Pediatric Cardiologist Brian Eble Talks Family, Medicine, and What’s on His Wish List
His kid-friendly and fun-loving demeanor make him a favorite with patients and families. When it comes to medical matters of the heart though, Dr. Brian Eble knows it’s no child’s play. It requires a great deal of empathy and knowledge. So what makes Dr. Eble’s ticker tick? He recently shared with Little Rock Family his heartfelt thoughts on his family, his pint-sized patients and the future of his field:
Family First
My wife, Amy and I met while she was an OB/GYN resident on labor and delivery and I was working in the nursery at UAMS. We were married in 2003 and have a 9-year-old daughter, Sophia Marie Eble. Now, Amy Wiedower-Eble is an OB/GYN at Central Clinic for Women at Baptist Hospital and I am a pediatric cardiologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
You’d think having trained in obstetrics and pediatrics we’d be really well prepared (for parenting), but our learning curve was probably steeper because we had to talk each other into common sense. Then Amy would double check everything I said with our pediatrician…who trained me.
The best advice we’ve received is that mom and dad are always on the same side. The most insightful advice was from my father-in-law who told me how to raise a daughter. He said, “When they crawl up on your lap and look up at you with big eyes, just give them anything they want.”
Finding time to just be a couple is challenging. We’d be toast without retired in-laws that live across the street and a wife who loves yearly planners. She’s a superwoman. She’s the most efficient woman I know. Sophia is the spitting image of my wife, personality and all. We stay connected and find common interests, even if that means playing Barbie sometimes.
Sophia drew a monster truck for one of my patients that he still has. She also goes with Amy sometimes when she is on call for delivery. Sophia’s perception of medicine right now is pretty entertaining. When describing to her class at school what her mommy does, she said, “Mommy goes to the hospital and makes babies. The way she does that is she counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 – PUSH!”
Dr. Eble’s Wishes & Inspirations
I chose the field of medicine, because I love physiology. It made sense, but I grew frustrated with older patients who wouldn’t change their lifestyle. Kids with heart disease have what I call plumbing and electricity problems that make sense to me. They almost always get better. I feel like this is the path God chose for me, prepared for me and put the right mentors in my life when I needed them.
There are three cardiologists I met early on who inspired me to do what I do: Paul Sieb, Eudice Fontenot and Michele Moss. The way they worked with families and practiced with passion impacted me. There’s a quote, “If I’ve ever accomplished something great, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants.” They are my giants.
Some days are really hard, but if I know where I’m supposed to be then I can find strength and comfort in that. It would be great if we could find a way to put me out of business, and prevent congenital heart disease from ever happening.
Everyone who comes to see me is worried about their child’s heart, whether they were a blue baby, they have a heart murmur, or experiencing chest pains in gym class. Parents are really anxious at first. It sends families into a tailspin. By the time we’re done though, they have the understanding of what to expect and it gives them peace.
We prepare them for what’s going to happen during surgery. I explain and reassure them. I let the child tell me what they want to know. I’ll say, “Once you are asleep, we’ll go through your breastbone to your heart and fix it.” I draw a picture of their heart and explain all about the plumbing and electrical and where the problem is. Kids respond well to pictures. Fathers want to know more details and usually ask more questions. Moms more often than not just want to know things are going to be okay.
Our wish is for children to not just live but to do well too, before and after surgery. We prepare the kids and family to get the support they need after surgery in order to succeed.
It also opens the door for me to teach about eating smart—lots of fruits, vegetables and lean meat. The Heart Association has good recipes on their website. The whole family has to take part for success: Don’t eat in front of the television—you’ll eat more calories of the exact same food to feel full; no more than 1 hour of screen time a day (school work doesn’t count); and, do 30 minutes of exercise that makes you short of breath three times a week.
I wish for all of the children I treat to be healthy, flourish and find what God has called them to do in life.
A Helpful Heart
I first volunteered with the American Heart Association to give the young ladies in the Sweethearts program tours of the hospital. The Sweethearts program is associated with the AHA Heart Ball. It involves the girls volunteering and receiving education and training.
I had low expectations going in because I reminded myself this is a bunch of 16-year-old girls. But, it was really enjoyable. They were all sitting on the edge of their seats and truly interested. That fueled me. I got involved with the AHA Executive Committee and Board to find out the nuts and bolts of things and how to raise funds and support.
Everything snowballed after that. I started to gain a better understanding about how organizations like the AHA start with grassroots efforts and individual contributions, and merge these together into an effort that truly impacts people’s lives. I want Sophia to grow up in a world where healthy behavior is the norm. And I want patients born with congenital heart disease to outlive their parents. That’s why I support the mission of the AHA, UAMS, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Save the Dates
Central Arkansas Heart Ball
Saturday, February 7, 2015
The largest black tie gala in Arkansas raises funds for life-saving cardiovascular and stroke research.
Hearts On Wheels
Saturday, April 25, 2015
FREE event for families affected by congenital heart defects.The day is for survivors to have fun and to help families build a strong support network.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Eble participates in the annual Hearts On Wheels event, has served on the American Heart Association Board in central Arkansas for years, and is the 2015-2017 Board President-Elect. He also continues his yearly work with the Sweethearts’ ACH tours.
Dr. Eble was key in the work for the passage of the Pulse Ox Test. Nearly 1 in 3 infants who die from birth defects has a heart defect. By using a test called the pulse oximetry, doctors can detect low oxygen levels in the blood which is a significant indicator of heart issues in babies. Pulse Ox testing was signed into law in Arkansas by Governor Mike Beebe in April 2013.