Inspiring Patient Stories

Have your own inspiring patient story to share? If you’d like to share your Nicklaus Children's story to inspire hope, and help other families find answers to questions they’re seeking for their child, please contact us at: info@nicklaushealth.org.

Parker's Success Story

December 14, 2006 – Parker is not yet 2 years old, but he's already living up to his name. Within a month of his birth, doctors discovered the infant had multiple heart valve defects. The complications were so severe that at one point doctors considered him a candidate for a heart transplant. But thanks to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital's internationally recognized Cardiovascular Surgery team - and a life-saving procedure never before performed on so young a child - Parker's heart is going strong.

Myranda's Success Story

December 14, 2006 – The Parents of Myranda (8 months old) Open Heart Surgery Patient October 2, 1995 at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital Dr. Redmond Burke, Chief, Cardiovascular Surgery.

Jordan's Success Story

December 14, 2006 – Jordan was born with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which means he had a hole his heart that caused more blood to pump to his left lung than to his right. During the first three months of his life, his breathing was very labored, he barely ate and was taking several medications. When he was three months old and only 10 pounds he underwent open-heart surgery to repair his heart. The result was unbelievable. After surgery, he no longer needed breathing support. His surgeon, Dr. Robert Hannan, sent him home four days later.

Elana's Story (Churg Strauss Syndrome)

December 14, 2006 – On Christmas Day 1998, Elana woke up with a fever and a rash. She couldn't move her joints. Her mother, Laura, brought her to the Nicklaus Children's Hospital where she was diagnosed with a rare and fatal disease: Churg Strauss Syndrome (CSS).

David's Miracle Story

December 14, 2006 – David had a hole in his heart and that the artery that feeds blood to the lungs was partially blocked. The medical term for this is Tetralogy of Fallot. David started this adventure at 15 pounds. David was discharged on Monday, April 22nd, 1996, six days after his operation.

Ashley's Thank you Letter

December 14, 2006 – A letter from Ashley, a patient of Dr. Burke and Dr. Zoen.

Analiah's Success Story

December 14, 2006 – Baby Analiah Duarte Escorcia was born in February, Heart Month. Thanks to groundbreaking cardiovascular surgery performed at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, soon after her birth in 2012, she is now the poster child for a novel new procedure that seems poised to become the “holy grail” for children with heart valve defects. Little Analiah came into the world with one of the most devastating of heart defects, called Ebstein's Anomaly.