Late last year, Kateryna complained of dizziness and she experienced numbness in her dominant hand. She was referred to a neurologist and cardiologist for further testing in her home country of Ukraine. In December 2021, she was diagnosed with a heart defect called atrial septal defect. A surgery would be necessary for treatment and full recovery. The procedure was planned for the spring in the city of Kiev, but everything changed when the war started. The family fled the country, but continued to seek medical care for their loved one, who continued to experience symptoms. Eventually, the family was referred to Dr. Daniel Duarte, a pediatric interventional cardiologist at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kateryna’s surgery at Nicklaus Children’s, under the care of a team led by Dr. Duarte, was successful and she went home the next day. The family says they are immensely grateful for the care that Nicklaus Children’s provided Kateryna in such a hectic and challenging time in their lives.

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