Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in America, affecting one of 120 births and 1.8 million individuals. Yet fewer than 10% of adult survivors receive the recommended care.
“We now have more adults who have grown up with a birth defect of their heart than children with such defects,” according to Dr. D. Scott Lim, renowned pediatric and adult cardiologist. “They comprise a significant part of our society whom we need to help.”
The challenge? As adults age, they face a high risk of developing new problems, and many need re-operations and transplants. The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) helps ensure that all individuals born with heart defects receive the education and life-long care they need to maximize their well-being and prevent premature disability and death.
Dr. Lim will be joined by Mr. Kevin Gordon, an ACHA board member with a complex congenital heart defect, to share their vision for improving and saving lives in the USA.
Scott Lim
Dr. Scott Lim, MD, a pediatric and adult cardiologist at the University of Virginia (U.Va.), specializes in the care of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD). Co-founder of the Center for ACHD at U.Va., Dr. Lim is noted for his expertise in the care of such patients as well as for interventional cardiology and pulmonary hypertension. U.Va.’s Center for ACHD incorporates multiple physicians, nurse clinicians, and social workers who are focused on adults with these types of life-long heart issues. Pediatric and adult cardiologists, congenital heart surgeons, congenital cardiac anesthesiologists, and cardiac radiologists all collaborate in this multi-disciplinary approach. Dr. Lim earned his B.A. from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his M.D. from Mayo Medical School. He served his pediatric cardiology fellowship at the University of Michigan and is currently serving as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics & Medicine at the University of Virginia.
Kevin Gordon
Kevin Gordon hasn’t allowed his congenital heart defect (d-TGA) to keep him from a successful career and a wonderful life. Professionally, Kevin has significant experience in retail sales, sales management, advertising, marketing, consumer research, technology development, e-commerce, retail concept development, strategic planning, venture capital, mergers & acquisitions, financial strategy, and new ventures. After 20+ years in corporate life, much of it with Best Buy, Kevin is now a founding partner in a retail strategy consulting firm. Kevin has traveled much of the world and continues to pursue his passion for friends, books, music, theater, photography, sports cars, and (spectator) sports. Kevin finally hooked up with the Adult Congenital Heart Association after he attended the Third National Conference held at the Mayo Clinic in 2004. Kevin is excited about opportunities to use his professional skills to help others with heart defects learn more about their condition.
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