Pediatric cardiology patient Forrest Hilling is now thriving as a happy and healthy 19-month-old thanks to the team at WVU Medicine Children’s.

While pregnant, parents Kelsey Konchesky and Dalton Hilling of Morgantown, went for their 20-week anatomy scan. During the scan, doctors noticed something unusual about the baby’s heart.

The WVU Medicine Children’s Heart Center team carefully planned for Forrest’s delivery so that he could be evaluated right after birth. Once he arrived, the team was able to confirm the suspected congenital heart defect and begin care right away.

“Forrest had an echo right after I gave birth,” Konchesky said. “The doctor found two holes in his heart and a giant heart valve where there were supposed to be two. Our journey with the WVU Medicine Children’s Cardiology team started right there.”

Forrest was diagnosed with an atrioventricular septal defect, a heart condition in which there is a hole between the heart’s chambers, affecting blood flow and making the heart work harder than normal.

When Forrest was eight months old, Lee Pyles, M.D., M.S., pediatric cardiologist, referred him to Christopher Mascio, M.D., executive director of the Heart Center, for surgery.

“Forrest’s prenatal diagnosis and his being a stable newborn helped make the surgery a success,” Dr. Pyles said. “It took just under two hours to create two separate valves and seal the holes in his heart’s walls.”

Forrest is now thriving. He has regular visits with the Cardiology team to keep track of his condition.

“The fact that we can do this here and we only have to drive 15 minutes home, why would we go anywhere else when we have this top-notch care in our backyard,” Konchesky said.

To see a video about Forrest, click here. To learn more about WVU Medicine Children’s Cardiology, visit WVUKids.com.