Blog
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The VAD Life – One ACHDer Shares Her Experience with a Ventricular Assist Device
After an extended hospital stay, Carol was still waiting for a heart. Her care team had a plan to get her home while she waited with the help of a ventricular assist device. Learn more about the device and Carol’s journey on the bridge to transplant. A Ventricular Assist Device, more commonly known as a…
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The Only Woman in the Room
Representation, like medicine, has come a long way. However, there is much work to be done. In honor of Women’s History Month, Dr. Tara Karamlou, congenital heart surgeon, discusses the way in which women delicately navigate the medical climate and the important role they play, despite being in the minority. During the second year of…
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Women in Medicine – A Personal Profile: Britney Gibson
After losing her son, Colton, to CHD, Britney Gibson realized what she had gone through as a mom was guiding her next great calling – becoming a nurse. Below, Britney shares how her experience helps her relate to the parents of her new patients and how her love for her son inspires her work. If…
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How Music Heals – The Work of a Music Therapist
Music can be celebratory, soothing, or uplifting. It helps us access and express emotion we may not be able to otherwise, and its impact is specific to each of us. Music Therapists, like Kati DePetrillo, are capable of using the power of music to help patients and families ease, even if just a little bit,…
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National Maternal and Child Health Group Welcomes New Connection to Conquering CHD
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP), a new Conquering CHD partner, is a national resource, partner, and advocate for public health leaders and others who work to advance the health of women, children, youth, families, and communities. Since its founding in 1944, AMCHP has implemented targeted programs, advocated for national legislation and funding, and…
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In the Spirit of Sankofa
Dr. Josephine Isabel-Jones and Dr. Brenda Armstrong paved the way for generations to continue the legacy these women began in an era that tried to hold them back. As Black History Month comes to a close, Dr. Annette Ansong introduces us to these pioneers in the field of Pediatric Cardiology. In the Ghanaian language of…
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Turning Loss into Love And the Impact CHD has on the Mental Health of the Heart Warrior and Their Caregivers
When Jenn and Mark Hinkle lost their son Ollie to Congenital Heart Disease, they decided that the love and support they received from friends and family was exactly what they needed to share with others continuing on a similar journey. Read on to learn how their experience is helping to increase access to Mental Health…
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What I Wish People Knew…
Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect in the United States and worldwide. Oftentimes, children and adults with CHD wish those around them knew more… CHD is the most common birth defect worldwide, however, most of the general public has never heard of congenital heart disease. We recently asked some of our community…
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Dear Bereaved Family, From Your Bedside Nurse…
Bereaved families can often feel alone in their grief – feeling like the world keeps turning while their world has stopped. It may feel like the care team for your loved one goes right back to business as usual after a loss, but as this open letter to bereaved families from a bedside nurse illustrates,…
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Making CHD Week Official
Each year we celebrate CHD Week in hopes that we as a community can move the needle forward on understanding, support, and resources for all those impacted by Congenital Heart Disease. Conquering CHD volunteers from across the country work to make sure CHD is publicly recognized in February (and year round!), one way is through state…
