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Written by: E. George
Published June 16, 2025 @ 5:30 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – A six-year-old Georgia girl once facing life-threatening heart disease is now thriving, four years after receiving a heart transplant that marked a significant milestone for one of the nation’s top pediatric cardiac programs.
Rynli Harris, who was adopted from China as an infant, became the 400th patient to receive a heart transplant at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2021. Born with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood, she spent several months in intensive care as doctors worked to stabilize her condition and prepare her for the lifesaving procedure.
Rynli’s early life in the U.S. began with a period of relative normalcy before her health began to decline rapidly. Her family, based in Dahlonega, Georgia, sought care at Children’s, where she was admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and placed on the transplant list. During her seven-month wait, she endured a series of complications, including infections, sepsis, a brain bleed, kidney failure, and respiratory challenges, but remained resilient.
Her transplant was performed on March 25, 2021, by the surgical team at the Children’s Heart Center, a nationally recognized program that has built a reputation for handling some of the most complex pediatric cardiac cases. The center is the largest of its kind in the Southeast and consistently ranks among the top five pediatric heart programs in the United States based on volume.
In the years since her surgery, Rynli has made steady progress. She has transitioned from intensive inpatient care to ongoing outpatient monitoring, supported by a network of pediatric cardiologists across Georgia. Rehabilitation and follow-up care have helped her regain physical strength, develop independence, and enjoy everyday childhood experiences.
Now a lively first-grader, Rynli continues to inspire those around her with her energy and enthusiasm. Her family notes the deeper significance of daily milestones, such as her recent celebration of losing her first tooth on Christmas Day, moments that once seemed out of reach.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has emphasized that each transplant represents not just a procedure but a commitment to long-term, holistic care. The program integrates surgery, rehabilitation, and family support, guided by a multidisciplinary team. It also honors the organ donors and families who make each transplant possible.
Rynli’s case exemplifies the mission of the Children’s Heart Center: providing critically ill children with access to advanced cardiac therapies, regardless of their background. As the program surpasses 400 transplants, stories like hers serve as a reminder of the resilience of young patients and the impact of specialized pediatric care.
Children’s continues to lead in both transplant volume and survival rates, offering hope to families across the region. With each new case, the team builds on decades of experience, ensuring that children like Rynli not only survive but have the opportunity to thrive.