Love was truly in the air at the Heart Center during the Heart Month Parade.
Leading the parade was Noelle, our animal-assisted therapy dog from the Pawsitive Play Program. Wearing a heart-patterned tutu, matching bandanna and tiny crown, she trotted confidently at the front, earning her title as the “pup-arazzi-approved queen of hearts” and bringing smiles to the faces of everyone she passed.
Close behind, Child Life Activity Coordinator Victoria Ramos wheeled a cart filled with beads, stickers, bracelets, superhero masks and other playful surprises. Her team enthusiastically handed the items to patients, their families and staff.
“I love getting to meet patients and families every day and bringing a little joy to the kiddos while they’re in the hospital,” Victoria said. “We try to create an environment where they can still feel like kids, even while receiving serious care.”
The parade began with the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) program, which recently celebrated five years since opening its inpatient unit. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting roughly 1 in 100 babies and making them far more prevalent than other serious childhood diseases, such as pediatric cancer. Despite how common these conditions are, many families navigating heart disease face ongoing obstacles and often need extra support.
“Many of these children look healthy on the outside, but they’re dealing with challenges that aren’t always visible,” said Child Life Specialist Caley Kohlnhofer. “The more awareness and support we can provide, the better we can help them.”
The parade continued through the halls of ACHD, spreading encouragement and warmth. Occupational Therapist Tayelor Bade reflected on the importance of joyous moments like the parade. “ACHD is a special place because of the patients and providers I work with, and the smiles we can bring — even during difficult times — make all the difference.”
The parade also stopped at the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU). In this unit, our team members work together to support patients with complex heart conditions. “There are so many different complexities with the heart, including diseases and procedures,” said Inpatient Nurse Marissa Vazquez. “When we’re well-informed, we can spot issues sooner, run the right diagnostics and provide care efficiently and safely.”
For CPCU providers like Inpatient Nurse Emma Lynch, forming meaningful connections with patients is the best part of working at the Heart Center.
“I’ve worked at the Heart Center for two years and have developed strong bonds with long-term heart patients,” Emma said. “They constantly show resilience, strength and brilliance, and it’s inspiring to witness their journey firsthand.”
As the parade ended, the Heart Center’s message was clear: kindness, compassion and teamwork can brighten someone’s day.
Heart Month continues throughout February, offering our team members opportunities to educate, learn and show support throughout this significant month.
Please share in the comments below how you are honoring Heart Month!
