Levine Children's

02/18/2026

Some people discover who they want to be early in life. For 17‑year‑old Emily, that purpose began taking shape long before her senior year.

At 6 years old, Emily learned that her heart needed extra care. A diagnosis of Long QT syndrome set her on a path filled with doctor visits, careful monitoring and eventually, the need for an implanted pacemaker and defibrillator to keep her safe from life-threatening arrhythmias.

Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital became a familiar place for Emily — one where she spent years navigating procedures and recovery, supported by a team who knew her not just as a patient, but as a person.

Growing up, Emily had to learn how to manage her condition while balancing school, friendships and swim meets in the midst of appointments and procedures. This meant learning how to listen to her body, adjusting along the way and finding strength in small wins.

Now 17, Emily is looking ahead at the future she wants to build — one that hopefully brings her back to Levine Children’s, this time in scrubs. Inspired by the compassion and encouragement she’s received throughout her care, Emily hopes to pursue nursing and one day become a CRNA, with a simple goal in mind: to be the kind of caregiver patients remember.

But Emily isn’t waiting for the future to start giving back.

While continuing her own care at Levine Children’s Hospital, she’s thinking about the other children who walk those same halls, and how to make the hospital feel a little less overwhelming for them. That’s what inspired her to start Heart for Hearts, a donation drive rooted in the small comforts that once meant so much to her.

Emily recently organized an Amazon wish list, hosted a packing day at her school and delivered more than 50 thoughtfully assembled gift bags to our patients — each one filled with items chosen to bring comfort and a moment of joy during a hospital stay.

Emily, we’re so proud of you and the future you’re building. You are already changing lives ❤️

Learn more about Emily’s journey and how she’s making a difference for other heart patients: https://bit.ly/4c1YXvg

02/18/2026

Future Niners on the move! 💚

Atrium Health Levine Children’s is proud to celebrate some of the youngest Charlotte 49ers fans in the annual Diaper Derby.

We are proud to support young champions through every step of their health care journey❤️

02/16/2026

A lot of heart goes into caring for some of our toughest patients. Brandon, a staff nurse and preceptor in the pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU) at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, knows this from personal experience.

As an infant, Brandon faced significant health challenges of his own, including late-onset group B strep, which sent him into septic shock and required hospitalization. During one hospital stay, he was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a form of life support for patients with life-threatening illnesses.

Brandon spent 15 days on ECMO before being discharged and sent home on oxygen and other therapies. While he didn’t know it then, that experience would ultimately inspire him to pursue a career in health care.

“I made it a personal mission of mine to chase the dream of giving back to the world of health care, kindness and humanity that saved me when I was an infant,” Brandon recalls. That mission manifested into an eight-year nursing career treating pediatric patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and CICUs, serving in both staff and travel roles across several states.

Today, as a CICU nurse, Brandon is part of a team that cares for warriors just like him — bringing the same level of compassion that once saved his life to pediatric heart patients at Levine Children’s Hospital.

We celebrate teammates like Brandon whose stories inspire us and whose dedication helps our heart patients thrive. ❤️

02/16/2026

There’s more than enough love to go around ❤️

Some of our youngest Valentines at Atrium Health Pineville were ready to steal our hearts, showing off their adorable Valentine’s Day looks. These sweet babies from our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) make each day brighter for their amazing care teams.

We are so grateful to be trusted by our brave young patients and their families ❤️

Please note: All babies photographed are in our neonatal intensive care unit, under constant monitoring to ensure their health and safety. These images are artistic and do not reflect AAP Safe Sleep recommendations. Please follow all safe sleep recommendations with your baby at home.

02/14/2026

Our pediatric cardiology teammates at Atrium Health Levine Children's are sending you lots of❤️.

Happy Valentine's Day from our hearts to yours!

02/12/2026

Puppy love is in the air!❤️

Therapy and facility dogs at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital strutted their stuff in full Valentine’s spirit, showing off costumes, tricks and dishing out plenty of cuddles to our patients. Our friends at Dunkin' even added to the fun with a sweet surprise — bringing donuts, gift cards and a fun photo-op for our patients and teammates.

