Jennifer Shih, 35, was a pediatric cardiologist fellow six years ago when she felt a little tired and short of breath after climbing a flight of stairs. She performed an echocardiogram on herself, discovered fluid around her heart, and wisely took herself to the ER. Only six hours later, Jennifer was in cardiac arrest. To keep her alive, within a week a BiVAD mechanical circulatory device was implanted until a donor heart could be found. After her transplant on September 12, 2004, Jennifer and her friends started the Have a Heart Benefit Fund, raising up to $20,000 each year for transplant patient care, education, and research.

Jennifer's Story

Jennifer Shih, 35, was a pediatric cardiologist fellow six years ago when her plans went awry. She had just finished 20 years of schooling and three years of pediatric residency to fulfill her dream of becoming a pediatric cardiologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. While on call one night, she felt a little tired and was a little short of breath after climbing a flight of stairs to her office. She decided to perform an echocardiogram on herself and discovered fluid around her heart.

As she had never been ill in her life, she wisely took herself to the ER. Only six hours later, Jennifer was in cardiac arrest. Following emergency treatment, she was on a med-flight to the Cleveland Clinic. Upon arrival, she arrested again, but her heart could not be shocked back into working order. To keep her alive, a BiVAD (mechanical circulatory device) was implanted until a donor heart could be found. Only a week had transpired from the day she felt normal to facing death without a heart transplant.

After her transplant on September 12, 2004, Jennifer recovered for three months in the hospital and spent two years on disability. She was no longer able to practice pediatric cardiology due to the activity and risk of infection from exposure. She put her time to good use, however, by starting the Have a Heart Benefit Fund with her friends. They have raised $10,000 to $20,000 each year to help fund transplant patient care, education, and research.

“I have always loved helping people, and this has been a great way to show my gratitude to donor families as well,” said Jennifer. “I now have my heart transplant care followed at Emory in Atlanta, have gotten married, became a general pediatrician, and am currently a fellow in allergy and immunology at Emory while running the benefit. My transplant has made me a more empathetic doctor since I can truly understand what it feels like to be a patient. It has also made me live life to the fullest even more than before and not take any of my relationships with family and friends for granted. I am forever grateful to those who give the gift of life.”