Against the Odds: Jack's Fight for Life


Jack smiling in overalls

Published on: 02/04/2025

During a 20-week anatomy scan, Kimberly learned the baby boy she was expecting, named Jack, would be born with a congenital heart defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries, also known as TGA. Devastating news for her and her husband, who live in Jupiter.  

They were referred to a Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Heart Institute physician, who offers prenatal cardiology services in Palm Beach County for expectant parents, where they learned the complete diagnosis and prognosis for their unborn baby. 

Jack would have to undergo open heart surgery within his first week of life in order for his heart to function and pump blood correctly.  

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is home to one of the largest and most experienced pediatric cardiac team in South Florida and the highest outcomes for pediatric cardiac surgery. Jack’s family felt confident their baby boy would be in good hands with Dr. Redmond Burke who performed Jack’s open-heart surgery. “While it was a very difficult moment for our family, we entrusted in the expert team and held onto our mustard seed of faith and it is a miracle our Jack has not only survived but is now thriving,” said Kimberly. Dr. Garmany and the Heart Institute team formed a plan for Jack’s care in coordination with the obstetrician, to ensure a smooth transition after delivery and preparation for his heart surgery. 

Once Jack was born, he was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where a team of pediatric heart experts were waiting and ready to support the next steps in his care journey. During his 17-day stay, Jack was monitored by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists including cardiologists, neurologists, speech language pathologists and Dr. Juan Bolivar, the cardiac intensivist who reassured the family Jack would be ok after having to be intubated. The family even made arrangements with the hospital’s pastoral services to have Jack baptized on the hospital’s campus. 

Jack is now an active and happy two-year-old and who continues to receive care in his hometown.  

Learn more about The Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute by visiting nicklauschildrens.org/Heart

 

 

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