Little Dynamo

Three-year-old Megan Tuohy was diagnosed witih complete heart block before she was even born, caused by a very rare familial genetic condition that affected both her older brothers, Jack Tuohy and Mike Tuohy, who have both had pacemakers since age five. All three Tuohy children were featured in St. Jude Medical's 2005 annual report.

After birth, Megan was closely monitored through echocardiograms, ultrasounds, and Holter monitors. Over time, Megan's parents, Kathy and Michael, noticed that she tired more easily, was less interested in eating, was irritable, and had less energy for playing. Those symptoms, along with her slow heart rate, led doctors to recommend a pacemaker implantation for Megan in July 2003.

After receiving the St. Jude Medical Identity® DR pacemaker, the world's smallest dual chamber pacemaker, Megan improved within weeks. According to her parents, she became a little dynamo. "She is our little angel," they will tell you. Megan had a growth spurt and began eating well. Her parents shared that she became more energetic and healthy after the procedure.

Now five-years-old (in the photo above), Megan, who was featured on St. Jude Medical's 2003 annual report cover and with her brothers in the 2005 annual report, is a lively, talkative kindergartner who loves to dance, read, and play with friends.