A group of heart patients recently "graduated" from a special program at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
The graduates at the ceremony are small, but their accomplishment is anything but insignificant.
These toddlers have successfully completed the CHIEF program, which stands for Complex Congenital Heart Infant Evaluation and Follow up.
All were born with congenital heart defects and have survived multiple heart surgeries.
"The initial two are usually done within the first year and between those two surgeries their rate of mortality is pretty high," said Shelley Akey, a neonatal nurse practitioner.
Thanks to the CHIEF program, that mortality rate drops significantly.
CHIEF teaches parents how to monitor their infant's health at home, and gives families direct, easy phone access to expert doctors and nurse practitioners.
"So they're not always having to run to the emergency department if they're not sure how their child is doing, give them certain parameters on things to look for at home," said Akey.
Parents Bryan and Michelle Prater are overjoyed that 15-month-old Serenity has made it through the program.
Born two months early and without a pulmonary artery, serenity has already undergone two heart surgeries.
The Prater's can't speak highly enough of the support they've received from CHIEF.
"Tremendous everywhere, counselors everywhere, social workers, everybody; our nurse practitioner, she was the best," said Bryan and Michelle Prater.
95 children have already received these diplomas from the chief program and another 13 kids will graduated recently. Even after they leave the hospital, they'll still continue to receive medical support from the PCH team.
As parents walked their little ones to the stage, their faces were filled with joy and also with relief.
While the kids are the ones receiving diplomas, it's the parents who appreciate what a gift it is to have a healthy child.
"This hospital works miracles. This day means a lot, I'm so excited to even be here," said Bryan and Michelle Prater.
Many other children are still progressing through the CHIEF program and several will graduate in fall of 2013.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
