Levine Children's

02/26/2026

Before he could even read, Makaio’s story was one of incredible strength and bravery.❤️

At just one month old, Atrium Health Levine Children’s patient Makaio was diagnosed with hypertension and pulmonary artery stenosis, a condition that makes it harder for blood to flow from the heart to the lungs. After consulting with his care team and doing some research of their own, Makaio’s family learned that he would have a complex health journey due to his condition. By six months, his family learned he also had Williams Syndrome — a rare congenital heart defect they had never heard of.

As part of his treatment, Makaio underwent a pulmonary artery stenosis procedure at Levine Children’s Hospital followed by regular catheterizations every six months, to which he showed unwavering resilience through every procedure.

As part of his ongoing heart care, Makaio had to undergo multiple catheter-based procedures with stent placements, performed by Dr. Matthew Shwartz, a Levine Children’s pediatric cardiologist whose expertise and compassion have played a vital role in Makaio’s continued strength and stability.

Through surgeries, long hospital stays and intensive rehabilitation, Makaio has been surrounded by a multidisciplinary team who has helped him reach a milestone that once felt uncertain — being able to walk again.

Today, Makaio is so much more than his diagnoses. He is a kid who loves to make people laugh, proudly shows off his dance moves and leads with a caring, gentle heart that touches everyone around him. Even after everything he has faced is a true warrior whose courage inspires everyone around him.

Makaio, we will always be cheering you on, every step of the way.❤️

02/26/2026

From the moment Landon entered the world at just 32 weeks, his journey was anything but simple. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, he needed immediate specialized care — and Atrium Health Levine Children’s was ready to step in with expert, compassionate support.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a rare congenital condition in which the left side of the heart doesn’t develop properly. For many patients like Landon, being born with this condition meant having to rely on a series of surgeries to reroute blood flow so his heart can function.

Shortly after birth, Landon was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Levine Children's Hospital, where he was intubated and prepared for open‑heart surgery. At just six days old, he underwent a Norwood procedure, the first of three complex surgeries used to reroute blood flow. By his third birthday, Landon had overcome more than most can imagine — including a Glenn procedure and a Fontan procedure to treat his condition.

Throughout his early childhood, Landon's treatment included several heart catheterizations before being placed on the pediatric heart transplant list in June 2025. Despite the wait time for most patients on the transplant list being several months to a year, Landon found a match the very next day and successfully received a heart transplant before getting discharged the following month.

For Megan and Wes, Landon's parents, seeing their child cared for with such precision and compassion from his early days brought comfort during a time of uncertainty. "The team has cared for us from the very beginning, and we were put in the right place at the right time and couldn’t be more blessed," Megan shared.

Today, Landon is a thriving teenager, dreaming big and embracing life with a heart full of gratitude. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact exceptional care can have on patients and families alike.

Learn more about his incredible story: https://bit.ly/3OycsZT

02/25/2026

From patient to pediatrician 🩺

Dr. Charles Smoak truly grew up at Atrium Health Levine Children's Charlotte Pediatrics.

A Charlotte native, he was once a patient and has now spent the past 20 years caring for children at the practice. His patients absolutely adore him. ❤️

Learn more about Dr. Smoak and the care team by visiting: https://bit.ly/4tTI8sO

02/18/2026

Some people discover who they want to be early in life. For 17‑year‑old Emily, that purpose began taking shape long before her senior year.

At 6 years old, Emily learned that her heart needed extra care. A diagnosis of Long QT syndrome set her on a path filled with doctor visits, careful monitoring and eventually, the need for an implanted pacemaker and defibrillator to keep her safe from life-threatening arrhythmias.

Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital became a familiar place for Emily — one where she spent years navigating procedures and recovery, supported by a team who knew her not just as a patient, but as a person.

Growing up, Emily had to learn how to manage her condition while balancing school, friendships and swim meets in the midst of appointments and procedures. This meant learning how to listen to her body, adjusting along the way and finding strength in small wins.

Now 17, Emily is looking ahead at the future she wants to build — one that hopefully brings her back to Levine Children’s, this time in scrubs. Inspired by the compassion and encouragement she’s received throughout her care, Emily hopes to pursue nursing and one day become a CRNA, with a simple goal in mind: to be the kind of caregiver patients remember.

But Emily isn’t waiting for the future to start giving back.

While continuing her own care at Levine Children’s Hospital, she’s thinking about the other children who walk those same halls, and how to make the hospital feel a little less overwhelming for them. That’s what inspired her to start Heart for Hearts, a donation drive rooted in the small comforts that once meant so much to her.

