June 9, 2022
A new heart, new hope for a newborn
Travis Heidt was holding his son, Franklin, for the first time. “It was a very joyous time and also an overwhelming time,” says the first-time parent. He was unsure of how to hold Franklin, unsure of how to care for him. But Travis knew that he and his wife, Morgan, would figure it out. They […]
Tags: Dr. Elizabeth Stephens, Dr. Jason Anderson, Dr. Joseph Dearani, Franklin Heidt, Heart transplant, Morgan Heidt, Travis Heidt
May 26, 2022
Celebrating 10-years with a new heart – just like her big sister
Linsey Rippy was 16 weeks pregnant with her second child when she learned her daughter, Madi, had dilated cardiomyopathy. She was just two-and-a-half years old. “Our hospital in the Twin Cities ran every genetic test on Madi, but nothing came up,” Linsey said. “She’d had a virus a few weeks before, so they figured that’s […]
Tags: Dilated Cardiomyopathy, ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Heart transplant, Linsey Rippy, Madi Rippy, Noel Rippy, Sydney Rippy
May 5, 2022
A shared heart: Two families come together after tragedy, transplant
Around the 15th of every month, Christin Gigstad and Tina Haug think of each other. They pick up their phones and text. Even if they’ve already talked that week, they want to check in. It’s an important date for them, one that no one else can fully understand. Four years ago, Christin and Tina were […]
Tags: Amanda Hansen, Carson Gigstad, Christin Gigstad, Dr. John Stulak, heart failure, Heart transplant, Paul Gigstad, Tina Haug
April 11, 2022
A regenerative bridge to transplant
At 34, Steven Graham has already beaten the odds. Born with a heart defect, doctors predicted that he would not live past 30. But over the years and a series of pacemakers, his heart was giving out, and he needed a transplant. Complicating matters, Steven’s declining cardiac muscle was also damaging his lungs. His physicians […]
Tags: Dr. Atta Behfar, Dr. Sudhir Kushwaha, Heart and Lung Transplant, Heart transplant, Randi Graham, Regenerative Medicine, Steven Graham, Transposition of the great ateries
January 27, 2022
New heart, new start for Gregg Bohlig
Heart-pounding moments have been ever-present in Gregg Bohlig’s life. He is a gifted athlete and was a three-sport star in high school, earning state player of the year in football and second team all-state guard in basketball. And he was offered a contract with a major league baseball team. While in college, the Eau Claire, […]
Tags: Cardiology, Dr. Daniel Kincaid, Dr. Julie Rosenthal, Dr. Patrick DeValeria, Gregg Bholig, Heart transplant, Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Mayo Clinic in Arizona
January 29, 2020
Sweet Homecoming After Successful Heart and Kidney Transplants
The road home was long for Laura Richardson as she battled through medical setbacks, and a protracted wait for a heart transplant and a kidney transplant. But when Laura finally returned healthy and happy to her beloved farm in Iowa, the reunion with friends and family was especially heartwarming.
Tags: Dr. D. Eric Steidley, Heart transplant, kidney transplant, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center
November 15, 2019
Motorcycle Dreaming After Two Heart Transplants
When Dale Leighton underwent a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic, the motorcycling enthusiast believed his days of poor health were behind him. But the new heart failed to work. For Dale, who’s dealt with life-threatening heart disease for years, that meant a second heart transplant and a second journey through recovery.
Tags: Dr. Richard Daly, Heart transplant, ventricular assist device
October 4, 2019
Pedaling His Way to a Successful Heart Transplant
Told he needed a heart transplant to stay alive, Greg Williams could have simply sat back and waited. Instead, he chose to take ownership of his health by exercising in his hospital room at Mayo Clinic right up until the day of his transplant in hopes of preparing his body and mind as best he […]
Tags: Cardiac Rehab Program, Cardiogenic shock, Dr. Alfredo Clavell, Dr. Richard Daly, Heart transplant, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center
March 20, 2019
Heart Transplant Helps Elise Campbell Reach New Heights
A lifesaving heart transplant at Mayo Clinic helped Elise Campbell break free from the physical limitations of a rare genetic heart condition she had lived with since she was 14. Now Elise is relishing the opportunity to enjoy experiences she never thought possible.
Tags: cardiomyopathy, Cardiovascular Medicine, Dr. D. Eric Steidley, Dr. Octavio Pajaro, Dr. Robert Scott, Heart transplant, Transplant Center
March 14, 2018
Defying Odds to Make it Through to a Heart-Lung Transplant
Aryn Clark needed a heart-lung transplant, but the wait was almost sure to be a long one. Advanced technology that did the work of her heart and lungs during that wait kept her healthy enough to be ready once transplant organs became available.
Tags: Dr. John Bohman, Dr. Richard Daly, Heart transplant, lung transplant, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center