Meet Our Heart Heroes

Russ doesn’t seem to fit the mold of a cardiac surgery patient. A member of the Harrisonburg police department, Russ is a former soldier and dedicated to physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. But a few years ago, he was diagnosed with a form of heart arrhythmia – his heart was not beating properly. This arrhythmia was actually beginning to cause heart failure. Open heart surgery at RMH was required to repair his heart.

Now, a few years later, Russ feels better than he did before his surgery and is back at work. What’s even more amazing—he was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean a mere 5 months after surgery!

Vallie, 81, found early fame as a child radio star, and was inducted into the Old Time Country and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in August 2008 along with her former husband, musician “Spike” Stroop.

In July 2009, Stroop came to RMH. “I came in for a stress test and I passed out on them,” she says. “They told me later it would have been too dangerous to do an interventional exam. If I had another episode, I wouldn’t have made it.”

She was admitted to RMH and underwent a triple coronary artery bypass graft due to coronary artery disease.

“I owe it all to the Lord, Dr. Marra, and the Lizottes.” To show her gratitude, Vallie May still takes desserts, like cherry pie, to the Cardiothoracic Surgery team.

A familiar face in Harrisonburg, Howard worked many years as a postal service mail carrier.

When Howard noticed that he occasionally had tightness in his chest and shortness of breath, he went in for a physical. His doctor recommended a stress test.

During the test, it was discovered that Howard had blockages. In July 2010, he had quadruple bypass surgery. “Now, I feel good! It’s behind me. Well, I still have to watch what I eat!”

Peggy, a former JMU professor, had an unexpected emergency. A visit to her physicians office convinced her doctor that she had a blood clot in her heart and was having a heart attack.

Taken straight to the RMH Heart and Vascular Center, Peggy received a balloon angioplasty. Afterward, she went through the RMH Cardiac Rehab program. “[The rehab team] was so kind, motivating and dedicated to each patient.”

Now recovered, Peggy has lost 20 pounds and is doing great.

Elkton resident Harry learned that his chest pains in December 2009 were serious. His doctor quickly sent him to the RMH Heart and Vascular Center where a cardiac catheterization showed multiple blockages requiring double-bypass surgery.

Harry has a long history of diabetes. Now, add kidney failure to his health problems. It did not look good. Two months later, fluid was building in his chest and Harry coded. “If I had been anywhere else I would not be alive. The heart team at RMH did not stop. They did not give up…they saved my life.”

Harry is fishing again and doing well. He and his wife Juanita have developed a personal relationship with their new ‘RMH heart team family.’

Sarah, 31, has dealt with episodes of a rapid heart beat since she was a little girl. “I remember being in my ballet recital and having to walk off stage because my heart was racing so fast.” Even though she only had two or three episodes a year, often triggered by caffeine or exercise, it was a nuisance she was ready to do without.

When electrophysiologist Dr. Robert VerNooy joined the RMH Heart and Vascular Center, Sarah knew it was time to move forward with a cardiac ablation, an elective procedure that would cure her of her Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), or rapid heart rate. “The Heart and Vascular Center team were so unbelievably kind. They treated me as if I were their daughter, sister or friend. I couldn’t have asked for a better patient experience.”

Staunton resident Donald has a history of health problems, including COPD and heart disease. His heart attack in 2009 brought him to the RMH Heart and Vascular Center when a closer area hospital was not prepared to handle his needs.

“I’m glad they did! My experience there was a lot better than experiences I’ve had elsewhere.”

Donald has now given instructions to his family and the local rescue squad to take him to RMH for any future care.

In 2006 when he was 39, Phillip had a heart attack and received three stents from the RMH Heart and Vascular team. “I felt like I was 18 again. I didn’t realize how bad I had felt until I felt that good.”

Fast forward to December 2009. Phillip started feeling tired and fatigued again and spoke with his physician, Dr. Gene Yoder, about going back to a cardiologist. A cardiac cath discovered that Phillip’s original stents were clogged and two new stents were immediately put in.

Phillip has only positive things to say about RMH Heart and Vascular Center. “It’s always a whirlwind, but the nurses and staff are very sincere. I know there’s more [patients] than just me there. . . .They’re worried about your comfort. That makes it good.”

The pain and shortness of breath Jerry felt was caused by a 99% blockage in his coronary artery. Jerry’s thankful that Dr. Marra and the team at RMH were close by – “All of a sudden, here I was with a 99% blockage. If it weren’t for RMH, I wouldn’t be here today.”

RMH has been rated #1 in the state for Coronary Interventions for the third year in a row by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company, for providing excellent care to patients like Jerry.

When Flo arrived at the RMH Emergency Room, she simply thought she had a bad virus. It turns out that her symptoms were masking severe coronary disease, and that she would need open-heart surgery.

Luckily for Flo and her family, she was able to receive treatment at RMH – including her open-heart surgery - without having to travel.

Flo and her family were extremely grateful for the high quality of care she received: “I would compare RMH’s heart services to anyone, anywhere!”

Donnie knew something was wrong when he woke with chest pains. He was airlifted to RMH, where Dr. Stuart Pollock and the RMH Heart Team stopped his heart attack.

A stent was inserted in one of Donnie’s arteries, making him able to undergo rehab and get back to his normal life: “If it wasn’t for RMH, I wouldn’t be here today.

They treated me like a king”. The excellent clinical care that was given to Donnie is just one of the reasons why RMH has been ranked #1 in Virginia for Coronary Interventions for the third year in a row by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company.

When Carole woke with chest pains, she never suspected heart trouble. At RMH, though, Dr. McLaughlin and the Heart Team performed a cardiac catheterization and an angiogram, which showed a 90% blockage in one of Carole’s arteries.

Carole will never forget the life-saving care she received after her diagnosis: “Dr. McLaughlin was wonderful – very aware that I wasn’t just a heart, I was a person.”

Today, Carole’s successful recovery and rehab reflect why RMH has been ranked #1 in Virginia for Coronary Interventions for the third year in a row by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company.

Johnny’s heart condition was severe – his blockages were almost total, and the heart attack made matters worse. Johnny was grateful that RMH was near to his Timberville home – “Knowing that RMH is so close, I could be there in minutes – that means a lot.

They took care of me like no one else could.” RMH has been rated #1 in the state for Coronary Interventions for the third year in a row by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company, for providing excellent care to patients like Johnny.