Pictured: After finishing her blood draw in Shore’s new sensory-friendly outpatient lab, Sloane leaped into the arms of Lab Assistant Supervisor Michele McDaniel. Left to right: “Bluey” (Andy Taylor, EMT), Michele McDaniel, Sloane, Lab Assistant Nicole Browne, and Sloane’s big brother, Sam.
At just five years old—actually, “five-and-three-quarters,” as she proudly explained—Sloane is already a hero in her own story. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, she underwent multiple open-heart surgeries as an infant and is now waiting for a transplant. She’s dual-listed at two transplant centers, but because of her antibodies and complex history, finding a match is difficult. In the meantime, her family works hard to balance being ready for a transplant call with helping Sloane enjoy life.
Sloane’s mom, Nora, grew up in Cape May County but has lived near Washington, DC, for 20 years. Still, the shore is home—her mother lives in Wildwood, and much of her extended family is nearby. “Sloane went into heart failure two years ago, and that’s when she went on the transplant list,” Nora explained. “It made it very hard for us to venture too far from home. But I missed my mom and family by the beach. Last summer, after my mom researched Shore Medical Center and what it offers children, we felt comfortable coming up for a week.”
That visit proved life-changing. For a child with past medical trauma—even regressing in her development at one point—blood draws can be frightening. But Shore’s pediatric team turned the experience into something positive. Sloane’s favorite character at the time was Peppa Pig, and ER Director Sherri Richmond surprised her with a Peppa plush - which was donated to Shore by a member of our community. That toy became Sloane’s constant companion, traveling with her to Pittsburgh, where her infusion team even placed an IV on Peppa before treating her. “All year long, that Peppa came with us everywhere,” said Nora. “It was such a comfort for her.” Shore also introduced Sloane to a “shot blocker,” a simple tool that reduces needle pain and fear. “Her Pittsburgh hospital didn’t have these, but after I told them how much it helped Sloane, they purchased them, too.”
That positive experience gave Nora the confidence to plan a longer trip this year—five and a half weeks at the shore. “It’s 100% because I felt comfortable with the support we’d get at Shore if we needed it,” she said. “The love and detail in your programs has made all the difference for Sloane and our family.”
Sloane needed bloodwork again this summer, and her mom reached out to Sherri once more. This time, she learned about the new sensory-friendly outpatient lab, funded through the generosity of Mike and Jeannie Monichetti. Shore’s team wanted to make the visit just as special—only now Sloane’s favorite had changed from Peppa to Bluey.
On the day of Sloane’s labwork appointment, Sherri, along with Mike Smith, ED Clinical Development Supervisor & Pediatric Liaison, and EMTs Andy Taylor, dressed as Bluey, and his wife Abby, greeted Sloane outside with bubbles and smiles. Inside, Sloane followed colorful decals on the floor, played with a wall-mounted Shark activity board, and discovered Bluey and Bingo plushies waiting on the vibroacoustic lounger while Bluey cartoons played on the television. With her older brother Sam by her side, Sloane felt calm enough to complete her bloodwork without fear.
For Nora, the impact was profound. “Every time we touch the medical system, it reinforces something in Sloane—positive or negative. To have people like the Shore team and experiences like this means everything. You’re not just giving her good care, you’re giving her positive memories to help make the next medical experience easier. That’s priceless.”
Sloane’s family was able to enjoy much more on vacation this year - ice cream dates, building sandcastles, zoo camp, and boardwalk rides (Sloane especially loves the log flume). For Sloane, the highlight at Shore was simple: “Bluey came to see me!” she told her dad afterward.
“This is what makes Shore so special,” said Nora. “You’ve created something extraordinary, right here in our community. As someone who was born at Shore, and who has been to countless hospitals since Sloane was born, I couldn’t be prouder to bring my daughter here.”
At Shore Medical Center, that’s what pediatric care looks like—compassion, personalized attention, and joy woven into every step of the journey, so children like Sloane can feel safe, supported, and celebrated, even amid life’s biggest challenges.
