"My name is Brianna Baumberger, and I am a 26-year-old from Nebraska. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortic stenosis. My mother often tells me that even at birth, a nursing student was able to recognize my heart murmur because it was so pronounced. Throughout my life, I underwent several balloon valvuloplasty procedures and was fortunate to avoid open-heart surgery.
In 2024, I began seeing a cardiologist who specializes in adult congenital heart disease. During one of my appointments, I was informed that my aortic valve pressure had become borderline severe, and that continued exposure to this pressure could have long-term detrimental effects on my heart. This completely caught me off guard: it was time to start planning for open-heart surgery. I was surprised because I felt like my normal self and had never experienced any symptoms. Processing that news was difficult, but my family and I quickly shifted our focus to researching every possible option to determine the best path forward.
After countless hours of research, I felt that the Ross procedure was the best choice for me. Because my pulmonary valve was healthy, the procedure offered several advantages, including avoiding lifelong blood thinners and providing the potential for excellent long-term outcomes. It gave me hope that I could return to living a full and active life.
Once I decided on the procedure, the next challenge was finding the right surgeon. In the fall of 2025, my mother and I traveled to meet with three surgeons in Nebraska, California, and New York. Each was highly qualified, but after meeting Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team at Mount Sinai, I knew I had found the place where I wanted to have my surgery.
From the moment we arrived, everyone made us feel welcomed and cared for. Our consultation lasted nearly three hours, and at no point did anyone make us feel rushed. Every member of the team took the time to answer our questions thoroughly and thoughtfully, ensuring that my family and I fully understood the procedure and what to expect. Their expertise was immediately evident, but what stood out even more was the genuine compassion they showed us throughout the visit.
Leemor, the program manager, was invaluable in helping us coordinate the logistics of traveling from Nebraska to New York for my surgery. She assisted us in securing affordable accommodations at Bubba and Bean Lodges, making an overwhelming process much more manageable. I am also incredibly grateful to Arielle, who worked tirelessly for several months to help my family navigate the insurance approval process. Thanks to her persistence and dedication, my procedure was ultimately covered by our insurance.
Today, I am eight weeks post-op from my Ross procedure, and I can confidently say that choosing Dr. El-Hamamsy and the team at Mount Sinai was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Every person involved in my care—from the nurses and advanced practice providers to the physicians and support staff—treated me with exceptional kindness, professionalism, and compassion. They made sure I felt informed, comfortable, and fully prepared before I was discharged from the hospital.
At my one-week follow-up appointment, I met with Dr. Chen, who had been involved in my care from my initial consultation throughout my surgery and hospital stay. She took the time to answer every question my family and I had and made sure we felt confident and supported before returning home.
Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the care I received from Dr. El-Hamamsy and his entire team. Their experience with the Ross procedure gave me complete confidence that I was in the best possible hands. While open-heart surgery is a life-changing experience, they approached it with a level of skill, precision, and confidence that brought tremendous comfort to both me and my family.
Because of their expertise and compassionate care, I now have the opportunity to look toward the future with renewed health and optimism. I will always be thankful for everything they did for me, and I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr. El-Hamamsy and the entire Mount Sinai team to anyone considering the Ross procedure."
