In 2022, I presented at CHOP Cardiac Grand Rounds. I bared my soul to my 900+ cardiac colleagues, sharing my experiences as a child undergoing multiple open-heart surgeries, hospitalizations, painful procedures, etc., and how all that trauma led me down a dark path and an eventual diagnosis of complex PTSD.
Why did I share my secrets of some of the worst times throughout my life? Simply because I want better for all pediatric cardiac patients that come after me. I wanted clinicians to *truly* understand what we go through; how it affects our relationship with our own bodies, the lack of bodily autonomy, and the mental health implications that haunt so many of us throughout our lives. That often times, the gift of being “saved,” is also a curse.
My own transition to adult congenital cardiac care was my peds cardiologist telling me at age 25 (26? I’m old now, I can’t remember), “next year you’re going to see the ACHD team at Penn.” That was it. And the following year, I entered “The Dark Side” and left to navigate on my own. There had to be a better way.
It took a bit longer than I hoped (that’s healthcare for you), but I am officially the CHOP Transition Readiness and Awareness for Cardiac Kids (TRACK) Nurse Coordinator. This is my professional nursing dream come true- I’ve been talking about it for close to two decades. I’m honored to be trusted to take on this role, to build this program, and create something that will support our cardiac kids as they prepare to transition to adult cardiac care.
#CHD #ACHD #TRACK #CHOP #transitiontoadulthood #zipperclub #cardiacnursing #mentalhealth #cardiackids #congenitalheartdisease
Executive Territory Sales Manager at iRhythm
2moCongrats! Intentional excellence!