The Fontan Outcomes Network is a community of patients, family members, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and supporters, dedicated to improving the quality of life and health outcomes for individuals with single ventricle circulation.

Each month, we feature a member of the community who exhibits heroic qualities in service of this mission as our #HeartHero.

Name: Jacob Critser

Care Center: Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford Children's Health

About Jacob: Jacob Critser is a 17-year-old with tricuspid atresia and pulmonary stenosis who had his Fontan procedure at age three.

One of the many impressive things about Jacob, according to his nominator, is his time and commitment to helping others with CHD through his mentoring work. Jacob is an active mentor at Camp Taylor in California, which he has been a part of since he was a toddler. Camp Taylor is a medically supervised camp for children with heart disease and their families.

Beyond his participation in Camp Taylor, Jacob gives back to the heart community in other ways, including helping his mother bring care packages, gift cards, and meals to other heart families in the hospital.

“Jacob has indeed matured into a thoughtful, caring, joyful young man looking forward to the challenges of life with good humor and resilience. He serves as an example to us all.”

— Dr. Stafford Grady Jr

This year sees Jacob making his transition into young adulthood. He is taking steps by obtaining his drivers’ license, graduating from high school, and attending college this fall where he plans to study engineering.

In his free time, Jacob enjoys the outdoors, traveling, spending time with his dog “Friday,” bike riding, technology, and staying connected with friends in and outside of the CHD community. Jacob is also a jokester and enjoys using his humor to cheer up others.

Jacob’s mother and others around him describe him as honest, helpful, loyal, curious, kind, and caring. Members of his care center team say he is a great example to other teens and young adults who face CHD.

“One of the joys of being a pediatric specialist is observing patients over a lifespan,” says cardiologist Dr. Stafford Grady Jr. “Jacob represents that for me.”

“While his doctor may not have been the favorite person of his two-year-old self, and his potty training was complicated by a brief but spectacular case of ‘potty mouth,’ Jacob has indeed matured into a thoughtful, caring, joyful young man looking forward to the challenges of life with good humor and resilience," Grady Jr. says. “He serves as an example to us all.”

Want to nominate your #HeartHero? Whether it’s a nurse, a patient, a physician, family member, or other, we encourage you to nominate your #HeartHero for the spotlight here.