11-year-old volleyball player who was born with a congenital heart condition is fierce on the court
As a newborn, Harper Taylor was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition that affects how the blood flows to the lungs and through the heart and that required open heart surgery to repair. Today, you can find this determined athlete on the volleyball court, ready to assist her teammates and spike the…
Read Full StoryLouisville toddler goes home with new heart after spending first 492 days at Norton Children’s Hospital
It was a milestone day for a Louisville toddler and his family. After spending the first 492 days of his life at Norton Children’s Hospital, Tamarion Paul finally went home — with a new heart. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare and complex congenital heart defect in which the left side of…
Read Full StoryA new heart for Lorenzo: A story of hope and love
Complex diagnosis and delivery The diagnosis was hypoplastic left heart syndrome with mitral stenosis and aortic atresia, a severe congenital heart condition in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped. Lorenzo’s very small left ventricle could not function properly; the mitral valve was narrowed, and the aortic valve was completely blocked. With…
Read Full StoryNorton Children’s Heart Institute welcomes Felix W. Tsai, M.D., pediatric heart surgeon: ‘It’s about the families’:
Norton Children’s Heart Institute is proud to welcome Felix W. Tsai, M.D., as our newest pediatric heart surgeon. This milestone marks a meaningful step forward for families across Kentucky and the surrounding region. With Dr. Tsai’s arrival, our program now includes three dedicated pediatric heart surgeons, which is a significant expansion of our surgical team….
Read Full StoryLainey’s story of prenatal health issues discovered and her path to healing
When Madeline and Jonathan Brennan of Bowling Green, Kentucky, were expecting their third daughter, they had no idea how different this pregnancy would be from their first two. At 12 weeks, a routine blood test revealed an atypical finding on chromosome 21, an early indication that their baby, Lainey, might have Down syndrome. The results…
Read Full StoryA strong heart, a steady home
On a quiet farm in Marshall County, Kentucky, where the land slopes gently toward Kentucky Lake, 15-year-old Penn Edwards starts most days the same way — by caring for the animals he loves, including his 215-pound mastiff. It’s a simple routine, grounded in responsibility and love. Few would guess that Penn’s heart, quite literally, made…
Read Full StoryFather’s “American Idol” journey takes a turn as newborn son has heart surgery at Norton Children’s
When Christian Brown stepped onto the “American Idol” stage, he was standing in the spotlight he’d dreamed about since childhood. Music had carried Christian from small stages in Franklin, Kentucky, all the way to a golden ticket, yet it was becoming a father right before his audition that reshaped everything he knew about dreams, purpose…
Read Full StoryA nurse’s son needs a heart transplant: Their story is a reminder of why compassionate care matters
Dane was born fighting. At just 1 week old, he underwent complex open heart surgery. And now, at just 6 months old, he and his family are facing their greatest challenge: waiting for a heart transplant. On March 13, 2026, Dane officially was listed for a heart transplant at Status 1A, the highest priority level….
Read Full StoryNewborn survives undiagnosed transposition of the great arteries with care team that didn’t give up
Ashlie Paulin and her family were expecting a joyful Christmas in Louisville when her son Booker was born on Dec. 23, 2021. Instead, they had to hope for a Christmas miracle that their baby boy would survive. Doctors discovered baby Booker had a serious heart condition that went undetected during Ashlie’s pregnancy. Suddenly, it was…
Read Full StoryComplex congenital heart disease
Hattie Etling’s heart journey began before she was born, with a diagnosis so complex it required advanced planning, innovative imaging and a highly specialized heart team. Hattie was diagnosed before birth with heterotaxy syndrome and complex congenital heart disease. Her care team at Norton Children’s Heart Institute knew her untypical anatomy would present extraordinary challenges….
Read Full StoryFrankfort, Kentucky, boy’s high blood pressure reveals hidden heart condition
Reviewed by Mary T. Killian, M.D., and Bahaaldin Alsoufi, M.D. Written by Courtney Hirz, a Frankfort, Kentucky, resident and mom to Noah, a young boy with a heart condition It started like any other childhood illness. In November 2024, my 5-year-old son Noah came home from school feeling sick. We assumed it was just another…
Read Full StoryA petite fighter emerges during care for complex, life-threatening heart condition
As a newborn, Magnolia Lee Ford-Conway was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a complex heart condition that requires early surgery after birth for survival. Today, the energetic 3-year-old from Bowling Green, Kentucky, loves books, dolls and playing with her older sister. Magnolia’s mom, Mekinsey Ford-Conway, clearly remembers the difficult days after her…
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