Haley Fuller, B.S, M.Ed, CHES

Haley’s journey as a mother of a heart warrior (someone born with a congenital heart disease) began in February 2022. After a COVID infection at 36 weeks of pregnancy, Haley’s OB suggested a visit to a high-risk Maternal Fetal Medicine provider upon recovery to ensure placental and fetal health. It was at this visit, at 36 weeks and 4 days, that Haley found out that her unborn child had a critical heart defect – one that had gone undetected by various earlier screening ultrasounds, 36 weeks of prenatal care, and all other dopplers and auscultations.

Time was of the essence, so the Fullers moved to Philadelphia overnight where they were cared for by fetal surgeons and high-risk OB’s until Haley’s delivery at 38 weeks. Rory Fuller was born clinging to life, but thankfully, in a facility that was well-prepared to provide the specialized care he needed. On day 3 of life, Rory had open heart surgery to resolve a critical heart defect (d-TGA) and spent weeks in the hospital recovering. Rory is now a thriving heart warrior and managing the lifelong effects of congenital heart disease.

This nearly missed diagnosis – of a critical, anatomical, visible heart defect – could have led to an inappropriate delivery plan and/or a delay in care after birth, potentially costing Rory his life. All standard screening measures failed to detect this anatomical anomaly, and it was only for a whim (post-COVID-19 ultrasound) that Rory was diagnosed prenatally. Haley has made it her mission to spread Rory’s story, sharing the nearly missed diagnosis and its impact on her trust in the medical field and experience as a patient and caregiver.

On top of being a mother, Haley is a strategic communications consultant. Her past work includes various roles in healthcare, including patient experience, patient education, and insurance navigation and enrollment. Haley holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia, a Master of Education from Pennsylvania State University, and a Certified Health Education Specialist certification from NCHEC.