It was Dr. Elkins and Dr. Lorenzo Gonzalez-Lavin (Deborah Heart-Lung Institute of New Jersey) who were the first, in the United States, to take up Dr. Ross's procedure in the late 1980's. 

If you want to understand how this procedure relates directly to Adam, my suggestion is to go first to the Pediatric Ross. Below I have given a brief explanation of what you will find under each section. 

• Introduction - Basic introduction to the causes that necessitate this critical procedure.
• History - Learn how Dr. Ross developed this procedure starting back in the 1960's and how it has developed through the present.
• Anatomy - We all know where the heart is, and most know the basic layout from school health classes. To understand Adam's condition and the procedure he underwent requires some additional knowledge of the heart. This also includes some detailed images that help.
• Pros & Cons - Adam's parents are all too familiar with this section but in reality it was the only choice. One of the disadvantages listed is "technically more demanding on the surgeons skills". Adam was in the hands of a doctor who had met this challenge time and again with a mortality success rate of 95.6%. It was, in fact, a "textbook" perfect surgery and the complications that set in afterward were not unexpected. The problem appears to have been it was greater than expected. 
• Patient Selection - Adam's doctors, here in Augusta, Georgia, did not just say "Let's send him to Oklahoma for this procedure.". Adam had to meet certain criteria and much study and consultation was required first. In fact, this operation had been in the planning stages for over a year. 
• Technique - This section gives you a brief overview of the procedure Adam went through, including images. These are only drawings, so no blood is involved for those who are squeamish. 
• Results - Long term survival, freedom from reoperation, stroke, anticoagulation, and the potential for growth of the aortic replacement (in children) are clearly superior to that which is offered by prosthetic valve replacements. Had it not been for the complications afterward, the operation itself would probably have meant Adam may never have required additional heart surgery ... or at least not for a long time. 
• Pediatric Ross - The procedure is a challenge all its own, but when it comes to children the operation takes on many more considerations.

Daisy and Tony faced those questions and emotions many times over what I felt right then, and continue to do so almost daily. Anyone who can take comfort in, right after losing a loved one ... especially a child ... "it was God's will" must be a candidate for sainthood. This is why you should never say things like that to someone else, no matter how well meaning ... because it just adds to the hurt, confusion ... and possibly anger that person is dealing with. Allow them to come to terms with their loss, in their own time. Express a simple "I'm sorry for your loss", and let them know you are there if needed. That's all that matters! It is not the time to express your beliefs!