The Power of Hope

North Texas family finds hope after son is diagnosed with rare, life-threatening fetal condition

What began as a routine 20-week ultrasound quickly turned into a life-altering moment for Melanie and Andy Allen. Their unborn son, Link, was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). CDH is a rare condition in which a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, limiting the unborn baby’s lung development.

In Link’s case, the diagnosis was severe. Link’s parents had been told that the entire left side of their son's diaphragm was missing, which caused his stomach and other organs to shift into his chest, pushing his heart and lungs aside. The family’s local care team informed them that even with surgery, Link’s chances of survival were only 50-50.

Determined to explore every possible option, the Allens searched for a medical center with deep experience in treating complex fetal conditions. That search led them to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, home to a nationally recognized program for CDH and other high-risk fetal diagnoses.

$Children\u2019s Memorial Hermann Hospital$

Photo courtesy of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital

Meet Link Allen

The CDH program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital takes a multidisciplinary approach for both prenatal and postnatal care and treatment, with affiliated UTHealth Houston physicians delivering highly specialized fetal care at The Fetal Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The Fetal Center is recognized nationally as a leader in fetal care and interventions for infants with complex issues. For care and treatment after delivery and beyond, the affiliated pediatric surgery team provides specialized CDH postnatal surgery, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) management and follow-up care.

Melanie’s doctor referred the couple to Matthew Harting, MD, associate professor of Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and an affiliated pediatric surgeon at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Andy recalled his surprise and gratitude when Dr. Harting personally called his cell phone the same day he submitted an online inquiry. This direct and accessible approach helped persuade the family to travel to Houston.

Soon after, Andy and Melanie met with the multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Harting and Anthony Johnson, DO, professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UTHealth Houston and co-director of The Fetal Center. Together, they outlined a coordinated care plan for Melanie and Link. Among the options discussed was fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO), an advanced prenatal procedure to help stimulate lung growth in utero.

Given the complexity of Link’s condition, the team planned carefully. Dr. Johnson explained that due to how underdeveloped Link’s lungs were, they anticipated he would face significant respiratory challenges immediately after birth and would likely require ECMO, a form of heart-lung life support.

Andy admitted the family was initially hesitant about the FETO procedure. They were mindful of the risks, which the doctors explained thoroughly. After careful consideration, the Allens decided to temporarily relocate to Houston for the procedure and the remainder of Melanie’s pregnancy.

When Melanie delivered at 36 weeks, the team was prepared. Link required immediate support, including ECMO, to allow his lungs time to function. Dr. Harting later performed a complex operation to reposition Link’s organs and reconstruct his diaphragm, a critical step in his recovery. Link then spent 63 days in the hospital’s Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), guided by a coordinated team of specialists.

Today, Link is a thriving, energetic toddler. For the Allens, the experience highlighted the importance of specialized, team-based care. Andy expressed his confidence in their decision, noting that the team was prepared for every contingency and knew exactly what to do at each turn, which gave them assurance that Link was in the best possible hands.

Learn more about congenital diaphragmatic hernia care at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital .

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finally!

$30 million, 100-acre new park rises in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood

Photo courtesy of Houston Parks Board

The Hill at Sims is finally open to the public.

After five years in development, the Hill at Sims park, greenway, and community space is finally open to the public. Helmed by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Hill at Sims will serve multiple functions to enhance accessibility to nature and walkable paths in South Houston.

“For too long, communities like Sunnyside — where I grew up — have gone without the parks and greenspaces they deserve. Hill at Sims changes that,” said Ellis. “At a time when working families face rising costs and shrinking public resources, investments like this matter. Safe, beautiful places to gather and enjoy time outdoors should not be luxuries reserved for the wealthiest neighborhoods.”

According to Ellis, the Hill at Sims is the first new park built in Sunnyside in half a century. It will formally open with a celebration on site at 9 am on Saturday, May 30. More information can be found at HoustonParksBoard.org.

First announced in 2021 during a Houston Parks Board meeting, the Hill at Sims project is a $30 million partnership between public and private funds that is representative of a new civil engineering philosophy in Houston. Spaces like the Hill at Sims are parks, stormwater detention structures, event pavilions, outdoor art galleries, and thoroughfares. The nearly five miles of dirt and paved trails are not just for evening walks and leisurely hikes; they connect into the larger Bayou Greenway Network designed to allow Houstonians alternative paths along the waterways to destinations like the Texas Medical Center and the sports district.

Beyond the connectivity, the Hill at Sims has several unique amenities that stand out even among Houston's rapidly innovating parks spaces. The Hill itself offers a breathtaking view of downtown and features several overlook spots for picnics and pictures. There are two different pavilions for performances or events, a fishable pier maintained by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and massive street art murals that were recently completed by both local and international artists.

Photo courtesy of Houston Parks Board

The Hill at Sims is finally open to the public.

“Hill at Sims reflects the kind of forward-thinking design Houston needs as we adapt to a changing climate,” said Justin Schultz, president and CEO of the Houston Parks Board. “Through strong public-private partnership and the leadership of Commissioner Ellis, we’ve transformed essential flood infrastructure into a resilient, nature-based park that expands access to greenspace, strengthens community connectivity, and turns a regional challenge into a lasting public benefit.”

Funding for the project was supplied by the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis as well as federal dollars secured by State Representative Dr. Alma Allen and Congressman Al Green. The Brown Foundation provided another $8 million in funding.

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