Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation

?? Making a Difference in St. Louis ?? Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation is honored to be featured in the WashU Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement recent article, showcasing how Washington University students are making a lasting impact in our community. Through the St. Louis Impact Fund, these dedicated students have extended their summer service work—continuing to support organizations like ours that are committed to creating meaningful change. Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation strives to support families navigating pediatric heart conditions, offering critical resources and a compassionate community. Thanks to the Gephardt Institute and its mission-driven students, we’ve expanded our reach and further our commitment to heart warriors and their families. ?? To Grace Archer, who chose to stay engaged beyond the summer—your passion and dedication inspire us daily. Your work is not just an extension of service; it’s a powerful investment in the lives of those who need it most. Read more about their incredible efforts here: https://lnkd.in/gi39Xww9 Thank you, Jenn Hinkle, Beth Rumack RN, MSN, MBA NNP-BC, & Sydney Philpott-Streiff, for providing mentorship and investing in people. ?? #CommunityImpact #HeartHealth #GephardtInstitute #OllieHinkelHeartFoundation #WashU #ServiceLeadership

Ollie’s Branch therapist community member Dr. Annelise Cunningham is offering a virtual support group for parents of little ones with medical complexities (birth to 5). The group is open to residents in all 42 PSYPACT-approved states (https://lnkd.in/gkfrHeCj). The group will meet on Tuesday evenings 6:45-7:45 pm CST. The cost is $50/session, and registration will be capped at 10 participants. A little more about Dr. Cunningham (https://lnkd.in/gq3DjVcz): A clinical psychologist with dual training in both infant/early childhood + adult mental health, she specializes in trauma, grief, and attachment; with an additional subspecialty in medical complexities. She previously worked in the hospital setting and has now moved into private practice.

Faith Brackett shares her personal journey with a Pediatric Heart Condition, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system and emphasizing that it's never too late to ask for help, regardless of age.

During Black History Month, we celebrate the resilience and brilliance of Black medical pioneers whose groundbreaking work, despite systemic barriers, continues to shape modern medicine and save lives. ?? Dr. Josephine Isabel-Jones made history as the first Black woman in the U.S. to become board-certified in pediatric cardiology. A trailblazer in her field, she was the first Black resident at the University of Tennessee and later completed her pediatric cardiology fellowship at UCLA. She went on to have a distinguished career at UCLA, serving as Director of the Echocardiography Lab and earning Professor Emeritus status. Beyond her contributions to academia and medicine, she dedicated over a decade to providing life-saving cardiac care to underserved children in Peru through Hearts with Hope. Dr. John Beauregard Johnson was a trailblazing cardiologist who pioneered the use of angiocardiography (a procedure that uses x-rays to visualize the heart and blood vessels) and cardiac catheterization as diagnostic tools. In 1954, he became one of the first Black physicians appointed to Georgetown University Hospital’s staff and was the first Black physician elected as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Throughout his career, he studied high blood pressure’s disproportionate effects on Black Americans and published 64 research papers, including an award-winning study in Angiology Research in 1966. His contributions helped shape modern cardiology and improve diagnostic precision. Otis Boykin, a brilliant Black electrical engineer and inventor, transformed electronics with his breakthroughs in resistors. His work was crucial in creating the first successful implantable pacemaker, helping regulate heartbeats and saving countless lives. Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014, Boykin’s innovations made pacemakers more reliable, affordable, and accessible, improving patient care worldwide. Dr. Vivien Thomas, the grandson of an enslaved man, was a pioneering surgical technician whose groundbreaking work in cardiac surgery changed medicine. Working alongside Dr. Alfred Blalock, Thomas played a crucial role in developing the first successful procedure to treat Tetralogy of Fallot, also known as blue baby syndrome. His meticulous research and surgical expertise led to the life-saving BT shunt (Blalock-Taussig shunt) in 1944, though he initially received no credit. Despite the challenges he faced, Thomas’ contributions transformed heart surgery and saved countless lives. We are grateful for these advancements in the field of cardiology. This resiliency and determination deserves to be honored and celebrated. ??

Calling all 20 and 30-somethings in greater STL who are looking for ways to impact our community! Join us for our Young Friends Happy Hour on 2/6 in The Atrium at Olive + Oak. Enjoy 2 hours of food and drink and learn how you can help OHHF serve pediatric heart patients ?? https://lnkd.in/gbiT-tbs

This is why we tackle barriers to access to care as language should never be a barrier. Jenn Hinkle Beth Rumack RN, MSN, MBA NNP-BC Nytasha Taylor Sydney Philpott-Streiff Laura Ulrich Laura Watson Mia Malcolm Megan Howard Pappim Stevenson, MBA Nicole Davis Katherine Smith #barrierfreeaccess

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Ollie’s Plate, a new program made possible through a grant awarded by the highly competitive Dana Brown Charitable Trust. This support allows us to address one of the most significant challenges faced by heart families: food insecurity. With approximately 700,000 heart families in the U.S. struggling to access proper nutrition—and 100% of those affected falling below the poverty line—this program is a vital step in providing relief. This past holiday season, thanks to the Dana Brown Charitable Trust’s generosity, we partnered with Time for Dinner to deliver 85 delicious burritos to families inpatient at local children’s hospitals. These small acts of care and nourishment are just the beginning. Ollie’s Plate is dedicated to ensuring heart families have access to nutritious, healing foods during some of their most challenging times, helping them transition from hospital to home with one less burden to bear. We are deeply grateful to the Dana Brown Charitable Trust for believing in our mission to create brighter futures for heart warriors and their families. Together, we’re turning compassion into action, one plate at a time.

Let's light up this holiday season with a beautiful blue tree or candle to raise awareness for childhood-onset heart disease! ?? By coming together as a nation to honor those we have lost and show support for those living with heart conditions; they are so much more than the diagnosis given to them, we can make a real difference. Together, we can shine a light on the importance of early detection, research, and mental health support for children affected by heart disease and their families. Let's show our solidarity and make a positive impact this December! Share your blue tree or candle on social media using #BlueTreeForHeartDisease and #ChildhoodHeartAwareness, and tag Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation to spread the message and inspire others to join the cause. Let's start a national trend that not only honors those we have lost but also offers hope and support to those facing the challenges of childhood-onset heart disease. Together, we can make a difference and bring awareness to this important cause! ??????? #ChildhoodHeartAwareness #BlueTreeForHeartDisease #SpreadHope #RaiseAwareness #SupportOurYouth #ACHD ?? https://lnkd.in/gz2WiVGr

I'm thrilled we can offer these services to our St. Louis Community! #SpreadMoreEducation

Get ready to ignite a spark of excitement at your next event with the MegaHeart experience! ?? Our skilled OHHF educator will bring the magic of this impressive display to health fairs, school events, camps, and more in St. Louis. ?? With careful setup and interactive activities, your attendees will be amazed by the intricate details of the MegaHeart and learn valuable lessons about heart health. ?? But wait, there's more! Ask us about adding CPR & AED training for an extra layer of life-saving knowledge, and fun coloring books to keep the learning going even after the event ends. ?? Don't miss out on this opportunity to inspire and educate your community in a memorable way. #MegaHeartExperience #HeartHealth #EducationIsKey #StLouisEvents ?? Contact us today to book the MegaHeart and make your event truly unforgettable!