Martha Penturf

Martha Penturf and her husband, Ali, were overjoyed when they learned they were expecting a baby boy. However, their excitement quickly turned to worry when their son, Atlas, was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, a rare congenital heart defect involving four distinct heart problems. This condition disrupts blood flow through the heart and throughout the body.

“Hearing that our baby had a heart condition was one of the scariest moments of our lives,” Martha shared. “We were referred to Medical City Children’s Hospital, and the moment we walked through the doors, we felt an overwhelming sense of peace. We knew we were in the right place.”

Atlas received treatment from the Congenital Heart Surgery Program at Medical City Children’s Hospital, where Dr. Kristine J. Guleserian, the program’s director, performed open-heart surgery when he was just four months old.

“Dr. Guleserian took the time to thoroughly explain his condition, walk us through the surgery, and patiently answer all of our questions,” Martha says. “She, along with the entire team, made us feel at ease and reassured us that everything would be OK.”

Thanks to the successful surgery, Atlas is now back home, thriving, and growing stronger every day.

“We’re told he’ll grow up and live a normal life, just like any other child,” Martha says. “He’ll be able to go to school, play sports, and eventually have a family of his own. We are beyond grateful for the care he received.”