Steve and Denise Cecak beamed with joy the day their infant daughter, Rylie, was born.

Within days, their joy turned to heartache when Rylie was diagnosed with a life-threatening liver disease called biliary atresia, in which the bile duct is either damaged or absent.

Fortunately, the Cecaks sought care from specialists at Children's Hospital of Iowa. As a temporary measure, a portion of Rylie's intestine was used to create a new bile duct.

She then became one of the smallest babies in the world to undergo a successful liver transplant. The complex, difficult procedure required 12 hours and the expertise of dozens of physicians and specialized support staff.

Today, Rylie's charming smile and pink cheeks underscore her remarkable recovery.

Rylie's heartwarming story is a testament to the expertise of the physicians, scientists, nurses, and other professional staff affiliated with University of Iowa Health Care.