Inspiring Patient Stories

Emma's Hidden Scar and Remarkable Heart: One of Florida's First Right Vertical Mini-Axillary Open-Heart Surgeries

July 30, 2026 – After being diagnosed at birth with an atrial septal defect, Emma was expertly cared for by the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Heart Institute. At just 8 years old, Emma underwent one of Florida’s first right vertical mini-axillary open-heart surgeries performed by Dr. David Kalfa, allowing her to recover quickly and return to enjoying life with her family.

Two sisters, two journeys: one marked by challenges, the other by an unexpected diagnosis

July 27, 2026 – Adriana grew up watching her older sister, Ariadna, navigate the challenges of hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions. From special braces and custom-fitted boots to various corrective treatments, Ariadna's medical journey was a familiar part of family life. What Adriana didn't know was that her own health journey was about to take an unexpected turn.

At Just Two Years Old, Fernando Receives a Life-Changing Partial Heart Transplant

July 22, 2026 – Pregnant with her second child, Maria Isabel anticipated a smooth transition into becoming a mom of two. When she discovered baby boy Fernando would be born with a congenital heart defect, her family began plans to deliver Fernando in South Florida hospital in order for Fernando to be transferred quickly to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and receive surgery for his complex cardiac defects.

A cleft lip: a beautiful mark of his childhood

June 30, 2026 – During a prenatal visit, Samuel's mom, noticed the tech was taking a bit longer than usual and wouldn't answer her questions directly. Instantly, she knew something was wrong with her baby. The doctor came in said the baby may be born with a cleft lip. Baby Samuel and his family found the care they needed at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Patient of the Month: Emma

June 25, 2026 – When Emma began to experience persistent knee pain, she knew she needed to seek medical attention to stay in the game. Determined to find a way forward, Emma and her family sought answers at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Orthopedic, Sports Medicine & Spine Institute.

Ka'lee is Running, Walking and Thriving After Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy

June 19, 2026 – Ka'lee was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at just two years old. One of four siblings, he is the only one in his family with this condition. His mother, Carmen, did not expect the diagnosis, and at first, didn't fully understand what it would mean for her son's future. Since his first treatment in 2024 he has achieved milestones that once felt out of reach.

Born to Beat the Odds: Caitlin's Historic Staged Cardiac Septation Procedure

June 18, 2026 – When Catalina attended her 14-week pregnancy ultrasound, she expected to see her growing baby but was met with the news that her daughter, Caitlin, would be born with Single Ventricle Heart Defect. Fearful of what would come next, Ashley's obstetrician referred her to Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Heart Institute to develop a treatment plan for Caitlin's arrival.

She Just Had a Cold. The X-Ray Revealed So Much More.

June 10, 2026 – Jayla was like most kids. Some days she'd mention her back hurt, and other days she'd run around without a single complaint. Jayla’s father had always noticed that one of Jayla's shoulders sat slightly higher than the other, but it never raised any red flags, especially since Jayla didn’t complain or notice the difference herself. It took an unlikely turn of events, a simple cold and a chest X-ray, for the truth to finally surface. At 13 years old Jayla was diagnosed with scoliosis and needed corrective surgery for her spine.

Innovative ‘REV’ Procedure Sets Baby John in Motion

May 22, 2026 – Baby John is the first patient at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and one of a few in the nation to receive the 'REV' procedure for a congenital heart defect.

Robotic Surgery Fixes Rare, ‘Hidden’ Congenital Heart Defect in 73-Year-Old

April 23, 2026 –

First-of-its-kind collaboration between Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Heart Institute treats a lifelong congenital condition

The First Pulmonary Ozaki in Florida and Among the First in the Nation, done at Nicklaus Children's Heart Institute: Meet Victoria

March 19, 2026 – Eleven-year-old Victoria, an energetic swimmer and big sister, underwent open-heart surgery to repair her pulmonary insufficiency. Dr. David Kalfa and the cardiovascular surgery team reconstructed her valve using her own pericardial tissue through the Ozaki Procedure.

Ignacio is Breathing and Living Stronger

March 13, 2026 – Ignacio was born with a rare congenital anomaly on his tracheal rings. He remained undiagnosed of his condition until he was evaluated for sleep apnea at 8 years old. The ENT specialists at Nicklaus Children's Hospital were able to diagnose the source of his breathing obstruction, snoring, and nasal congestion and performed a surgery to open his airways and widen his trachea.

Tiny but Mighty: 1.2LB Baby Girl Leaves NICU After Three Months

March 04, 2026 –

Just a few days after baby girl Pierson was born, when she still weighed only 1.2 lb, a small catheter was placed through her vein to deliver a tiny device to treat her congenital heart defect all while she remained in her incubator.

Patient of the Month: Gabriel

February 27, 2026 – Shortly after birth, Gabriel underwent life-saving open-heart surgery to give him a healthy start to life despite his severe congenital heart defect.

Patient of the Month: Megan

January 26, 2026 – At only seven years old, Megan underwent aggressive cancer treatment that included infusions and chemotherapy and lasted about two years.

Patient of the Month: Tristan

December 19, 2025 – What began as persistent pain in his knee led to a cancer diagnosis that altered Tristan’s life forever.

Patient of the Month: Madison

November 23, 2025 –

Madison’s fight for life began just days after being born with a heart defect that required lifesaving surgery.

Patient of the Month: Katy

October 22, 2025 – While enjoying a day on the water, Katy was involved in a devastating boating accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Within moments, her family’s world was turned upside down.

Liv and Eva are Living Life to the Fullest

September 26, 2025 – Sisters Liv and Eva suffered from debilitating abdominal pain and inflammation.  After frequent trips to the emergency room became a part of their routine and countless doctor visits, they found hope at Nicklaus Children's with the groundbreaking IB-STIM treatment.

How Nicklaus Children’s and Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care Came Together to Save Elizabeth

September 10, 2025 – After a bike fall, Elizabeth experienced an abdominal pain so intense her family called 911. Upon arrival by ambulance doctors soon discovered the accident had ruptured her liver, causing significant blood loss but this was just the beginning.