First Pediatric Heart Transplant Performed at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health in Decades

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health achieved a groundbreaking milestone Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, with its first pediatric heart transplant in decades, offering new hope for young heart patients across the state and region.

A multidisciplinary team of more than 20 OU Health physicians, nurses and experts successfully completed the transplant, marking Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Heart Center as the only pediatric heart transplant program in the state.

Ten-month-old Parker Helmerich was born with critical pulmonary stenosis, a congenital heart defect. He has spent about 300 days in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital awaiting a new heart. He was born in December 2023 in Tulsa and quickly airlifted to Oklahoma’s Children’s Hospital and added to the transplant list in March 2024.

Parker’s parents, Faith and David, shared their joy with a simple phrase, “There’s an angel in heaven who left their heart for me.”

The achievement means Oklahoma children and their families no longer need to leave the state for this life-saving care. An estimated five children a year in Oklahoma have had to leave the state for transplants over the past decade.

“With a successful pediatric heart transplant in Oklahoma, this is the final step in ensuring that the children of Oklahoma have access to all cardiac care without having to leave the state,” said pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Harold Burkhart, M.D., professor of surgery and Chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and director of the Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgical Program at Oklahoma Children's Hospital. “This incredibly important milestone is 10 years in the making, and I am deeply honored and immensely proud of our team’s life-saving efforts."

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health joins an elite list of approximately 65 health systems offering this highly specialized pediatric surgical care for children. The team includes experienced pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists and advanced practice providers who utilize the latest treatment protocols and advanced techniques. Their work, including participation in clinical trials, has led to significant medical breakthroughs in pediatric cardiac care.

For the Helmerichs, it meant they were able to remain close to home as Parker awaited life-saving surgery. He will be able to continue to receive follow-up care close to home, surrounded by family, and begin his recovery process and ongoing care.

In February 2024, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Heart Center listed its first pediatric patient for a donor heart with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), marking a significant milestone in pediatric cardiac care for the state and region. This breakthrough revives Oklahoma’s pediatric heart transplant program, dormant since the 1990s. As the state’s sole pediatric heart transplant center, the Heart Center is a vital hub for advanced cardiac care, serving children across Oklahoma and beyond.

In preparation for the new transplant program, Oklahoma Children's Hospital opened the state's only 25-bed pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in 2022, dedicated exclusively to children with heart conditions, including transplant patients.

“Oklahoma now boasts a fully comprehensive pediatric heart transplant center, enabling us to deliver the highest level of coordinated care for our young transplant patients,” said pediatric cardiologist Dr. R Erik Edens, M.D., Ph.D. “This program bridges the final gap in treating pediatric patients with congenital heart disease. This first successful pediatric heart transplant is just another step in ensuring our youngest patients can receive top-tier heart care right here at home.”

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Dr. Burkhart moved to Oklahoma in 2014 to build the pediatric cardiac surgery program at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. The pediatric cardiac surgery team at Oklahoma Children's Hospital now performs more than 500 surgeries annually, with a 98.8% survival rate for open-heart surgery — above the national average regardless of complexity.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized the program as a Top 50 Best Children’s Hospitals in the nation for Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery for its 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 rankings. In addition, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital received the 2021 Mended Hearts International, Regional, Divisional, and National Hospital of the Year awards.

“Our mission at OU Health is to be the premier destination for Oklahomans facing severe and life-threatening conditions, leveraging our academic environment and expert teams equipped with advanced technology and knowledge,” said Dr. Richard Lofgren, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of OU Health. “When it comes to children, no parent wants to face an away game for their children’s healthcare and this major milestone for our team is another step forward in keeping Oklahoma’s kids here in Oklahoma for the advanced care they need.”

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Each year, approximately 450 pediatric heart transplants are performed in the United States. Heart failure in children can result from cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects or other medical conditions that damage the heart. Regardless of the cause, children with severe heart issues may require a heart transplant to survive.

Children with congenital heart disease often undergo one to three open-heart surgeries before receiving a transplant. A heart transplant can significantly extend and improve their lives. The wait for a suitable donor organ can range from days to years, with allocation prioritized based on medical urgency, blood type and distance between donor and recipient hospitals.

Learn more about the Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health Heart Center, including our surgical outcomes and surgery services provided or call us at (405) 271 - 4411