Lead Coordinator

Kristine Slovis

Kristine, her husband, Dan and her son, Gilbert, reside in Western Hanover County, VA.

She went into her 20 week ultrasound excited to find out whether she was having a boy or a girl. She not only found out she was having a little boy but that he also had a severe congenital heart defect and would require 3 open heart surgeries. Needless to say, this threw her and her husband for a loop. They immediately went home and began researching congenital heart defects and hospitals. Kristine decided to be induced and give birth at Medstar Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. and her son, Gilbert (named after Kristine’s grandfather) was immediately transferred next door to Children’s National Medical Center. Gilbert was diagnosed with Double Outlet Right Ventricle. He has had all 3 surgeries at CNMC. The first at 6 days old, the second at 5 months and the third at 2 1/2 years old.

Once they all returned home. Kristine knew she wanted to become more involved in raising awareness for Congenital Heart Defects while also meeting other heart families who are traveling on the same journey. That is when she found Mended Little Hearts. The support of meeting other heart parents who “get it” was priceless and made her feel less alone.

Since 2016 Kristine has been the chair of our Richmond Superhero Heart Run. A fun event to help raise awareness and money for congenital heart defects.

Co-Coordinator

Gabby Rivera

Bio Coming Soon

Community Outreach and Social Media Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon

Education

Bio coming soon. 

Membership Coordinator

Social Media

Coming soon.  

Treasurer

Megan Perkins

Megan has lived in Richmond for the last 9 years with her husband and son. After spending 15 years in banking, she took on one of biggest challenges of her life — being a heart mom.

She found out about Landon’s heart condition at her 18-week ultrasound. They were told Landon
would be born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
and would require three major surgeries by the age of three. They planned to deliver Landon at the hospital at the University of Virginia. Unfortunately, Landon came seven weeks early while she was visiting her family in North Carolina. He underwent his first surgery at Levine’s Children’s Hospital at six days old, his second at five months and the final surgery at age three, all at Levine’s Children’s Hospital.

Coping with all the surgeries and anxiety that comes with having a child with a heart defect is
hard. Getting a rare medical diagnosis of any kind can feel very isolating and lonely. It can
separate you from the friends and family you’re close to just because it seems like they don’t
understand how scared you are, Since they delivered in Charlotte, they weren’t aware of all that Mended Little Hearts offers to families going through similar difficult situations. Having support of other heart families who truly understand your situation is priceless. At Mended Little Hearts, we strive to offer support to families delivering children with heart defects to ensure none of these families feel like they have to go through this experience alone!