kids playing sports

Sports Physicals: Q&A with a Pediatric Cardiologist

Understanding Sports Physicals What is a sports physical, and why is it important for children and teens? A sports physical is a targeted history and medical exam designed to find children and teens more at risk for injury and medical…

cardiac patient in hat

Emmanuel Brings a Fighting Spirit to a Tough Battle

Fierce persistence and a nagging mother’s intuition that something wasn’t right led newborn Emmanuel to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center on Christmas morning two years ago. His mom, Brielle—a veterinarian—noticed that he looked and sounded different from her…

Mom at check out desk

Preparing for the Financial Aspects of CHD

When a family learns that their child has a congenital heart defect, the financial considerations of that serious diagnosis is often the last thing on their minds. However, along with providing your child with the best heart care and treatment…

cardiac patient and sibling

Every Little Milestone Counts … Big!

Ollie spent his first Halloween at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center in the CICU, just 7 days post-op from his second open heart surgery. Mom Stephanie remembers that they had to get special permission to allow Ollie’s big brother,…

cardiac patient and mother

Heart Warrior Mom Turns Fear into Connection and Advocacy

Although she had a few months and the support of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology to prepare, Karlee said handing her newborn over to strangers with the hope that they could save his life presented a whole new level of…

cardiac patient fishing

The Heart of a Fisherman Never Gives Up

When Children’s Cardiology said that 10-year-old Grayson would need a pacemaker, one of his parents’ most pressing concerns was whether he’d still be able to go fishing. Grayson loves playing baseball and football, showing livestock, camping and playing with his…

congenital heart week proclamation at Georgia state capitol

Kids at Heart Connects Families Who “Get It”

In the mid-1990s, a small group of heart parents seeking community with one another started a potluck dinner in the Egleston Hospital conference room. What began as a simple desire to get to know other families traveling on the same…