For many of our patients, hospital stays can feel anything but ordinary, but moments like these help restore a bit of normalcy and show them the healing power of love. Seeing them smile while petting their furry friends was the sweetest treat, no candy required! 🍬

A huge thank‑you to our amazing friends at Seacrest Studios, Happy2Heal and of course, the pups and volunteers who made the day unforgettable. We’re so grateful for the love they shared with our patients!💖

02/11/2026

Evie is a 6-year-old Atrium Health Levine Children’s congenital heart defect patient whose strength throughout every step of her health journey inspires everyone around her.❤️

Since the day she was born, Evie's mom, Rhiannon, knew her daughter would be a fighter. Diagnosed with double inlet left ventricle with transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary atresia and severe pulmonary stenosis — all congenital heart defects affecting her heart and lung function — Evie experienced significant health challenges in the earliest days of her life.

“From the very beginning, she has faced more than most adults ever will, and she has done so with bravery and a fierce will to live fully and joyfully,” Rhiannon shared.

Evie’s care journey began at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital and later expanded to Levine Children’s Hospital where she underwent three open‑heart surgeries before the age of 4 — including lifesaving operations at just 11 days old, at 4 months and shortly before her fourth birthday.

For Evie’s family, the care she received was far more than medical. Her care team became an extension of their own family, offering compassion and encouragement during their most overwhelming moments. Support systems like Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation brought hope and light into some of their toughest seasons.

Today, Evie continues to live each day with the same determination that has defined her journey from the start. She receives lifelong cardiac care and ongoing monitoring with her care teams at Brenner Children’s Hospital and Levine Children’s Hospital guiding and supporting her every step of the way.

Evie’s story is a reminder to other heart warriors that they are not alone—and that they are more than their diagnoses.

We are grateful to care for and celebrate incredible heart patients like Evie.❤️

Learn more about Levine Children's pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program: https://bit.ly/4q7ajBm

02/08/2026

❤️💙💛

02/08/2026

02/07/2026

Delivering hope, one basket at a time❤️

We were honored to welcome NFLPA Charlotte chapter players and volunteers to Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital for Super Baskets of Hope, a nationwide initiative bringing comfort, joy and encouragement to children facing medical challenges.

This year, more than 12,000 Super Baskets of Hope gifts will be delivered to patients across the country. Levine Children's Hospital patients and their families received baskets filled with toys, crafts, a Build-A-Bear and other special goodies.

Arts for Life also had a craft table to allow patients to craft their very own special foam finger ahead of the Big Game!🏈

We extend heartfelt gratitude to Super Baskets of Hope, the NFLPA, and all national sponsors who made today possible. Thank you for encouraging our patients and and reminding families that they are never alone in their health journey.

02/07/2026

A pop of red and a lot of heart. ❤️

On National Wear Red Day, Atrium Health Levine Children’s teammates came together to raise awareness for heart health and show support for our patients and families.

Thank you to our teammates who lead with love, every single day.

02/06/2026

A splash of color to paint brighter futures🎨

Atrium Health Levine Children’s Arboretum Pediatrics recently unveiled a vibrant new sea‑themed interactive mural to brighten up the patient waiting room. Designed with both patients and parents in mind, this mural was created to bring joy to families while supporting early childhood development using the Basics principles — simple, research‑driven strategies that help build strong parent‑child bonds and support early brain development.

As children explore the underwater scene, families are encouraged to talk, point, sing, count and read together, turning moments in the waiting room into opportunities for learning, communication and emotional connection.

In collaboration with Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, Arboretum Pediatrics is extending early‑learning support far beyond the exam room. Through insightful videos, newsletters and now murals, families receive practical tools that strengthen both neural development and emotional security — long after their appointment is over.

The mural also ties into the practice’s long‑standing Reach Out and Read program, where children receive a new book at every well‑child visit from birth through age 5. Now, select visits include ocean‑themed Reach Out and Read titles paired with Basics bookmarks, allowing families to continue the interactive experience at home and reinforcing literacy as an essential part of healing, growth and resilience.

This new mural and our incredible partnerships with the community reflects our ongoing commitment to finding innovative, child‑centered ways to support every step of our patients' health journey.

Together, we’re building brighter futures one story, one connection and one colorful moment at a time.❤️

Learn more about all the ways Levine Children's pediatric primary care can support your child's health and development: https://bit.ly/460Oey7