Advocate Health Care

Exciting news for our pediatric heart community! Advocate Children’s Hospital has launched a new pediatric heart transplant program, strengthening the lifesaving cardiac care we provide to infants, children and teens with severe heart disease and expanding regional access to this specialized care. “We are proud to offer the life-sustaining gift of transplant to our patients facing heart failure,” said Dr. Luca Vricella, director of pediatric cardiac surgery. “Over the past several years, we have continued to treat more heart patients in need of donor hearts. This new program means that these children and their families will continue to receive care from the expert team they know and trust. Our pediatric heart transplant program is a triumph for some of the sickest children in the region, and a milestone for our hospital.” The program is the culmination of years of planning and preparation through the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA), the successful partnership between Advocate Children’s Hospital, UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital and Endeavor Health. Nataly Paramó was the first pediatric patient to receive a heart transplant at Advocate Children’s Hospital. The 15-year-old had no history of heart disease. She learned that there was something seriously wrong with her heart after a routine physical to join the school’s basketball team. A specialist advised her to go straight to the emergency room at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn where doctors determined her heart was enlarged and weak. Doctors in the pediatric intensive care unit worked for more than a month to repair her heart before deciding that the only option to save Nataly would be a heart transplant. Nataly is part of a small club, with only about 500 pediatric heart transplants happening every year in the United States – that’s compared to around 4,000 performed on adults annually. The Advocate Children’s Hospital team has performed three heart transplants since December, with each patient successfully recovering at home. “Our first goal is to help the child have a successful surgery, but care doesn’t stop once the transplant is complete,” said Dr. Vricella. “Receiving a heart transplant shapes a child’s future and dramatically improves their quality of life. From the time our heart patients are diagnosed with heart failure to when they undergo transplant to adulthood, we will be there to help them and their families thrive.” Learn more about our new pediatric heart transplant program: https://bit.ly/3Fh48c8

Nicole, Nurse of the Year at Advocate Christ Medical Center, currently serves as a Progressive Cardiac Care nurse. She advocates for patients' rights and played a key role in organizing the Rocking Research event, collaborating with managers and teammates to enhance participation and fundraising efforts. She's worked to develop interpreter signage to improve communication for patients with language barriers, leading to user-friendly resources that enhance accessibility for both teammates and patients. As the auditor for wound prevalence, she educates staff on best practices. “Being actively involved in mentorship, Professional Governance and keeping an optimistic approach to the ever-changing world of health care continue to drive my professional growth. I've been an active member of the Professional Governance Council for the past four years and recently became our hospital’s nursing inpatient chair. My professional organization involvement, my desire for continuing education and a continued partnership and mentorship with nursing leaders help nurture my desire to bring joy and positive changes to the nursing world.”

Congratulations to Advocate Health Care President Dia Nichols, FACHE on his recognition as a 2025 Chicago TITAN 100! The Titan 100 program honors the area's top CEOs and C-level executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision and passion in their respective industries. An accomplished, solutions-driven health care executive, Dia is recognized for his dedication to advancing innovation, increasing access to care, mentoring the next generation of health care leaders, and positively influencing the health and wellness of the communities we serve. Hundreds of guests gathered at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier last week to celebrate Dia and his fellow powerhouse leaders who are driving innovation and growth in Chicago's business community. Please join us in congratulating Dia on this well-deserved honor! Read more about Dia's recognition: https://bit.ly/4bh3YOb

Dr. Michelle Blakely’s journey as a health care professional wasn’t traditional. As a college student, her persistence and determination earned a spot in the top-ranked University of Michigan program, which opened doors for many opportunities to follow. While she initially aspired to be a surgeon, she became more drawn to hospital administration, an adjustment that ultimately brought her to her current role as President of Advocate South Suburban and Trinity Hospitals. Despite the adjustment, one constant was her strong desire to create meaningful change in health care on a larger scale. Joining Advocate Health in March 2020, her ability to lead through unprecedented crises was tested from day one. She quickly learned her team’s strengths and showed great commitment to making a difference as the world navigated a global health crisis. “My job is to make sure our teams have what they need to succeed—for our patients and for each other,” Dr. Blakely shares, describing her role with the organization. As a cancer survivor, Dr. Blakely never let her diagnosis define her path. Her passionate leadership demonstrates inspiring resilience, even through the obstacles she faced along the way.

That's a wrap on our #AdvocateAllStar trip to Cubs Spring Training! While our time in Arizona might be over, the memories with these inspiring kids will stay in our hearts forever. 🫶 Thanks for following along on Gerald, Mary Alice and Patricio's big adventure. And thanks to the Chicago Cubs for teaming up with us to make this an unforgettable journey for our heart patients and their families.

Heart patients from Advocate Children's Hospital got the full VIP treatment at Cubs Opening Day! We teamed up with the Chicago Cubs to bring Gerald, Mary Alice and Patricio, along with their families, to Arizona on an all-expenses-paid trip to enjoy Spring Training like an #AdvocateAllStar. Check out their epic game day in Mesa!

Eric Rhodes, the president of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, was recently telling someone at work about his discomfort in his chest when someone overheard and quickly brought him to the emergency department. After several tests, Dr. Dominick Bufalino, Advocate Medical Group interventional cardiologist, determined Rhodes had an 80-90% blockage in his left anterior descending artery. Blockage in this so-called “widow maker” artery can lead to a fatal heart attack if left untreated. Thanks to the quick thinking of everyone involved and some additional testing, the blockage was found and a stent was placed before things could worsen. Now, Rhodes is encouraging others to know their family history and seek medical attention when something doesn't seem right. “I know a lot of people, especially men, refrain from going to a doctor. Don’t be hesitant to seek care,” Rhodes said. “It is important for everyone to be aware of their family history, their conditions and know when to seek care.” Better understand your heart health risks with our quick, free assessment: https://bit.ly/3EKcKaZ

Our 1st day at Spring Training was filled with unforgettable memories. Pediatric heart patients, Gerald, Mary Alice and Patricio, each became a "Cub for the day!" Our crew trained with the pros, joined their team huddle, watched practice, hung out in the dugout, took an exclusive tour of Sloan Park and even played a game of ball with Cubs coaches and Clark. Thank you to the Chicago Cubs for teaming up with us to make this experience so special for our #AdvocateAllStars!

Pediatric heart patients from Advocate Children's Hospital got their "signature moment" at Spring Training when we partnered with the Chicago Cubs to host a reverse autograph signing. From being the stars on the cards to lining up to meet our young heroes, this legendary autograph swap 🔄 was a hit with the pros as much as the kiddos! And don't worry, our Advocate All-Stars, Gerald, Mary Alice and Patricio, still got autographs from their baseball idols, too. 😉 We've got more fun and surprises in store during their adventure in Arizona. Stay tuned!

Dr. Chinelo Okafor always knew she wanted to work with children. After completing her pediatric residency at Advocate Children's Hospital, she briefly worked at the University of Chicago before returning to Advocate—drawn back by the people and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As a pediatric hospitalist, Dr. Okafor loves working with kids and their families during vulnerable moments, helping them navigate the uncertainties of illness. “I really love helping to develop not only kids, but families as well,” she shares. As a first generation Nigerian American, Dr. Okafor’s personal experiences growing up in a culture different from her own has shaped the way she connects with patients and teammates alike. She strives to ensure that every patient, family and colleague feels valued and heard, no matter their background. “Different perspectives and experiences translate to better care for the people walking through our doors,” she says. As she continues to lead with compassion and purpose, she’s not only making an impact today but also paving the way for the future of medicine.