Counted among 10-year-old Vivien Kozeny’s best friends is Dr. Saadeh Al-Jureidini, a pediatric cardiologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Known by his young patients as Dr. J., the doctor might be an unusual choice for a young girl’s best friend, but Vivien has known him practically her whole life—in fact, he helped saved her life.
Vivien was born with atrial septal defect, a hole in her heart, that caused her to develop arrhythmia. “Most of the time, the holes close on their own, but with how large Vivien’s was, they knew that wouldn’t happen,” says Shannon Kozeny, Vivien’s mom. Her condition was discovered at the newborn’s one-month checkup, when her pediatrician heard something odd. “He was associated with Cardinal Glennon and recommended Dr. J.,” Kozeny says. “We instantly fell in love with the hospital and the nurses, and Dr. J. especially. He’s like a family member to us now.”
When Vivien was 4, doctors attempted to patch the hole, which caused her issues to worsen. “At that point, Vivien spiraled a bit; her resting heart rate was in the 170s, which is insane,” Kozeny says. The doctors tried to correct the rhythm issues with medication. But that didn’t work either, so in 2012, the youngster underwent two cardiac ablations and open heart surgery to remove the patch and replace it with a membrane. “Dr. Burt Bromberg, who does cardiac ablations with Dr. J., said ‘I want to go in again and I’m not coming out until it’s fixed,’” Kozeny recalls. “Dr. J. talked to people all over the world about Vivien, trying to find alternatives. They were making every effort they could not to have to open her up. They don’t give up easily.”
The surgery took two hours longer than predicted, but it was a success. This summer, for the first time in her life, Vivien learned that she is 100 percent healed. Cardinal Glennon made the 10-year-long experience easier, she says. “The doctors and nurses are great; they’re fun and loving and care about me a lot,” Vivien says. “Dr. J. has always been really nice to me, and he saved my life.” It’s not just doctors and nurses Vivien now counts among her friends. Also on that list is former Cardinals player David Freese, who first met Vivien on a visit to the hospital. “David is always nice to me no matter what happens, and we’re good friends,” Vivien says. The pair immediately hit it off, her mother says. “They tweet each other and text sometimes, and he’s bought Girl Scout cookies from her.”
Although the Kozenys have developed close relationships with the Cardinal Glennon team over the years, they’re relieved to be limiting their visits to annual checkups. “I can’t thank them enough for everything they do,” Kozeny says. “After the surgery, Vivien was able to act like a normal kid. She said, ‘I’ve never felt this good.’ To hear that was amazing.”
Pictured: Vivien Kozeny with Dr. Saadeh Al-Jureidini
Photo courtesy of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation