Heart Month
Heart Month is an international effort to raise awareness for conditions that affect every heart, from neonatal patients to adults who have been battling congenital heart disease for decades. The physicians and staff of Nationwide Children’s are dedicated to putting our whole heart into caring for those of our patients.
Visit this page throughout the month of February to see our collective efforts to educate, advocate, and innovate for better treatment and cardiovascular care.
Meet Rylee: After more than five months of waiting for a new heart at Nationwide Children's Hospital, the call came for seven-year-old Rylee Cornell. She was getting a new heart. Rylee had spent more than 150 days in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Five months of waiting. Five months of being away from home. Five months of not knowing if she would get the heart she so desperately needed. Read Rylee's Story.
More Patient Stories
Meet Kyle
When Kyle’s mom took him to his pediatrician, they were referred to Nationwide Children's for a repeat EKG. That’s when they learned that Kyle had Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome. Read Kyle's story on Flutter.
Meet Gracie
When Gracie was 2 years old, her family was told there was nothing that could be done for her and that they should take her home, love her and just keep her comfortable. Her family refused to take that as an answer. Read Gracie's story on Flutter.
Meet Samantha
At my 2-year check up my doctor noticed a murmur and sent me to Nationwide Children's for testing. I was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, which affects all the connective tissue in my body. Read Samantha's story on Flutter.
Stay Connected and Participate
- Take a look at our Infographic and see just how serious heart disease and defects are for so many children and adults!
- Follow us on Facebook for tons of great Heart Month posts
- Keep an eye on our Instagram account (@nationwidekids) for behind the scenes photos and videos.
- Stay connected with heart-related education, myths and common questions on Twitter.
- Interact with our Adult Congenital Team on facebook
- Be sure to keep an eye on our YouTube channel for new videos in honor of Heart Month!
- Check out our Pinterest board for information, videos, and stories about heart defects and living healthy.
Our Staff on Tumblr
Dr. Joy Lincoln, Center for Cardiovascular Research
“My lab looks at the sending mechanisms that underlie congenital heart valve malformations. That means we look in the embryo to see why heart valves don’t form properly ..."
Dr. Aimee Armstrong, Director of Cardiac Catheterization & Interventional Therapies
“I knew I wanted to be a doctor since I was in sixth grade. I was just interested in anything medical. My mom actually found a book that I bought I think when I was in fourth grade about a girl who was getting heart surgery."
“I have been here over 12 years. I previously thought I was going to be a lab scientist but I spent a summer in a lab and that was fine for a summer, but realized I didn’t want to do that for my whole life."
“Many times families think I’m a doctor when I walk in and I tell them, “I’m a soul doctor. I remember a little baby that received a heart transplant. She had the brightest blue eyes. I remember waiting every day whether the heart would come for her or not and it was looking very grim for this little girl. But I remember getting the phone call from the family ..."
