Young Heart Patient Dreams of Being a Scientist

“Transposition of the great arteries” was the diagnosis Khandice received about her baby when she was five months pregnant. That was when her relationship with the University of Maryland Medical Center began. She started with the Center for Advanced Fetal Care and then continued on with the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital.

Khandice’s son, Karter, has a big but complicated heart, since he was born with the opposite of what is normal artery and ventricle function.

“In transposition of the great arteries, the aorta and the right ventricle are connected and the pulmonary artery and the left ventricle are connected, so basically the heart has to be repaired so the aorta and the left ventricle are attached and the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle pair up,” explains Peter Gaskin, MD, of pediatric cardiology. “However, there was more to his diagnosis. One of his ventricles was not well formed.”

Because of this diagnosis, Karter’s had two open heart surgeries since birth.

Special Care Inspires Mom to be a Part of UMMC

“During this whole process, I was so inspired by Karter and the care he received that I went back to school to further my career,” says Khandice. She is now a patient care technician in the adult cardiology department at University of Maryland Medical Center.

The health care he has received has allowed Karter to dream big for the future. Right now he would like to become a scientist when he grows up.

Are you looking for a pediatric specialist? Call the UM Children’s Hospital at 410-328-5887.