Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute

05/27/2026

"Baylor was born on Monday, February 2, 2026, via C-section at our local hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. When I first saw Baylor, the first thing I noticed was how blue he was. Baylor had an uneventful first night, but the next day, our world changed. Baylor had a prominent heart murmur, and an echocardiogram was ordered STAT.

From there, Baylor was admitted to the NICU, and we received a diagnosis: pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS). We had no idea what any of this meant, and we didn’t know what the future would hold. Baylor was immediately started on prostaglandins to keep his PDA open so his lungs could receive oxygenated blood. He was then transferred from our home hospital in Lafayette to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
At Peyton Manning, Baylor underwent a heart catheterization. They were able to perforate his pulmonary valve but were not able to dilate it with a balloon. We were worried this meant open-heart surgery, but Dr. Chan informed us that he was optimistic that, if we transferred to Cincinnati Children’s, they would be able to both perforate the valve and dilate it with a balloon via cardiac catheterization.
Baylor was then transferred from Indianapolis to Cincinnati on Sunday, February 8. On Monday, February 9, he underwent his second heart catheterization. He was in the best hands with Dr. Shahanavaz, Dr. Chan, Dr. Matoq, Dr. Boucek, Dr. Richardson, and Dr. Siow. The communication from the staff while Baylor was in the procedure was nothing short of amazing. Within an hour, we received a call that the procedure was successful, and no further interventions were needed at that time!
Baylor’s hospitalization was complicated and prolonged due to a right lung collapse and the time it took to wean him off oxygen. Through all of the complications, eating was never one of them for our heart warrior! I think he just really enjoyed being around all of those amazing nurses. After 30 days, we were able to go home with our sweet boy.
Cincinnati Children’s was an amazing place to be. We were 3.5 hours away from home, yet they made us feel as comfortable as we possibly could in a hospital setting. The Ronald McDonald House was incredible and a true blessing, being only steps away from the hospital. The nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, dietitians, social workers, and everyone in between were beyond outstanding."

05/21/2026

We had a wonderful Family Camp weekend at Camp Joy! A huge thank you to the Heart of Gold Memorial Fund for sponsoring a pot painting art project for families! We had bounce houses, zipline fun, rock climbing, archery, canoeing, and SO MUCH more! Did you come to Family Camp? Drop your photos below - we want to see them!

There are still openings for Camp Joyful Hearts (June 21-26), a residential summer camp for heart patients aged 8-18. Read more and sign up here: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/h/heart-institute/patient-resources/camp-joyful

05/20/2026

Join Cincinnati Children’s and Network for Hope as we honor and celebrate the incredible gift of life through pediatric donation. Hear powerful, personal stories from families whose lives have been forever changed!

05/13/2026

Run for Chief 2026 is dedicated to helping heart transplant families! If you'd like to get involved, please use the link below!

https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Cincinnati/RunforChief See less

05/08/2026

"Zahir, now 14 years old, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and has faced a lifelong journey with congenital heart disease. He underwent multiple open-heart surgeries in Puerto Rico, including the Norwood procedure as a newborn, followed by the Glenn and Fontan procedures. Over time, he began experiencing complications related to his Fontan circulation, including decreased heart function, valve issues, and exercise intolerance that made everyday activities more challenging.

In addition to his heart condition, Zahir has developed Fontan-associated liver disease and has faced other medical challenges along the way, including feeding difficulties and early airway complications that required a tracheostomy. Despite everything, he has shown incredible strength and resilience.

In January 2026, Zahir received a life-saving heart transplant. Since then, his journey has been focused on recovery, healing, and embracing a new chance at life. Today, at just 14, celebrating his 9th grade graduation represents so much more than school, it represents survival, strength, and hope for the future.

We are beyond grateful for the care and support that has helped him reach this moment. We especially want to thank Cincinnati Children’s and every single person involved in Zahir’s care, your compassion, dedication, and commitment have truly changed his life, and ours."

05/06/2026

Happy Nurses Week! We are so grateful for the amazing nurses in our Heart Institute who go above and beyond every day to care for our patients!

05/04/2026

MORE great news coming from the Heart Institute and the Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) team!

The American Heart Association has awarded $15 million to support scientific researchers studying heart valve disease through its new Strategically Focused Research Network on Earlier Detection and Delaying Progression of Valvular Heart Disease.

The Strategic Hub for Interventions to Promote Early Detection and Lifelong Protection from Advanced Rheumatic Heart Disease (SHIELD) Center, led by Dr. Andrea Beaton will build on long-standing global collaborations to advance research focused on RHD, the leading cause of heart valve disease in children and young adults worldwide.

You can read more about this story here: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/scientific-researchers-awarded-15-million-to-study-heart-valve-disease

05/01/2026

The Pure Heart Classic was created in honor of Anthony, a courageous young child whose rare heart condition required lifesaving care at Cincinnati Children’s. His strength continues to inspire this annual outing, with proceeds benefiting the Heart Institute!

Learn more or register here: https://the-pure-heart-classic.perfectgolfevent.com/

04/29/2026

Exciting news for the Heart Institute and the RHD team!

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children and young adults worldwide. That’s why we are leading a bold, globally co-created effort to transform how RHD is detected in low-resource settings. With support from a Coefficient Giving award, this initiative will refine and scale one of the first real-world models for RHD screening across Africa. Co-developed with the Uganda Ministry of Health, RRCU and the Uganda Heart Institute, and implemented by Ugandan clinicians and community health teams, ADUNU brings nurse-led, handheld ultrasound screening directly into schools, clinics, and communities, paired with stronger referral systems and local cardiac care capacity.

RHD remains the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children and young adults worldwide. Efforts like ADUNU are helping change that by closing the gap between evidence and implementation.

04/23/2026

Speed, expertise, and advanced technology combine to save an infant's heart!

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of watching 1-year-old Fletcher St. Jean toddling after his brothers and sisters is that he doesn’t realize or even care that there’s a page in the medical history books bearing his name.

04/21/2026

"My son Andrew was born on March 21, 2001, with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. We knew before his birth that he had a heart condition, and from that moment, we prayed and never lost faith. I delivered Andrew at Good Samaritan Hospital, and he was immediately taken to Cincinnati Children’s. Days after he was born, we were told he needed a heart transplant. On April 4, 2001, Andrew received a new heart and we were told he is the youngest patient at Cincinnati Children’s to receive a heart transplant. We were beyond thankful.

Four years later, Andrew was diagnosed with PTLD cancer in his stomach. The tumor grew quickly, and doctors told us he would not survive. When they said it was time to say goodbye, I felt a calm strength, walked into the waiting room, and asked everyone to hold hands and pray. After we prayed, the doctor returned and said Andrew was going to be fine. Dr. Tiao, MD, who performed the surgery, called Andrew a miracle.

Today, Andrew is 25 years old, active, joyful, and full of life. He loves swimming, music, movies, traveling, and roller coasters. His smile brings joy and he cares deeply for others. I thank Jesus every day for his healing touch. I never gave up hope, and I thank God for placing so many wonderful people in our lives. Andrew is truly our miracle from God."