Keith McIntire wins 2024 US Impact Award from CMNH

When Keith McIntire was born with a rare heart defect, he wasn’t expected to live past his first birthday. He was part of many firsts at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. At the age of eight he had one of the first heart catheterization, at the age of 16 he received the first porcine or pig-heart valve surgery as part of a research program that served him until he was 23, when he received the mechanical valve that he still has today. Between those surgeries he had the first black and white 2-dimensional Echocardiogram. Today, Keith is UPMC Children’s oldest living heart patient followed since birth.

Keith knows better than most the unique trials faced by kids born with congenital heart disease. That’s why in 1991, along with now retired cardiologist Dr. Bill Neches, Keith
co-founded the Dr. Bill Neches Heart Camp for Kids. Heart camp is held one week each summer at camp Kon-o-Kwee/Spencer in Pennsylvania, kids with congenital heart disease come together to spend time with other kids who are just like them, learning about their health and hearts. And maybe even more importantly, instilling a sense of camaraderie and confidence in themselves to try new things and know they are not alone.

For 33 years with the camp and 29 years as the director, Keith secured medical staff and volunteers to work the camp each summer, many of them former campers themselves, and created educational and fun programming for kids as well as being on the forefront of raising funds to support the camp each year. Keith has been an inspiration to thousands of kids over the years, and now a new generation will take over the camp as Keith has passed the torch to two longtime camp volunteers who also, both have congenital heart defects, extending his legacy for many years to come. 

We are honored to recognize Keith McIntire with this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Impact Award for exemplifying our vision to change kids’ health to change the future. Congratulations, Keith!