Noah

The Herma Heart Center, ranked No. 7 in the nation by Parents magazine, is one of the nation's top pediatric cardiac programs, specializing in the treatment of children. In an environment of hope and comfort, the goal is to provide compassionate, comprehensive and cutting edge care to patients and their families.

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At just 2 weeks old, Noah was admitted to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin because he had trouble breathing and his doctor had discovered a heart murmur. Doctors found his trachea, the airway tube that leads from the throat to the lungs, was severely deformed, and he had a heart defect.

At 1 month old, surgeons repaired Noah's heart and trachea using a special surgical procedure called tracheopexy. Children's Hospital is one of a handful of hospitals in the nation with the expertise to care for children with complicated tracheal problems. Trachea surgeries are complex and take a well-coordinated surgical team. Our specialists perform a large number of airway surgeries, which improves outcomes for our patients.

"Noah had tremendous care at Children's Hospital," said Noah's mom, Deborah. "I think of his doctors and nurses as his guardian angels. They saved my little boy. I will be forever grateful to Children's Hospital for the care they have given and continue to give to my son."

Noah, who is thriving, receives follow-up care at Children's Hospital's Airway, Digestive and Voice Center.

Read other children's stories.