Monica Sanford

By Magi Thomley Williams

Thirty-one years ago, Monica Sanford’s son was born with a severe congenital heart defect, requiring five heart surgeries before he was 10 years old. The event changed the trajectory of her life forever – from business to healthcare.

“I tell him that his life changed the purpose of my life and that he has saved so many patients through me,” said Sanford, who went to nursing school to learn how to take care of her son and is now an acute care nurse practitioner. “My healthcare advocacy stems from wanting every cardiac patient to be educated about their heart and have access to care.”

Now, her son Michael is a thriving, successful poet who sells his book “If My Heart Could Talk” on Amazon.

Sanford said one in 100 infants is born with congenital heart disease. That’s about 40,000 babies each year who will need lifelong healthcare management. Surgery is not a cure; they must be followed by a heart specialist at least every one to two years. Thanks to all the medical advancements in the last 50 years, these infants and children are thriving into adulthood. There are many minimally invasive strategies now, and even pre-procedural planning with 3D models and virtual reality – living with a “repaired” heart into adulthood is the norm not the exception. Now there are certified accredited congenital heart specialists and facilities throughout the country available for specialized care.

Sanford works closely with other champions of heart health, including

Inger Berg, local director of the American Heart Association, and Dr. Brent Videau, a cardiologist at Baptist Hospital.

“There are many social determinants of health, including transportation, insurance, geographic location and even race and sex disparities that we all fight to overcome to get these patients access to care,” she emphasized. “I am on the ACC Legislative Affairs Committee and have attended multiple ‘storm the hill’ opportunities in Florida and in D.C. to advocate for education, awareness and continued research and funding for heart disease. I have presented at local, state and national cardiology conferences and seminars teaching on blood pressure, cardiac and stroke awareness.”

As a nurse practitioner, she has served inpatient cardiology patients for almost 10 years and now works with patients at both Ascension Sacred Heart and Baptist Hospital. She also sees cardiology patients at the Health and Hope Clinic, providing access to care to the uninsured and the underserved.

“So many people during COVID lost their jobs and insurance,” she explains of the need at the clinic. “With a looming recession, some patients have to decide on food or medications. It is truly my honor to provide care.”

Sanford laments the lack of local surgical options for the youngest heart patients.

“I get calls or emails every week with a new baby being born with a heart defect requiring surgery. These patients and families must travel for the heart surgery to a large center. The nearest being about five hours by car,” she said, adding that important non-critical care resources are available locally. “I am a huge supporter of Ronald McDonald House, my family used it for my son’s first surgery.” Another local cause close to Sanford’s heart is Mended Little Hearts of Pensacola where she is the education director. This group depends on community financial support to send a Bravery Bag containing resources and support to families of children born with congenital heart defects.

To clear her head, Sanford hosts a podcast, “The Monica Sanford Show,” where she interviews local personalities about issues affecting Greater Pensacola. Sanford was born and raised in Houston until her family moved to Northwest Florida where she attended Crestview High School. Later, she lived in exciting places like Hawaii and Miami while following her husband’s military career. The family retired to Pensacola over a decade ago.

In addition to her son Michael, she is mother to Marciella, who will soon graduate with a law degree and who, like her mother, has an interest in advocacy. Sanford’s husband, David, is a retired Marine Lt. Col. who fully supports all her endeavors. Sanford will complete her doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University in April of 2023. She plans to pivot from healthcare to teaching so she can equip a new generation of heart care providers.