Grateful Couple Names Son After Advocate Children's Heart Surgeon

OAK LAWN, IL — Physicians can have a lasting impact on their patients and families. Dr. Luca Vricella of Advocate Children’s Hospital-Oak Lawn has had a puppy named after him, but never a baby. That is until late December.

Tommy and Tracy McCarthy were devastated when their son, Jack, was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz. This connective tissue disorder characterized by aortic aneurysms were weakening the main artery in his body. After the difficult diagnosis, the Ohio couple were turned down at several hospitals before traveling almost 400 miles to find hope at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Dr. Luca Vricella, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon at the hospital, took on the case and performed surgery to try to repair the aneurysm. Although Jack tragically passed away at 81 days old, the couple credit Dr. Luca Vricella with extending Jack’s life, giving them more time and priceless memories. The couple recently gave birth to their second son, naming him Luca after the doctor who gave their first son, Jack, "every possible chance to live."

Watch the tender moment when Dr. Luca Vricella meets baby Luca for the first time.