Nebraska Surgery Reviews

Children’s Hospital of Omaha (Nebraska)

What CHD does/did your child have? Hypoplastic left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

What was done to correct this CHD? Stage 1 Norwood, Bi-directional Glenn, and she will have her Fontan completion (EC conduit) in 2005 or 2006

Where was your child's surgery done? Children’s Hospital of Omaha, Nebraska

Who did the surgery? Dr. Kim Duncan

When was the surgery done? Stage 1 – May 29, 2003  and   Bi-directional Glenn – September 10, 2003

What did you think of the hospital and staff? I think the hospital is a wonderful oasis in the middle of the heartland.  Unfortunately, Children’s of Omaha does not get as much press as they should.  It is one of the only regional hospitals capable of complex open heart cases.  It is a relatively new hospital facility built especially for children and the design and equipment is first rate.  The staff is outstanding.  The nurses were knowledgeable and compassionate.  Even the cafeteria folks were friendly and kind.  Everyone was very focused on the entire family, and they did everything possible to make our stay comfortable and to ease the recovery time of our daughter.

What did you think of the surgeon? Dr. Duncan is a miracle man.  He is renowned, skilled, compassionate, precise, and intensely focused on saving each child’s life and making it a life worth living when they are done.  He takes a personal interest in every patient.  He is a perfectionist, as he should be.  He takes his work very seriously, and fully invests all his talents and skill in every child he treats.  He has a good rapport with his colleagues and nurses, and is a very respected doctor in the field of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. 

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? We do all the time and probably will forever.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon?  I know that many folks from this area of the country have a bias for Mayo and Michigan.  I think more would come to Omaha if they knew of the first rate care and facility that was located there.  We did not have the option of researching hospitals before our child was born, we just had to trust when we showed up that they would take the best care possible of our daughter – and they did.  We are lucky to have such a fine surgeon, and facility in Nebraska.

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Children’s Hospital of Omaha (Nebraska)

What CHD does/did your child have?  AV Canal

What was done to correct this CHD? AV canal repair, closing large ASD and small ASD, and repair of mitral valve.

Where was your child's surgery done? Children's Hospital of Omaha, Nebraska

Who did the surgery? Dr. Kim Duncan

When was the surgery done? March 31, 2004

What did you think of the hospital and staff? Absolutely wonderful.  I can't say enough about them.  They take great care of both the children and the families.  The hospital is very family friendly, and makes siblings feel welcome as well.  They are also very advanced in the technology used to provide patient care.  Lab testing is done at bedside, and results are obtained in seconds.  The use of specialized doctors in both ICU and on Med/Surg floors means that a physician is available 24 hours a day, giving parents a great sense of well-being. The staff members love children, and that is evident from the doctors and nurses, down to the housekeepers.

What did you think of the surgeon?  Dr. Duncan is a wonderful man.  I feel very lucky that he is our daughter's surgeon.  It's amazing how a man with suck talent and knowledge can still have great rapport and bedside manners with the parents.  One can tell that he is passionate about his career, and precise in the care given to his patients.

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? Absolutely.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon?  I would highly recommend both Dr. Duncan and Children's Hospital in Omaha.  I think that sometimes families with CHD hear more about Michigan and Mayo, but Children's deserves to be mentioned as well. Their success rate is amazing.  Children's and its staff is truly a gift to those living in the Midwest.

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Children’s Hospital of Omaha (Nebraska)

What CHD does/did you child have? HLHS

What was done to correct this CHD? Modified Norwood - currently through second stage.  Two angioplasties as well.

Where was your child's surgery done? Children’s Hospital - Omaha, NE

Who did the surgery? Dr. Kim Duncan

When was the surgery done? 1st Stage - March 19, 2003;  2nd Stage - July 7, 2003

What did you think of the hospital and staff? The hospital and staff provided excellent care for both our daughter and us as parents.  The doctors and nurses considered our opinions and welcomed us to join them for rounds and encouraged us to share our thoughts and opinions as well.  We were provided with direct phone numbers for the nurses caring for our daughter and were encouraged to call at anytime and as often as we liked.  We were in Children’s for almost five months and some of the staff became almost like family to us.

What did you think of the surgeon? We have a great amount of respect for Dr. Duncan.  He performed a very difficult surgery on our daughter, who was a less than ideal candidate for the surgery she needed, and with great results.  He always showed up at any sign of trouble for her and spent several late nights helping care for her.  He is obviously a very capable surgeon but is also very down to earth and willing to explain things in terms a parent in crisis can understand.   He takes the time to know the parents as well as the child and never appears to be in a hurry to move on to something else.  He is also concerned about the welfare of the children afterward, requesting that follow-up developmental studies and such be performed as part of on-going research. 

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? Definitely

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? I honestly don't believe that you could find a better facility or doctor to care for your child and make you as a parent feel comfortable as well.  Everyone from kitchen and janitorial staff to nurses and surgeons were friendly, accommodating, and above all, good at what they do.  Excellent follow-up care is provided after leaving the hospital as well.

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