The Heart That Came Back to Heal Others
For Kristen Taylor, graduation from the University of Virginia is more than a college milestone. It represents the completion of a remarkable full-circle journey that began long before she ever stepped into a classroom.
This Saturday, Kristen will walk across the stage to receive her degree in cognitive science with a minor in studio art. But years before she became a student, the university played an even more important role in her life—it helped save it.
At just 14 months old, Kristen was diagnosed with a serious heart condition after doctors detected a heart murmur during a routine wellness visit. Her family was referred to UVA Health Children’s, where she underwent surgery that would change the course of her life.
“I was diagnosed with pulmonary stenosis, where my heart valves were just too tight that they restricted blood flow to the lungs,” she said.
The experience left a lasting impression on both Kristen and her mother, Chizoro Taylor.
“She received such great care that the institution left such a lasting impression on me,” said Chizoro, who is now the director of neuroscience and oncology, as well as a physician associate, at UVA Health. “(It’s funny that), as a military brat, she followed me a good portion of her life, but now I kind of followed her to UVA.”
Today, mother and daughter are celebrating a rare achievement together. While Kristen earns her undergraduate degree, Chizoro is graduating with a doctorate in translational health science from George Washington University.
“Transitional health science is basically taking research from the lab to the bedside,” she said. “A lot of research that happens in a lab is not being translated to patient populations.”
Their educational journeys may be different, but they have fueled one another every step of the way.
“I think we are reciprocal motivators, because I feel like I chose my path because of how hard my mom works,” Kristen said.
Inspired by the care she received as a child, Kristen is now pursuing a career in medicine. A pre-med student, she is completing medical school applications and hopes to become a pediatric cardiologist. In a touching twist, she dreams of following in the footsteps of Dr. G. Paul Matherne, the physician who treated her years ago.
Her college years have been filled with leadership and service. Kristen served as secretary of the Daniel Hale Williams Pre-Health Honor Society and contributed to research through UVA’s Early Development Lab.
“We’ve been interviewing kids about their mood and looking at how music and different stimuli can influence a child’s social behavior,” she said.
Like many aspiring physicians, Kristen has faced moments of uncertainty along the way.
“Any pre-medicine student will tell you this path is full of constant existential crises of ‘Is this worth it?’ Throughout my journey at UVA, I’ve had to remind myself that this is my calling and what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid watching ‘Doc McStuffins,’” she said.
Yet her ambitions extend beyond medicine.
As a studio art minor, Kristen has explored themes of cultural identity, care, and community through sculpture and visual art. Her final project, examining society’s relationship to Black hair and culture, was selected for “Where Memory Lives,” a public art installation on display at Ruffin Hall.
Balancing science and creativity, research and service, Kristen represents a new generation of healthcare professionals who understand that healing involves more than medicine alone.
Outside the classroom, she works as a pharmacy technician, helping patients understand their medications and supporting everyday healthcare needs. After graduation, she plans to enjoy some well-earned travel adventures, including trips to Puerto Rico, California, and Belgium, while continuing the medical school application process.
For Kristen Taylor, the future is bright. The hospital that once cared for her inspired a dream. That dream became a purpose. And now, as she graduates from the very institution that helped save her life, she stands ready to dedicate her own life to helping others.
Some journeys come full circle. Kristen’s journey is becoming something even greater—a cycle of care, inspiration, and service that will continue for generations to come.
SNS Comments
- A future pediatric cardiologist who was once a pediatric heart patient—what an amazing story.
- Congratulations to both mother and daughter! Two graduations in one family are incredible.
- The combination of science, medicine, and art makes Kristen’s journey uniquely inspiring.
- Stories like this give hope to families facing difficult medical diagnoses.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/a4fG4HqGJvo?si=7Mtx3wst9hkR90Vl
- https://news.virginia.edu/content/childhood-heart-surgery-and-her-mothers-career-inspired-graduates-path
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://aistudio.google.com/
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