Ashlee was only three months old when she underwent open-heart surgery. While all babies are born with a small connection between the right and left atrium, Ashlee entered the world with three holes in her heart—requiring urgent, life-saving intervention. With limited technology at the time and a dedicated team of surgeons, her operation was a success.

Because of that care, Ashlee grew up making memories with friends, graduating from high school, and enjoying a healthy life with her family. Even with a strong recovery, she carried quiet challenges. She couldn’t have caffeine and had to avoid activities that might strain her heart. Her “zipper” scar—a term many heart surgery survivors know—was one of the biggest obstacles her younger self had to navigate.

Everything shifted during a trip when she spotted someone at the beach with the same scar. “I was on vacation and for the first time in my life, I saw someone who looked like me. She was college-aged, wearing a swimsuit, and you could see her scar. She was confident, and it made me want to be confident as a little kid,” Ashlee said. In that moment, she felt seen—and she realized she wasn’t alone.

Today at 28, Ashlee is using her life experience to help others. She now works for MercyOne Iowa Heart Center as a referral specialist, guiding patients through the steps of caring for their hearts. Whether she’s helping someone schedule a echocardiogram or offering general education, Ashlee emphasizes the importance of knowing when—and why—to seek heart screenings.

“I feel like most people don’t know, it could be your heart. They may think it could be something else like anxiety or stress. But maybe it’s your heart, and you just don’t know it,” she said.

Everyone’s heart tells an individual story. Through screening, education, and compassionate care we can continue to honor and protect those stories.