In April 2022, then 17-day-old Owen Monroe became the world’s first partial heart transplant recipient at Duke University Hospital.

After being born with a rare congenital heart defect and a significant leak coming from his heart, Owen needed new heart valves or a heart transplant right away. Given the timeframe for receiving a heart transplant donation, Duke doctors offered an alternative partial heart transplant option.

Owen underwent the revolutionary surgery and was able to leave the hospital with his parents about seven weeks later, proving that this new approach can save lives. Jevon Riley, supervisor for sterile processing, was part of the Duke care team that made the surgery a success.

"Being a father myself, I can't even explain or put into words how important these types of moments are. It's one of the reasons why we do what we do," said Jevon.

All Duke Health team members have a part in innovation and advancing health for patients. Providing compassionate and innovative care provides team members, like Jevon, with an invaluable experience that consistently motivates.

“Just the impact of knowing that you have done something to make somebody’s quality of life better, to me, it’s invaluable. It’s the reason why I continue to do what I do,” he said. “I’m very proud to work here and be part of something like this. Health care is always developing and getting better, and the procedure that baby Owen had is just proof that Duke is in the forefront when it comes to innovation in health care."