Your support makes a significant difference in the lives of our patients and our community. Because of you, patients receive lifesaving, life-changing treatments. Because of you, our underserved and most vulnerable community members have access to care previously unavailable to them. Because of you, we are fostering a healthier Long Beach for everyone. Here are just a few stories from the many lives you have touched this past year with your generous giving. PATIENT Impact stories COMMUNITY
Tiny and Mighty Heart: A Newborn’s Tale of Recovery After Cardiac Arrest
Navigating Back to Normal How Next-Generation Surgical Technology Brought Angie West Life-Changing Relief
Athena’s smile says it all. One year after treatment
for a serious heart condition, she’s experiencing the joyful moments of being a kid.
Athena was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between her heart’s left and right ventricles. This congenital condition necessitated a transcatheter VSD closure to correct the defect. But before that procedure could take place, seven-week-old Athena experienced cardiac arrest. The transcatheter VSD closure would have to wait. Because cardiac arrest reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, the doctors shifted their focus to preventing permanent brain damage. Athena was admitted to MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU). The medical team worked urgently to stabilize her condition, using various interventions to prevent brain damage.
hands of the CTICU care team. “We received so much support in the waiting room,” Ashley recalled. “Athena’s care team stayed with us, providing comfort and reassurance that she was going to be okay.” Once stable, Shaun Setty, M.D., the Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, performed the transcatheter VSD closure, successfully repairing the hole in Athena’s heart. At six months old—75 days post-cardiac arrest—Athena was discharged. Her care team and hospital staff had grown quite fond of this resilient little girl and showered her with gifts to celebrate this milestone. Athena’s care didn’t stop there. The pediatric hospital’s exceptional continuum of care extends to comprehensive pediatric outpatient services through the Cherese Mari Laulhere Children’s Village. There, specialists closely monitor each step of Athena’s recovery. She has access to physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, and other
services, all under one roof. The extra support has
been invaluable.
Angie West, a neuroscience nurse and director of Long Beach Medical Center’s stroke program, suffered from severe back pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. The intense pain prevented her from standing straight and walking distances, and led to numbness in her feet causing her to fall. Even though she had undergone multiple surgeries for arthritis-related issues, the thought of spine surgery made her uneasy. Despite her hesitation, Angie knew that neglecting it could worsen her condition and possibly take away her mobility. She made the decision to go ahead with the surgery. “I overcame my fears, placing trust in my colleagues,” Angie recalled, “and knowing the advanced technology and skilled surgeons at Long Beach Medical Center’s Spine Health Center would be behind me.” Amandeep Bhalla, M.D., medical director of the hospital’s Spine Health Center, performed a lumbar laminectomy on Angie, followed by an instrumented spinal fusion
using the state-of-the-art ExcelsiusGPS® system. This tool combines robotics and GPS technology, enabling surgeons to execute precise pre-surgical navigation plans and ensure accurate implant
“Despite complications from her cardiac arrest, Athena is thriving,” said Yuliya Turiy, M.D., pediatric cardiologist at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “We’ve slowly reduced her heart medication and controlled her rhythm. She’s made a great recovery.” The quick intervention of the care team, coupled with the successful surgery, played a pivotal role in not only saving Athena’s life but also averting serious, potential long-term neurological issues. One year later, Athena’s health has significantly improved. Athena’s recovery is a powerful reminder that with specialized pediatric care and family-centered support, there is hope for even the youngest and most vulnerable patients. “I’m optimistic for Athena’s future,” Ashley said. “We have the best team of doctors, nurses, and surgeons possible. Because of their hard work, our daughter is here with us today. I would recommend Miller’s Children’s & Women’s Hospital to anyone.”
Top: Angie with her surgeon, Dr. Bhalla. Bottom: Post- surgery, Angie returned to doing what she loves.
placement. The ExcelsiusGPS® is just one of many technological advances utilized by the spine center’s surgeons. “The precision of ExcelsiusGPS® made Angie’s surgery a success, Dr. Bhalla said. “She could immediately stand straight and walk. She even climbed stairs the same day.” Post-surgery, Angie underwent 12 weeks of aquatic therapy, which significantly aided her recovery. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude: “Thanks to the surgery and therapy, I can now walk and work pain- free. Dr. Bhalla and his team have given me my life back. I’m grateful to them for their help throughout the entire process.”
Despite this devastating turn, Athena’s mother, Ashley, remained
hopeful. She knew her daughter was in the very capable
Tiny and mighty Athena Martinez.
8 | MemorialCare
Long Beach Medical Center/Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Foundation | 9
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