A Tucson couple, Yulianna Cleto and Michael Flores, celebrate the life of their newborn daughter, Ramona, who has overcome significant health challenges thanks to advanced medical intervention. The family’s journey took a dramatic turn during a routine checkup when a 3D sonogram revealed a large mass on Ramona’s chest, threatening her life.
Dr. Kenneth Liechty, a pediatric and fetal surgeon at Banner’s Fetal Care Center at the Diamond Children’s Medical Center, performed surgery on Ramona while she was still in the womb. “The majority of the kids that we’re operating on are babies that, if we didn’t intervene, would die,” Dr. Liechty explained, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The couple’s joy turned to fear as they learned about the mass compressing Ramona’s heart, leading to heart failure.
The news was overwhelming for Cleto and Flores. “You meet this guy for the first time and he’s saying all of these big words that you don’t quite understand, but you just know it’s scary,” Flores recalled. Prior to Dr. Liechty’s arrival in Tucson three years ago, families facing such dire diagnoses had to travel to distant cities like Denver or Los Angeles for life-saving fetal surgeries, as Arizona lacked such specialized care.
A Miracle in Medical Care
At just one month old, Ramona has already undergone a second surgery, with plans for a third in the near future. To her family, she embodies resilience, named in honor of her grandmother, whose rosary remains close to her in her crib. Cleto holds Dr. Liechty in high regard, declaring, “He’s a miracle worker. He’s blessed by God.”
Dr. Liechty expressed optimism about Ramona’s future. He will continue to monitor her progress over the next year to ensure she meets her developmental milestones. “We’re not just doing something later in life that prolongs life a little bit,” he said. “We’re saving actually a whole lifetime by doing this early on.”
In an era where technological advances in medicine are reshaping patient outcomes, the work done at Banner’s Fetal Care Center is critical. With the only facility in Arizona providing comprehensive fetal interventions, the center represents hope for many families facing similar challenges. Cleto and Flores count their blessings every day, thankful for the medical expertise that has brought their daughter into the world against all odds.
