06/06/2026
At 37 weeks pregnant, Alison arrived at our Emergency Department with severe chest pain and was quickly diagnosed with a life-threatening aortic dissection requiring immediate, complex care.
In moments like this, no single team can respond alone.
From the Emergency Room to Obstetrics, Cardiac Services led by Dr. Shamsuddin Khwaja, Anesthesia, Critical Care, Nursing, Women & Infant Services and many more, multiple teams across our hospital came together with one shared goal: care for both mom and baby without delay.
Baby Emery was delivered safely by OB/GYN Dr. Stewart Mason, healthy and perfect.
Alison was then urgently taken for complex cardiac surgery, where our team worked to repair her aorta and guide her through a critical, hours-long procedure and recovery.
This is the level of care provided here. Highly specialized teams working side by side, bringing expertise, coordination and urgency together when every second matters.
Today, Alison and Emery are both home and thriving.
A powerful reminder of what’s possible here in our community when many teams come together to deliver advanced, coordinated care for the patients and families who trust us with their most critical moments. ❤️