Her Story
In October 2006, 18 year-old Allyssa Smith, a college freshman, an avid athlete and the picture of good health, was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakens the heart and causes life-threatening problems in many parts of the body.
Fortunately, Ally was referred to us. Her condition was severe. We used the latest advancements in treatments and technology—many of which were developed here—to save her life. Ally, whose courage and poise are remarkable, was sustained by a left ventricular assist device to allow her heart to rest and recover.
In March 2011, Ally went home from the hospital to continue her recovery from a January heart transplant. Ally, who has been one of the faces of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital for much of the last three years, became widely known in the national media as "The Bionic Bride" when she was married while implanted with her heart pump.
As posted on her Facebook page, Ally spent more than 60 days in the hospital and regularly visits for lab work and clinic visits. Her many well-wishers and supporters have been an inspiration to Ally and her family, and on her behalf, we thank them. (Visit the Multimedia Room for her story in video.)
She, like countless others we have helped, is living the future she did not have. No wonder U.S. News & World Report has ranked us among the top ten heart centers for 21 consecutive years.
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