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Childhood Heart Survivor Becomes Pediatric Nurse
18 Feb
Summary
- A woman born with Tetralogy of Fallot now serves in the same hospital where she was treated.
- She underwent seven open-heart surgeries throughout her life.
- Her father, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty.
Erin Hunter-McPhan, now 36, is fulfilling a remarkable dream: working at the same hospital where she survived a severe congenital heart condition as an infant. Diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, Hunter-McPhan faced life-threatening challenges shortly after birth, necessitating immediate open-heart surgery.
Her early years were marked by numerous medical interventions, including a total of seven open-heart surgeries. Despite these trials and a stroke during her initial hospital stay, she led an active life, participating in sports and cheerleading.
Tragedy struck when her father, Sgt. Gregory Hunter of the Grand Prairie Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on June 18, 2004. This profound loss added another layer of challenge to her already difficult journey.
Driven by her experiences and inspired by the care she received, Hunter-McPhan pursued a career in nursing. Graduating with her father's picture on her cap, she joined the heart team at Children's Health, eventually becoming a program manager in quality outcomes and data.
Her journey has been supported by her medical team, who became like family, attending significant life events, including her marriage. She and her mother also honor her father's memory through the Sergeant Gregory L. Hunter Memorial Foundation.
