‘Beyond Connor’

Connor was the icing on the cake.

After welcoming a daughter and son, Josie and Carl Sewell never expected to add a third child to their family. When they learned they were expecting another baby, they embraced the surprise with joy.

But days after Connor was born, Josie knew something was wrong. Her newborn son struggled to breathe and eat, sending the family on a months-long search for answers. Multiple hospital stays, consultations with specialists and mounting uncertainty left the Sewells desperate to understand why their baby was struggling.

“He was in heart failure, but no one really knew why, which is pretty scary,” Josie said.

The puzzle pieces came together at Children's Health℠, where a team of experts led by Nicolas Madsen, M.D., Co-Director of The Heart Center and Chief of Cardiology at Children's Health, uncovered a rare and difficult-to-detect heart defect.

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While there was fear and uncertainty, there also was comfort in having the diagnosis and a plan. Everyone on Connor’s care team rallied around us, and that gave us so much hope and strength.

— Josie, Connor's mother

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Small but mighty

Now armed with a diagnosis, Connor underwent surgery a few days later to reduce blood flow to his lungs.

The recovery was long, and there were hiccups. Connor still struggled to eat, requiring a feeding tube. But slowly, he regained strength.

“As a parent, you want to speed up time so your baby is healthy and home,” Josie said. “Dr. Madsen was with us every step of the way, reassuring us that Connor would go home and be with his siblings, his mom, his dad and his dog. We never took that hope for granted.”

With time, Connor grew stronger and underwent a second procedure to correct the defect. For Josie, the experience reinforced what makes Children's Health unique.

There were clinicians who answered their questions. Child life specialists helped Connor’s older sister and brother understand his diagnosis. There was a favorite nurse they called “auntie,” and an echocardiography technician who lulled Connor to sleep for a specialized image of his heart.

And there was Dr. Madsen, who would gently rub Connor’s head and talk to him.

“Dr. Madsen has always wanted the best for us and Connor,” Josie said. “You could see this connection between them, and I always appreciated that.”

Through it all, one unexpected symbol began to emerge: stuffed lions.

They came one by one from friends, family and visitors who stopped by Connor’s room. Before long, the tiny baby had amassed a collection of nearly 100.

The animal wasn’t just a plush toy – it was a symbol of Connor’s strength, ultimately earning him the nickname “lion” by his siblings.

"When I look at his scar, most scars make you think of pain or weakness. For him, it's a badge of honor—so much strength, so much courage,” Josie said.

Giving meaning to the journey

Several years later, Connor is your everyday 3-year-old boy, running and laughing.

But his family will never forget the early journey that led them to Children's Health. As the pediatric population in North Texas continues to grow, they want to ensure that same level of care is available to more kids.

Now, they’re making a difference that will live “beyond Connor, beyond us,” Josie said.

To honor the team that helped save Connor’s life, Josie and Carl established a Distinguished Master Physician Endowment in Pediatric Cardiology and recognized Dr. Madsen as the first recipient.

“From the moment we met Dr. Madsen, we knew that everything was going to be OK. His confidence and genuine care of our son put us immediately at ease,” said Carl Sewell, Connor’s dad. “When you meet a doctor like that, you want to ensure that he has all the resources he needs to make his department the best it can be. It's our hope that this gift furthers Dr. Madsen's vision for the Heart Center and inspires others to support this great hospital's mission.”

The fund provides lasting support for physician leaders in The Heart Center, helping advance research, foster innovation and strengthen the exceptional care available to children with heart conditions.

"When you go through something like that with one of your children, you quickly realize why Children's Health is so important to our community. Having access to the incredible doctors and team members that we had along the way inspired us to help further the mission of this institution,” Carl said.

By investing in people like Dr. Madsen, who drive innovation and put the puzzle pieces together, the Sewells are ensuring future generations of children and families have access to the same expertise, collaboration and compassionate care that guided their own journey.

“There are no words to express our gratitude to Children's Health and the Heart Center team,” Josie said. “Giving back gives meaning to our journey.”