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A Change of Heart
By Joanna Topor MacKenzie
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MICHEL ILBAWI
Pediatric Surgery, Advocate Hope Children's Hospital
As medical techniques go, the Ilbawi procedure is fairly daunting. In basic terms, it involves switching the location of the blood vessels leading into and out of the heart—a delicate task complicated by the fact that doctors perform the procedure on months-old babies whose hearts, marred by a congenital defect, are only as big as a walnut.
Though not many of his patients require this complex surgery, each of the infants under the care of Michel Ilbawi (who pioneered the procedure) is battling some form of heart disease that, without his skilled intervention, can have huge—and too often fatal—consequences. "I carry these patients with me in my mind all the time," says Ilbawi. "When you serve a baby, you try to do the best for that child. You hope you can provide the baby with a heart that would serve him for 80 years so that he can have a normal life."
Driven by that quest, Ilbawi has made research and innovation as much of his practice as surgery and caregiving. Originally from Lebanon, where he studied at the American University of Beirut, Ilbawi specialized in pediatric cardiac surgery at Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University Hospitals and at Northwestern University. At Advocate Hope Children's Hospital, Ilbawi divides his time between the operating room—where most days he performs four or five grueling surgeries—and the lecture hall. "To continue improving the profession, you need to teach and transmit your knowledge and experience to the younger generation," he says, referring to the students, residents, and fellows training with him. Ilbawi also regularly attends conferences around the world, to "exchange ideas and expand my horizons," he says.
Despite several offers to relocate, Ilbawi has never wanted to leave the Chicago area, where he has lived for close to 30 years. "It's a lovely city," he says—and his proximity to Lake Michigan allows him to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes: boating. Of course, the 16-hour days and the weekends on call barely leave Ilbawi time to relax with his wife and his two grown sons, who are pursuing medical careers.
Ilbawi does acknowledge that his job has one big payoff: the annual picnics, sponsored by the hospital, for all the patients—some well into their 20s and with children of their own—cared for over the years by Ilbawi and his staff. "Nothing is more gratifying than to see them recover and do well," says Ilbawi—not even having a daunting medical procedure named after you.
Photograph: Katrina Wittkamp
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Copyright 2012 Chicago Magazine - A Chicago Tribune website
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Reader Comments:
Doctor Ilbawi is truly a miracle worker. My grandson Beau is now 13 years old and leading a normal life thanks to Doctor Ilbawi. When I first saw my new grandbaby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit my heart broke and I really feared that he would not survive. But thanks to Doctor Ilbawi's skills Beau is leading a normal active life. Doctor Ilbawi is truly the King of Hearts in my book. God has sent us so many wonderful blessings and Doctor Ilbawi is one of the best.
Alex, my son is 5 now, he is very intelegent and happy. I too am very happy to have Doctor Ilbawi on our side as Alex goes through life with DORV. My wife and I can truthfully say that we love Dr. Ilbawi not only for saving our sons life but for his passion and love for all of his kids. In my opinion Dr. Ilbawi is one of the best Doctors in the World.
Doctor Ilbawi is amazing!!! We thank god everyday for this man!
My son is now 15 years old. Dr. Ilbawi is on our hero list! He came to Philadelphia to perform one of my son's sugeries with Dr. Russo. Every day is a gift that two surgeons "walking on water" have given to us. Thank you !!
To clarify, "Walk on Water" is a book about the inside of a pediatric cardiac care unit and OR. It is a behind the veil, inside the circle read.
As a medical student, I had the privilege of watching Dr. Ilbawi operate to repair the heart of an infant. I was astonished at his skill. As a resident, I've seen his compassion and patience when talking with the parents. He has skill, compassion, intelligence, grace, and vast experience. As a father and a doctor, I would not hesitate to place my child's life or that of any of my patients in his hands.
Dr. Ilbawi has completed 4 open heart surgeries on my son and saved his live many more times in his 9 years of life. As my son is preparing to undergo yet another open heart surgery, we are fortunate that Dr. Ilbawi will be performing this surgery. Without Dr. Ilbawi, I am certain we would not have our son with us. There is no way to experess our grattitude we have for Dr. Ilbawi and his team.
We are awaiting the birth of my daughter's baby in February, 2011, who has been diagnosed with Tricuspid Atresia. We are all holding our breath but because of Dr. Ilbawi's reputation and first hand recommendations from other parents of CHD children we are truly hopeful. Thanks for all the hope-filled comments. We pray for
Dr. Ilbawi and all "his children" every day.
I met dr.Ilbawi last friday. I'm 20 weeks pregnant and my son has HRHS (Hipoplastic Right Heart Syndrome), and immediately I felt so fortunate to have Dr.Ilbawi in charge of my son's surgeries.
His compassion was touching, plus there is something about his confidence that just makes you feel in secure hands.
I was praying for a miracle: having dr. Ilbawi as our surgeon is already miracle #1.