Owen Kingsbury, a 20-year-old from Villa Park, Illinois, was born with a complex congenital heart defect. His diagnosis—transposition of the great arteries with an atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and coarctation of the aorta—meant he needed surgery at just nine days old. This was only the beginning of his journey.
Over the years, Owen has undergone multiple procedures, including catheter interventions and valve replacements. Despite these challenges, he had a relatively normal childhood, playing sports and keeping up with his friends and siblings.
A Heart Attack and the Need for a Transplant
Everything changed in 2020 when, at just 15 years old, Owen suffered a heart attack following a valve replacement surgery. As a result, he developed heart failure, leading to severe complications, including delirium and a blood clot in his leg. It was a tough time, but it also set the stage for the next chapter: a heart transplant.
Owen was placed on the transplant list and, while waiting for a donor, relied on an Impella Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) for support. Just 30 days later, he received his new heart.
Support from Family, Friends, and Medical Teams
Through it all, Owen’s family and community rallied around him. Friends, extended family, and neighbors stepped in to help with meals, gifts, and donations for medical expenses. His local high school and town created “Team Owen” shirts to show their support, and the nurses at Lurie Children’s became like family, providing comfort and care during his hospital stays.
A Bright Future in Medicine
Today, Owen is thriving. He’s a college student with ambitions to become a physician’s assistant and earn a PhD in Neuroscience. During a summer internship with the perfusion team, he even worked alongside Dr. Michael Monge, the surgeon who performed both his VAD implant and heart transplant. “Seeing Owen transition from a patient to a colleague in the operating room was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Dr. Monge shares.
When thinking about what helped him during his toughest times, Owen noted that staying optimistic and busy made a big difference. Some of his favorite memories from his time in the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit include going on walks and playing games like hide-and-seek with the little kids. He also enjoyed hanging out with the other teenagers, who were able to relate to what he was going through and made it feel like they weren’t all sick.
For other families going through a similar experience, Owen stresses the importance of keeping open lines of communication. He also encourages patience, both for parents and children, as everyone navigates recovery and life after a transplant.
Looking ahead, Owen is focused on his health and education. He hopes to continue pursuing his goals while also raising awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Learn more about the Lurie Children’s Heart Transplant program.
