Essentia’s Brooke Feltman awarded Golden Stethoscope after detailed observation led to rare diagnosis

Essentia Health's Brooke Feltman was recognized with a Golden Stethoscope award on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Feltman was nominated on behalf of patient Samantha Erickson's family.

To celebrate, Feltman's colleagues at the Essentia Health-South University Clinic hosted a surprise award presentation. Feltman's parents, her husband and the Erickson family were in attendance.

The Golden Stethoscope recognizes outstanding providers who go above and beyond while carrying out Essentia's mission and values every day.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," said Erickson, holding back tears, as she read through her nomination. "You may have played the biggest role in our life and didn't even know it."

In July 2023, the Erickson children — Tenley and Spencer — had a consult with Feltman. Feltman is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in otolaryngology, a medical specialty focused on the ears, nose and throat.

While screening Tenley, Feltman noticed she had a split uvula, the teardrop-shaped tissue at the back of the throat. 

Feltman suggested a precautionary cardiology appointment at Essentia Health-Fargo to ensure this wasn't related to anything more serious.

"Brooke helped coordinate the referral and get Tenley to the right place," explained Erickson. "This just meant so much to us because it went seamlessly, and we were able to get in."

It was quickly discovered that Tenley had an aortic root aneurysm, or an enlarged section of the aorta. The aortic root is where the aorta and the heart connect.

With these two discoveries, it was recommended that Tenley be tested for Loey-Dietz Syndrome — a genetic connective tissue disease that affects all the connective tissues, including joints and major blood vessels, in the body.

Tenley tested positive in August.

As a result, the whole Erickson family was tested for the gene, which led to positive results for Erickson's husband, Jesse, and their son, Spencer. The Erickson's baby, due by the end of December, will be tested at birth.

Tenley and Spencer now have regular scans and echocardiograms to monitor their condition. But it was Jesse who might have been impacted the most.

"My husband actually just had open heart surgery two weeks ago because of his aneurysm," said Erickson to a stunned Feltman. "With that disease, he needed to have an operation sooner rather than later."

Jesse also had three of his valves replaced and repaired.

"It's been really instrumental to our whole family because we like him and we want him around," she added lightheartedly. "And so, in a way, you started with Tenley, but it's just trickled to multiple other family members. We appreciate you and you are very deserving of this award."