Emily recently organized an Amazon wish list, hosted a packing day at her school and delivered more than 50 thoughtfully assembled gift bags to our patients — each one filled with items chosen to bring comfort and a moment of joy during a hospital stay.

Emily, we’re so proud of you and the future you’re building. You are already changing lives ❤️

Learn more about Emily’s journey and how she’s making a difference for other heart patients: https://bit.ly/4c1YXvg

02/18/2026

Future Niners on the move! 💚

Atrium Health Levine Children’s is proud to celebrate some of the youngest Charlotte 49ers fans in the annual Diaper Derby.

We are proud to support young champions through every step of their health care journey❤️

02/16/2026

A lot of heart goes into caring for some of our toughest patients. Brandon, a staff nurse and preceptor in the pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU) at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, knows this from personal experience.

As an infant, Brandon faced significant health challenges of his own, including late-onset group B strep, which sent him into septic shock and required hospitalization. During one hospital stay, he was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a form of life support for patients with life-threatening illnesses.

Brandon spent 15 days on ECMO before being discharged and sent home on oxygen and other therapies. While he didn’t know it then, that experience would ultimately inspire him to pursue a career in health care.

“I made it a personal mission of mine to chase the dream of giving back to the world of health care, kindness and humanity that saved me when I was an infant,” Brandon recalls. That mission manifested into an eight-year nursing career treating pediatric patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and CICUs, serving in both staff and travel roles across several states.

Today, as a CICU nurse, Brandon is part of a team that cares for warriors just like him — bringing the same level of compassion that once saved his life to pediatric heart patients at Levine Children’s Hospital.

We celebrate teammates like Brandon whose stories inspire us and whose dedication helps our heart patients thrive. ❤️

02/16/2026

There’s more than enough love to go around ❤️

Some of our youngest Valentines at Atrium Health Pineville were ready to steal our hearts, showing off their adorable Valentine’s Day looks. These sweet babies from our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) make each day brighter for their amazing care teams.

We are so grateful to be trusted by our brave young patients and their families ❤️

Please note: All babies photographed are in our neonatal intensive care unit, under constant monitoring to ensure their health and safety. These images are artistic and do not reflect AAP Safe Sleep recommendations. Please follow all safe sleep recommendations with your baby at home.

02/14/2026

Our pediatric cardiology teammates at Atrium Health Levine Children's are sending you lots of❤️.

Happy Valentine's Day from our hearts to yours!

02/12/2026

Puppy love is in the air!❤️

Therapy and facility dogs at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital strutted their stuff in full Valentine’s spirit, showing off costumes, tricks and dishing out plenty of cuddles to our patients. Our friends at Dunkin' even added to the fun with a sweet surprise — bringing donuts, gift cards and a fun photo-op for our patients and teammates.

For many of our patients, hospital stays can feel anything but ordinary, but moments like these help restore a bit of normalcy and show them the healing power of love. Seeing them smile while petting their furry friends was the sweetest treat, no candy required! 🍬

A huge thank‑you to our amazing friends at Seacrest Studios, Happy2Heal and of course, the pups and volunteers who made the day unforgettable. We’re so grateful for the love they shared with our patients!💖

02/11/2026

Evie is a 6-year-old Atrium Health Levine Children’s congenital heart defect patient whose strength throughout every step of her health journey inspires everyone around her.❤️

Since the day she was born, Evie's mom, Rhiannon, knew her daughter would be a fighter. Diagnosed with double inlet left ventricle with transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary atresia and severe pulmonary stenosis — all congenital heart defects affecting her heart and lung function — Evie experienced significant health challenges in the earliest days of her life.

“From the very beginning, she has faced more than most adults ever will, and she has done so with bravery and a fierce will to live fully and joyfully,” Rhiannon shared.

Evie’s care journey began at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital and later expanded to Levine Children’s Hospital where she underwent three open‑heart surgeries before the age of 4 — including lifesaving operations at just 11 days old, at 4 months and shortly before her fourth birthday.

For Evie’s family, the care she received was far more than medical. Her care team became an extension of their own family, offering compassion and encouragement during their most overwhelming moments. Support systems like Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation brought hope and light into some of their toughest seasons.

Today, Evie continues to live each day with the same determination that has defined her journey from the start. She receives lifelong cardiac care and ongoing monitoring with her care teams at Brenner Children’s Hospital and Levine Children’s Hospital guiding and supporting her every step of the way.

Evie’s story is a reminder to other heart warriors that they are not alone—and that they are more than their diagnoses.

We are grateful to care for and celebrate incredible heart patients like Evie.❤️

Learn more about Levine Children's pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program: https://bit.ly/4q7ajBm

02/08/2026

❤️💙💛

02/08/2026