For every expectant parent, the 20-week ultrasound is always a milestone moment. Known as the anatomy scan, it not only allows doctors to check for proper growth and development, it also gives parents their clearest glimpse yet of their little one. It’s a time to marvel at tiny fingers and toes, see the baby’s movements in real-time and, for many, discover the baby’s gender.
For Matt and Kris Ferderer of Mandan, their 20-week ultrasound couldn’t come fast enough. They were already parents to a little boy, Leo, and they were excited to learn more about the new baby they would welcome soon.
But at the appointment, their excitement quickly turned to fear and devastation after the ultrasound revealed unimaginable news: their unborn daughter had a rare heart defect and would need a heart transplant soon after birth.
It was the beginning of a long and complex health journey. But thanks to Sanford Children’s in Bismarck, the family would soon find the care and support they needed to navigate the road ahead.
Welcoming Elliott
Two months after their baby girl, Elliott, was born, she received a heart transplant at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. After the 10-hour-long surgery, the Ferderers were hopeful the worst was behind them.
Little did they know that even more difficult challenges were ahead.
“The day she received the heart transplant, there were some complications,” Kris said in an earlier interview. “She ended up having a stroke, which caused her to have right sided cerebral palsy.”
It was another layer of heartbreak for a family — and a little girl — that had already been through so much.
After nine months in Minneapolis for ongoing care and monitoring, Elliott was finally able to return to Mandan to begin the next chapter in her journey.
Setting Goals, Making Progress
After returning home to Mandan, Elliott began seeing Dr. Vanessa Nelson, a pediatrician for Sanford Children’s in Bismarck.
“Dr. Nelson knew Elliott’s background and had collaborated with her care teams in Minneapolis, so she was fully aware of where she was and what she needed,” Kris said. “That was really reassuring. She understands her unique situation and always goes the extra mile for her. That’s such a relief for us.”
Elliott also began therapy to develop and improve her skills. Today she continues to rely on Sanford Children’s for speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, as well as immune-suppressing care and medication to prevent the rejection of her new heart.
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Her therapists are amazing. We’re so lucky. They love her and they’re so great with her. They’ve been a big part of her progress and her ability to move forward. We weren’t sure she’d ever be able to walk on her own, but now she is. We weren’t sure she’d be able to eat without a feeding tube, but now she is. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen so much progress thanks to her therapists at Sanford Children’s.
Elliott’s mom
Looking Ahead
Today Elliott is a happy 4-year-old who loves books, playing “tag,” and watching her favorite Disney movie, “Moana.” She’s also growing stronger and reaching new milestones every day.
“Now we just keep looking forward to the next goals. Her therapists are really great about setting new goals and detailing things we can do to help her achieve them,” Kris said.
Paying Kindness Forward
Today, as the 2025 Children’s Ambassador for Sanford Children’s Hospital in Bismarck, Elliott and her family are sharing their story of hope and resilience to help raise awareness and inspire support.
“Sanford Children’s has been amazing. Her team has listened to us, comforted us and answered questions that sometimes we’re even too scared to ask,” Kris said. “As a parent, that’s so great. Everyone at Sanford Children’s knows her story, and they want to be supportive in any way they can.”
Matt agreed.
“She wouldn’t be where she is today without her therapists, and we couldn’t ask for a better primary care doctor,” he said.
“If sharing Elliott’s story can help more local kids get the care they need, that would be amazing,” Kris said.
Give for Children. Give for Good.
Each year, thousands of kids from across central and western North Dakota — and beyond — turn to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Bismarck for extra or unexpected care, close to home. But many more are waiting for hope.
As the region’s largest, nonprofit children’s hospital, it takes all of us to give every child the hopeful, healthy future they deserve.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to join our work to further transform pediatric health care for our region, we invite you to Give for Good today. 100% of your gift through the Sanford Health Foundation will help advance world-class pediatric care and specialty programs to surround local kids, like Elliott, with everything they need to thrive.