Every year, thousands of children around the world are born with heart defects that need complex surgeries and lifelong care. For their families, it’s a hard and emotional journey full of questions, fears, and hope for what lies ahead. In times like these, having a skilled, compassionate surgeon by their side can truly change everything. That’s where Dr. Luciana da Silva comes in. She is a cardiothoracic surgeon at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, who has dedicated her life to caring for children with serious heart conditions, especially a rare one called Ebstein’s anomaly. During her time practicing medicine, she continuously improves surgical approaches that can lead these children toward a full life expectancy. Her medical work extends past treatment to create opportunities for children while providing hope to families during difficult times.