Patients of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center at USC University Hospital celebrated USC Night at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15. The patients took to the field for pre-game autographs then joined fans in the stadium for the rest of the game. All fans that night received a special USC-themed Dodger hat.

Lisa Reinstedt came out of the womb practically a member of the Trojan Family. Born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome – underdevelopment of the right side of the heart – Reinstedt has been treated by USC and affiliated physicians her whole life.

So when her doctor, Philip Chang, of the Keck School of Medicine, recently asked her to be part of a special group of patients representing USC at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium, Reinstedt jumped at the offer.

"I wanted to do something to give back," said Reinstedt, 33, who has undergone six different heart surgeries, including her most recent at USC University Hospital. "USC is the 'it' place for adult cardiology, so whatever little I can do to represent that, I will."

Reinstedt was one of eight patients representing USC University Hospitals' Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care Center on the field at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, USC Night.

The patients got to run out on the field before the evening game to get autographs from Dodger players. They were also recognized by Dodger announcers along with several USC cardiologists.

"It was awesome," said Rafael Artiga, who got an autograph from Dodgers first baseman James Loney. "I've only ever seen him on TV, so it was really cool to actually see him in person."

At only 19, Artiga has been operated on four times, including three open-heart surgeries. Two of his procedures were performed at USC University Hospital.

His story is similar to those of many other adult congenital heart disease patients who suffer from heart disease in infancy, childhood and eventually into adulthood.

"There was a time when a lot of these patients would not have survived," Chang said. "They are all great examples of what personal responsibility for health and working with your doctors can achieve."