Lynbrook HS Welcomes Back Student After Heart Transplant

LYNBROOK, NY — It was a special morning Tuesday at Lynbrook High School as junior Aidan Slattery returned to school after undergoing heart transplant surgery three months ago. Lynbrook Supt. Melissa Burak, Principal Joseph Rainis, assistant principals Salvatore Brescia and Matthew Sarosy joined excited students, staff and members of the Slattery family waiting for his arrival outside the high school.

Looking to give Slattery a memorable surprise homecoming, students held balloons and posters to welcome him back. Members of the marching band performed, and the cheerleading and kickline teams lined the sidewalk as Aidan was dropped off at the front of the building. Everyone cheered as they paved a path for him from the entrance of the school through the lobby, cafeteria and hallway.

Slattery, who has had a heart condition his entire life, fell ill in early May during his sophomore year and was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. There he learned his heart was failing and was placed on the nationwide emergency heart transplant list. He underwent a massive surgery to receive a heart pump called a ventricular assist device and began to grow stronger. Within five weeks, a near perfect match was discovered for a donor heart and Slattery underwent heart transplant surgery.

“When we learned that Aidan was coming back to school, knowing what he and his entire family had gone through, it was inspiring,” Rainis said. “And so I said to myself, wouldn’t it be great if we had the whole building outside to welcome him back? It’s just a nice way to welcome a wonderful young man back into the family.”

As Slattery was celebrated by his peers, Burak expressed how happy she was to see him return to school. Todd Slattery, Aidan’s father, was among the crowd and was thankful for the support of the school community.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “Aidan definitely brings out the best in them. He’s got a great personality and he’s pretty soft spoken, so this is probably a shock for him, but he knows that this whole thing came with a responsibility so he’s welcoming of the attention. Aidan wants to tell his story so that others can benefit from increased awareness for organ donors and the wonderful work that’s happening at children’s hospitals around the country.”