Staff Spotlight: Meet Jonette Jean-Louis

Jonette Jean-Louis is the program coordinator for the Midaortic Syndrome and Renovascular Hypertension Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Midaortic syndrome is a rare but serious condition in which the part of the aorta (the heart’s largest blood vessel) that runs through the chest and abdomen becomes narrow. This can lead to lower blood flow in the chest, abdomen and lower limbs. The center treats children with midaortic syndrome and a related condition, renovascular hypertension, and has pioneered two surgical procedures called MAGIC and TESLA.

What does your job involve?

I am usually the first point of contact for families and physicians seeking help in caring for their child or patient. I’ll complete a patient intake, gathering pertinent information and imaging to be presented at our center’s bi-weekly multidisciplinary conference. Our specialists, nurse, and I meet to discuss and review each case and formulate a treatment plan. I then reach out to the families to share our recommendations. If they agree, I help schedule their appointments at Boston Children’s.

What do you love most about your job?

I love meeting families and building everlasting friendships with our patients. Our patients are always the cutest and the families are amazing. When I first speak to them, they are terrified, anxious, and desperate — you can hear it their voices. Once they come for their initial visit, they are scared but very trusting of our team. They leave happy and always express their gratitude. They continuously send updates and pictures, which I hang on the walls in my office.

It also helps that I am a part of a great team. The nurse and physicians I work with are amazing.

Tell us something about you that might surprise us.

Not many people know this, but I’m a certified emergency medical technician (EMT). When I’m not at Boston Children’s, I’m working for a local ambulance company.

What three words would you use to describe your job?

Exciting, gratifying, unique

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

Growing up, I always wanted to be a prosecutor. I’m still thinking about pursuing that dream.

What music is on your phone right now?

Always Beyoncé. I’m a proud member of the “BeyHive”!

What was your favorite toy or game as a kid?

My favorite games as a kid were definitely Super Nintendo Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac-man.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

Definitely a lion. Lions symbolize many things: strength, nobility, leadership, pride, and respect. Plus, we have the same ROAR!

Learn about the Midaortic Syndrome and Renovascular Hypertension Center.