Carter Dean Rath was born with a defect in his abdominal wall known as gastroschisis. This condition can cause problems with a baby’s intestines, stomach and liver and requires special care from a team of experts. A team that Carter’s mom Maggie found right here in Richmond at CHoR.

Carter spent nine months in the neonatal intensive care unit and underwent surgery to correctly position his affected organs and surgically close the opening in his belly. Now an energetic soccer-and-baseball-loving 4-year-old, Carter continues to receive care and support from specialists at CHoR for issues related to his shortened small intestine, which is a result of the surgery to repair his birth defect.

Carter comes frequently for appointments and is one of many patients who will benefit from the family friendly coordinated care experience offered at CHoR’s new Children’s Pavilion. He expressed his joy about the new location in the photo for the article announcing the Pavilion’s opening in the 2016 TidBits Calendar and was also one of the special guests who helped us cut the ribbon at the ceremonial opening of the new Pavilionearlier this month (pictured far right in yellow).

Carter says he wants to be a train conductor when he grows up. Getting him a healthy start in life, and providing the support he needs to grow into a healthy young adult, is what CHoR is all about. Making the experience as easy for families as possible is an important aim of the new Pavilion. We think Carter will be a great conductor someday and we thank him for leading our efforts – with his adorable smile – to share the exciting news about the Pavilion!

Meet Carter – Fun Facts
Services at CHoR: NICU, gastroenterology and emergency medicine
For fun: Soccer, baseball, dinosaurs and trains
Fav foods: Broccoli and cheese
Wants to be: Conductor
Fav colors: Purple and blue
Fav CHoR memory: Finding out we wouldn’t have to go to feeding clinic

Editor’s Note: This “Meet our Calendar Kids” blog series highlights children featured in CHoR’s 2016 Tid*Bits calendar. We’d like to thank all patients, siblings and parents who participated this year. Join our mailing list to receive future issues of the Tid*Bits calendar and newsletters. We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Carter, our featured patient for March 2016.