Dr. Ronald Woods with patient BrentLee
At Every Turn > Research and Innovation > Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Groundbreaking surgery saves young boy's life at Herma Heart Institute
News Apr 18, 2019

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Groundbreaking surgery saves young boy's life at Herma Heart Institute

“On April 20, 2017, BrentLee’s father rushed him to Oconto Falls Memorial Hospital. A flight-for-life helicopter then airlifted him to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. He was suffering from congestive heart failure, an emergency that would require one more trip to [the Herma Heart Institute at] Children's Wisconsin.

Before the ambulance departed with BrentLee, staff allowed the parents to say goodbye.

Chelsey stood there, exhausted and afraid. It had been her first day at a new job and she'd just finished a 12-hour shift.

'I hugged and kissed him,' she said. 'I told him I loved him.'

Robert, not a religious man, had only prayed a few times in his life. He prayed that night.”


That chilling moment was just the beginning of BrentLee’s incredible journey. You don’t want to miss Toddler with failing heart rescued by groundbreaking surgery at Children’s Wisconsin, the harrowing and deeply emotional story about a young boy “born with blond hair, beguiling eyes…and a handful of holes in his heart” and the Herma Heart Institute doctor who did what had never been done before to save his life.

Read the full story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Researchers at Children's Wisconsin work to develop cutting-edge treatments and medical breakthroughs designed to improve the health of children. We represent the most powerful concentration of pediatric research in the region. Innovation means more here. View more articles from Children's Wisconsin Media Relations

Related Stories

Pile of newspapers
News Dec 04, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health Kids enter new joint venture

Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health Kids are announcing a new joint venture for shared pediatric cardiac and adult congenital heart care services.

New Children's Wisconsin Appleton Clinic opened March 6
News Oct 25, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin plans pediatric urgent care in Appleton

Urgent care services for kids of all ages will be available seven days a week at the clinic.

At Every Turn new trusted parenting resource from Children's Wisconsin
News Oct 23, 2024

Welcome to At Every Turn

At Every Turn is your new and improved parenting resource from Children's Wisconsin.

Children’s Wisconsin named among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report
News Oct 08, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin named among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report

Children’s Wisconsin ranked among the best in 8 pediatric specialties.

Children walking through a grassy field with the sun behind them.
News Sep 24, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin announces historic engagement and philanthropy campaign

Brighter Than Ever is the most ambitious and comprehensive engagement and philanthropy campaign in the organization’s history.

MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Wisconsin
News Sep 17, 2024

Children's Wisconsin brings life-changing gene therapy to kids with severe sickle cell disease

The MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is only center in Wisconsin to offer FDA-approved Casgevy therapy to children with severe sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent thalassemia.

Amy Herbst, VP of Mental and Behavioral Health at Children's Wisconsin, talks with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
News Aug 07, 2024

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Children's Wisconsin committed to improving mental health services. It's working.

It's been nearly five years since Children's Wisconsin launched a five-year plan to improve access to behavioral health care for children and adolescents.