Cardiac Center at CHOP

09/02/2025

We wish all of our patients a happy and healthy start to this next school year! Help us celebrate them by sharing a photo in the comments or to your page with . ❤️

08/26/2025

In honor of today being , we want to thank all of our therapy dog volunteers and facility dog teams (👋 Nettle!) who bring so much joy to our heart warrior patients. ❤️

08/26/2025

It's National Dog Day! 🐾 Today we celebrate our paw-some pet therapy and facility dogs who bring joy and support to our patients and their families. Find out more about our programs below. ⬇️

Learn more about the Gerald B. Shreiber Pet Therapy Program: http://ms.spr.ly/6189skQ23.

Learn more about our facility dog program: http://ms.spr.ly/6180skQ2O.

08/22/2025

Back-to-school means earlier mornings- and getting kids back on a healthy sleep schedule can be tough! Dr. Christopher Cielo, Director of our Sleep Center, shares why sleep impacts nearly every part of a child's day and offers simple tips like creating a consistent bedtime routine and turning off electronics before bed. Check out his advice in this CBS Philadelphia report.

Back-to-school means getting back on a regular sleep schedule, which isn't so easy after a summer of fun.

08/22/2025

Learn about our and ambassador, Molly, and her incredible journey. ⬇️

Find out how you can support the Cancer Center at CHOP and our patients like Molly at the & Walk, presented by Citadel Credit Union, on Sunday, September 28: http://ms.spr.ly/6180snniw.

08/21/2025

Today is Amari and Javar's second separation day anniversary AND International Conjoined Twins Day! Watch their story!

08/20/2025

Starting August 24, SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) is reducing bus, train and trolley services that may affect travel to CHOP locations.

We know many families rely on public transit for appointments, and your child's care is our top priority. If you’re concerned about getting to CHOP, reach out to your care team — we’ll work with you to find the best solution.

For SEPTA service updates, click here: http://ms.spr.ly/6185sVOvN.

08/18/2025

It's that time again: back to school! 🎒 📚

While this moment can mean new schools, new friends and new routines, it can sometimes stir up anxiety and nervousness in children and teens. Dr. Yesenia Marroquin, clinical psychologist in our Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, provides advice to caregivers and parents on how they support the mental health of kids during this exciting, but often stressful, time.

Learn more by watching the NBC10 Philadelphia segment linked below.

Back-to-school season is just about here and a brand new year of learning can be exciting for some students but stressful for others. NBC10’s Erin Coleman spoke with Dr. Yesenia Marroquin, a clinical psychologist from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, about what could potentially cause stress...

08/17/2025

Our Center for Health Equity, in partnership with the The Church of Christian Compassion, recently hosted its Annual Back to School Community Health Partnership Clinic to ensure families in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood are prepared to go back-to-school.

At the event, attendees received backpacks filled with school supplies and were able to get sports physicals, haircuts, dental screenings and select new/gently used shoes and sports equipment.

Thanks to our community partners for their participation:
Independence Big Brothers Big Sisters
Sharing Excess
Philadelphia Fire Department
Reach Out and Read Greater Philadelphia
Uplift Center for Grieving Children
Free Library of Philadelphia
Acclaim Autism
Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Leveling The Playing Field
TaffyFun
Haircutz4 Homeless
Penn’s Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy
Laced4Success

08/13/2025

Introducing our 2025 Champions! 👏

The Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day supports individualized care, education and research that make it possible for those with Down syndrome to experience the joys of childhood and flourish in adulthood. Stay tuned as we'll be sharing champion stories as we gear up for this year's event on Sunday, October 19 at Lincoln Financial Field. 💚

Find out more ➡️ and learn about how you can participate: http://ms.spr.ly/6183sRezD.

08/13/2025

Culinary medicine, part of our Integrative Health program, blends the art and science of cooking to help families create meals that support symptom management and overall well-being.

See more of this team's impact: http://ms.spr.ly/6180s3ISA.

08/12/2025

Diagnosed before birth with a heart defect and later with biliary atresia and a rare genetic lung disease called primary ciliary dyskinesia, Liam has faced more than most people do in a lifetime.

Thanks to the specialized care he received at our hospital, Liam is back to his favorite sports and looking forward to starting kindergarten in the fall. Read his incredible story below.

Two rare diseases lead to an unexpected genetic diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia for a little boy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

08/12/2025

We’re proud to launch the I ❤ CHOP Run, Walk & Virtual Challenge, presented by Philadelphia Insurance Companies with Philadelphia Eagles running back, Saquon Barkley, as our Official Champion! This 5k run/3k walk is for everyone who hearts CHOP and together we'll raise vital funds for CHOP's greatest needs. The event will take place on April 26, 2026 at FDR Park – or you can participate virtually all May long.

Watch how we chose our #1 pick ⬇️ and learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6184suene.

08/11/2025

The shift from the carefree days of summer to the organized environment of school can be challenging, but there are many ways parents and caregivers can help make this transition smoother.

Find back-to-school resources from our experts below.

