In September 2025, I went to see my primary care doctor about a sore knee. During a routine exam, she heard something unusual in my heart and referred me to a cardiologist.
After a series of tests during the fall, I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve with severe regurgitation. I will undergo open-heart surgery - the Ross Procedure - on April 1, 2026.
My cardiologist told me that my primary care doctor likely saved my life. Without that referral, my condition could have deteriorated significantly in the months ahead.
It feels especially meaningful that the organization I have proudly worked for since 2019, Brookfield, is a champion of the American Heart Association.
As an athlete, I'm sad I won't be able to run the Wall Street Walk/Run this year - but I will be walking. This time, I will walk as a survivor. I walk for those who didn't get a second chance, and for those who are still waiting for theirs.