(VIDEO: Fernando Mendoza, M.D., medical director, Baptist Children’s Hospital Emergency Center and Johh Cavo, Harper’s father, discuss her remarkable recovery from a near-drowning)
Harper Cavo is like most 3-year-olds. She loves ballet, playtime and can’t wait to dress up for Halloween. But unlike most children her age, doctors say Harper is a living medical miracle. Harper was 16-months-old when she fell into her family pool and sank to the bottom. Her sister sprung into action and pulled her out of the water and her father performed CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) on little Harper. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported her to Baptist Children’s Hospital in critical condition with a weak pulse. Harper pulled through and made it out of the hospital just eight days later with no lasting effects from her accident.
On the two-year anniversary of Harper’s recovery, her parents wanted to come back to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for her. It was an emotional moment when Fernando Mendoza, M.D [1]., medical director, Baptist Children’s Hospital Emergency Center, Ricardo Queiro, M.D [2]., Pediatric Intensive Care physician, Baptist Children’s Hospital as well as Jamie Rhatigan, ARNP, Pediatric Intensive Care, Baptist Children’s Hospital, received special photo books from the Cavo family that celebrate Harper’s life over the past two years.