Expert resources from pediatricians to help your family get a smart and healthy start to the school year.

08/11/2025

Our Cardiac Center is leading groundbreaking research to transform care for children with the most complex heart conditions — from before birth through adulthood.

With newly awarded grants from Additional Ventures' Single Ventricle Research Fund, CHOP teams are advancing science in key areas like prenatal therapies and AI-powered diagnostics.

Read more, below.

The Cardiac Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is leading pioneering research with grants aimed at improving outcomes for children with severe cardiac conditions. These efforts represent a comprehensive approach to advancing cardiac care from prenatal stages through childhood...

08/08/2025

Our Cardiac Center recently added Reading, PA to its growing list of satellite locations providing care for pediatric patients with CHD!

Located at 5101 Allentown Pike, Temple, PA, 19560, our Cardiac Center in Reading will be led by Louis Hansrote, MD, pediatric cardiologist, and the team from our Cardiac Center in Allentown. They will see patients at the Reading location on the second Thursday of each month, providing cardiology clinic visits for new and existing patients, along with non-invasive testing such as electrocardiography (ECG), Holter tests and echocardiography.

Read more, below.

The Cardiac Center at CHOP has added Reading, PA to its growing list of satellite locations providing care for pediatric patients with congenital and acquired heart diseases.

08/07/2025

Our Breastfeeding and Lactation team aims to help every new parent achieve their goals when it comes to providing milk for their child. From our Mothers’ Milk Bank to lactation consultants and rental supplies, our team provides support to assist caregivers on their breastfeeding and lactation journey.

For parents like Nakia, our team has provided continued resources and support while her daughter, Noelle, is in our CICU. Nakia shared: “My CHOP lactation consultant provided me encouraging words and guidance which helped me on my journey of exclusive pumping. Now I’m making enough milk for my baby girl.”

During World Breastfeeding Week, learn more about our Breastfeeding and Lactation program: http://ms.spr.ly/6180s3O90.

08/01/2025

Brave hearts, big beats. 🎶 ❤️

Over the last few years, a collaboration of our child life specialists, music therapists, nursing and other medical staff brought the idea of the “Heart Warrior Baby Band” to life. While not your traditional rock and roll band, our patients and their caregivers participate in interactive music therapy sessions designed to support opportunities for bonding, socialization and assistance with reaching developmental milestones.

07/30/2025

Another brave - thanks for sharing ❤️

06/27/2025

Meet Brice — a true . ❤️

Diagnosed before birth with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Brice faced a journey filled with challenges. When his complex anatomy made traditional surgery impossible, his family turned to our Advanced Cardiac Therapies for Heart Failure Patients Program, which is dedicated to discovering new ways to use devices that help the heart function better.

At just 8 days old, Brice underwent an innovative hybrid VAD procedure to stabilize his heart while awaiting transplant. His path wasn’t easy: a major stroke almost ended his transplant hopes. But thanks to Brice’s resilience, the unwavering love of his family, and the dedication of our cardiac and rehab teams, he made a remarkable recovery.

After receiving a new heart, Brice went home to Virginia just in time for Thanksgiving. Today, he’s thriving — learning to stand, army crawl, and even speak — inspiring everyone who meets him!

Read Brice's inspiring story below!

A baby is given a second chance at life with an innovative bridge to transplant performed only at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and few other institutions.

06/27/2025

We recently celebrated , and want to thank our current Cardiac Center Family Advisory Council (FAC) and Family Partners for their ongoing support in helping us provide the best experience for all of our heart warrior patients and families. From Heart Month to our Innovation Awards, the input and feedback shared by this group has allowed us to make process enhancements and helped to guide us as we take on new projects and initiatives.

We thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm and look forward to our continued collaborations!

If you are interested in learning more about our Cardiac Center Family Advisory Council and how to become a Family Partner, fill out this form: http://ms.spr.ly/6181SInFh

06/25/2025

📢 New research: In the largest single-center cohort of newborns who underwent complex reconstructive surgery for HLHS, more than 30% survived without transplant into adulthood with many reporting good to excellent clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Published in JACC Journals, these findings underscore the importance of maintaining cardiac care for adults with congenital heart disease and offer hope for a future where high-functioning adult patients with CHD are the norm.

Thank you to Big Hearts to Little Hearts for funding this important research.

Read more below.

CHOP researchers reported long-term clinical outcomes for the largest single center cohort of individuals who underwent complex reconstructive surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome as newborns. In this cohort, more than 30% survived without a transplant to at least 35 years of age.

06/24/2025

Congratulations to , Justin, on his recent medical school graduation! ❤️

Justin was born with pulmonary atresia, and was followed by Dr. Paul Stephens in our Center.

Justin shared, "Dr. Stephens was a huge source of inspiration for me and a big reason why I wanted to go down this career path. I had all of my surgeries done at CHOP, including a pulmonary valve replacement about 5 months before I started medical school - CHOP is very near and dear to my heart, and it's a dream of mine to return one day in the physician capacity!"

Way to go, Justin - we wish you the best of luck!