The Switch-A-Reuben, the Deli’s sandwich of the month for April, was created to honor the pediatric cardiothoracic team at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Zingerman’s has a special connection to Mott – several of Zingerman’s own have been cared for and healed by Mott’s world-class team.

Aubrey Thomason, managing partner of Zingerman’s Creamery, and Hannah Metler, a Zingerman’s alum, both have children who have benefitted from the care provided by Mott.

Zingerman’s Little Victors
At just 10 days old, Aubrey’s son Shepherd underwent a successful arterial switch heart procedure at Mott after he experienced congestive heart failure at five days old due to a congenital heart condition.

“We are so lucky to have such an incredible hospital so close to home,” Aubrey Thomason said. “There are some states with five pediatric surgeons in the entire state and here in Ann Arbor we have world-class pediatric care in our backyard. It’s amazing that surgeries like Shepherd’s are routine to Mott’s staff.”

Today, Shepherd has a scar from his stay at Mott along with the stories his family has told him about his surgery and the friends his family made during their time at Mott.

Hannah’s daughter Simone has undergone successful heart surgeries under the care of Mott’s staff due to a complex congenital heart disease: tricuspid atresia, de-transposition of the great arteries, large VSD and coarctation of the aorta. Hannah said her family found a community of lifelong friends including nurses, doctors and other patient families at Mott, which throughout their experiences caring for their daughter, now feels like a home away from home.

“Becoming a mom and a heart mom is an experience that has forever changed me. Simone is a miracle. She is a warrior, my hero,” Hannah Metler said. “This isn’t the end of Simone’s story as we have her third surgery looming in the distance, but for now, we will be loving on this little lady.”

April’s Switch-A-Reuben
The Deli’s April sandwich of the month, the Switch-A-Reuben, features pastrami, pimento cheese, honeycup mustard, red onion, and sliced old pickles on grilled Sesame Semolina bread from Zingerman’s Bakehouse.

Thank you to Mott’s caring staff for all you do!