Area of Impact: Pediatric Cardiac Care
February 5, 2023
Congenital heart defects are one of the most common birth defects. In the United States, one in 100 children are born with a congenital heart defect every year.
One in four babies born with a heart defect has a critical congenital heart defect, which requires one or more lifesaving surgeries and other procedures within the first year of life, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Through the MercyOne Children’s Hospital pediatric cardiac care program, central Iowa children have the high-quality, innovative care they need.
“One thing I don’t think people quite understand is how prevalent congenital heart defects are for children,” said Jaime Davis, RN, cardiac care nurse at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and member of the pediatric cardiac surgical care team.
“Having a congenital heart defect is a lifelong disease,” said Jessica Zuzga-Reed, D.O., FAAP, Associate Chief Medical Officer for MercyOne Children’s Hospital. “We [MercyOne Children’s Hospital] have the only pediatric cardiac care center in central Iowa.”
Dr. Zuzga-Reed leads the pediatric critical care team and David Hockmuth, M.D., leads the pediatric cardiac surgery program. Dr. Hockmuth is Iowa’s only board-certified congenital heart surgeon (pediatric and adult) in central Iowa and the state’s longest-practicing pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, with more than 30 years of service at MercyOne Des Moines and Iowa Heart Center. On average, 100 surgical cases are conducted annually through this program. The program is also comprised of an expert team of pediatric cardiologists, perfusionists, anesthesiologists and nurses.
“We are a hidden gem of a cardiac care program taking care of children from fetal life to adulthood,” said Dr. Zuzga-Reed.
“Our team is small, we be are mighty,” said Jaime. “We are very experienced and have worked together for years.”
The collective work this program is very impressive. The pediatric cardiac care program consistently achieves low mortality rates, staying well below the national average. Throughout the whole process, this team focuses on providing innovative and personalized care to every patient.
Donations to the pediatric cardiac care program support the lifesaving work being done at MercyOne Children’s Hospital and ensures we are able to provide the best care to pediatric patients with a congenital heart defect.
“The pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital is a one-of-a-kind program in Iowa,” said Shannon Cofield, president of MercyOne Des Moines Foundation. “Donations to this program help this team stay equipped to deal with complex medical cases to better help children around not only Greater Des Moines but across the state.”
February is National Heart Month and February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. This month, consider making a gift to the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital. Your donation helps impacts our MercyOne Children’s Hospital Heart Superheroes who are living with a congenital heart defect.
For more information on how you can support the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital and our current funding needs, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation’s Director of Development and Events, Megan Mildenberger, at 515-643-8038 or MMildenberger@mercydesmoines.org.
