while transporting them to Monroe Carell. Gracie suffers from an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). Earlier this year, she was exhibiting severe symptoms and needed ECMO support, but she was 200 miles away from the nearest ECMO center. Fortunately, Angel 7 was able to transport her while simultaneously providing the critical care that saved her life. Angel 7 has changed the course of critical care in Tennessee and will help more pediatric patients sooner and throughout the transport process.