Grateful Patient Spotlight: The Carter Family
February 16, 2021One in 100 children are born with a congenital heart defect in the United States every year.
One in four babies born with a heart defect has a critical congenital heart defect, which requires surgery and other procedures within the first year of life, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Weston Carter, now 3-years-old, was born with a critical congenital heart defect. He and his family have received care through the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital since he was born. Weston will have his third surgery this summer.
“We received such excellent care from the MercyOne Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiac Care Program,” said Megan Carter, Weston’s mother.
“They answered all the questions we had and they made sure we had everything we need.”
Megan expressed how grateful she and her family is for Weston’s entire care team – from the doctors and nurses to the child life specialists – who helped him feel comfortable while in the hospital. She could tell that Weston’s care was personalized to him and his needs.
“Whenever we didn’t know what was going on or if we felt like something wasn’t right, his care team would look into my instinct and figure out if there was an issue,” said Megan. “His care team was always there for him and us.”
February is National Heart Month, which raises awareness for heart disease and promotes heart health. Raising awareness about heart issues and heart superheroes, like her son, is something that is important to Megan.
“Congenital heart disease affects more than the patient, it affects the whole family,” said Megan. “This happens a lot more than people think.”
She hopes others consider supporting programs like the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital so they can continue providing excellent care to other children and families in need.
“The whole pediatric cardiac care team and those in the PICU unit at the Children’s Hospital are just excellent,” said Megan. “For anyone considering care at MercyOne Children’s Hospital, do not hesitate, go forward, they have a great team there.”
Support the Pediatric Cardiac Care Program
For more information on how you can support MercyOne Children’s Hospital Heart Heroes and the pediatric cardiac care program, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Senior Director of Development, Sophia S. Ahmad at SAhmad@mercydesmoines.org or 515-643-8035
