About The Heart Center
At The Heart Center, our mission is to focus on providing the highest quality, most cost-effective and comprehensive care to all patients with congenital heart disease, regardless of age. Our vision is to rise to recognized and sustained status as a national and international referral center for patients with congenital cardiac disease, serving patients and constituents with the most advanced, congenital-oriented care supported by research and academic teaching programs.
Pediatric and Adult Heart Care. When Everything Matters, you Seek World Class.
Expertise. Compassion. Advanced technologies. The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital provides pediatric and adult heart patients with outstanding diagnostic, treatment and research facilities. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, patients and families experience innovation and advancements unlike any other institution.
Under Co-Directors Mark Galantowicz, MD, FACS, and Catherine Krawczeski, MD, The Heart Center consolidates all cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery services into a comprehensive model for family-centered care and convenience. One, comprehensive location for care, education and research. We are prepared to treat patients from 0 to 100 years of age with experts in all areas of surgical and medical subspecialties.
See how we Helped Colby
Lifespan of Care
Extended Heart Center Services
- Adolescent Transition Program
- Inpatient & Outpatient EMR
- Family Support Groups
- Support for Community Physicians
- Continuing Medical Education for Community Physicians
Invasive Heart Services
Noninvasive Services
- Electrophysiology
- Specialized Cardiac Inpatient Units
Resources
- MyChart
- Coordination of care through nurse navigator
Research
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Multiple FDA-sponsored Device Trials & Outcomes Research
What to Expect While You're Here
Welcome to The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's! To help you feel more comfortable, we want you to have all the information you need about what to expect during your or your child's stay with us.
About Your Room
We understand that there's no place like home. Our goal is to make you and your family as comfortable as possible during your stay with us. Let us help you get familiar with the room you'll be staying in, make you aware of the amenities available to you, and give you information about the food options you'll have while you're here. We want you to be able to focus on the most important thing, your child.
About the Unit
Let us help you get familiar with The Heart Center's two inpatient units: H4A and H4B. In this section, you'll learn how to enter and exit the unit and when visitors are permitted. We also offer a number of amenities such as a family lounge, phone charging station, playroom and lactation room. Your unit coordinator can also help you with parking.
About Your Care Team
There are lots of people you'll meet during your stay. From physicians to fellows to social workers, and everything in between, we know that keeping it all straight can be confusing/ We have created a quick guide to explain who makes up your care team, what your title is, and what role they play in your care.
Your Visit
We know coming to a hospital can be stressful. When your child needs care, choosing a qualified, compassionate team is just the beginning. From parking to dining to follow-up care, everything matters. We understand. At Nationwide Children's Hospital, we're committed to providing a coordinated, convenient experience with services and resources to support your child's healing and your family's well-being. We're here to help. Access information and resources to support your family.
The Heart Center Case Review Process
Because so much expertise is housed in The Heart Center, our case review process ensures the right treatment for the patient’s long-term outlook is pursued — whether it is a noninvasive, surgical, interventional or hybrid procedure. Each case requiring an invasive procedure is reviewed by the entire team. And it doesn’t end with a procedure. Case review is involved at every stage along the continuum of care.
- Patient history, review and diagnostic evaluation
- Interdisciplinary team review
- Individualized treatment plan and options
- Discharge planning and home care
- Extended follow-up care plan as needed
Our Patients: The Heart of What We Do
The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's realizes that emotional support is every bit as important as medical treatment. That’s why we want you to meet some of our patients and their families. Like you, they are dealing with the daily challenges of living with a heart condition.
Meet Rylee
Meet Walker
During his mother’s 20-week ultrasound Walker's mother learned her baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Within a few days of his birth, Walker would need the first of three open-heart surgeries and eventually, a heart transplant.
Meet Samantha
When I was born, I was born with COA, VSD, TGV, and Pulmonary Stenosis. With CHD, you are never 100% cured. I heard it explained to me one, you are like a car that needs service and repair every so often. I will forever be grateful for my angel baby for saving my life.
Meet Greyson
At our 20 week ultrasound with Greyson, we were told he would be born with Coarctation of the Aorta, a Congenital Heart Defect. We were sent to a pediatric cardiologist for more detailed ultrasounds during the remainder of my pregnancy. I can remember being so scared, confused, and worried during these ultrasounds.
Meet Michael
We came to Nationwide Children's in September, 2004, after 2 previous open heart surgeries at WVU Children's Hospital in Morgantown, WV. Michael had been feeling sick for a few days and it was discovered he had MRSA, which was attacking his weak parts... his joints and his heart.