Patient Success Stories
Hear From Our Patients
Get inspired reading success stories from St. Elizabeth Healthcare heart and vascular patients in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Denise Reilley
Denise thought heart surgery would mean going somewhere far away. Instead, she chose to stay close to home with Dr. Mario Castillo-Sang. Advanced, minimally invasive heart care was right here – no second trip, no second guessing.
Tyler Fox
When a rare genetic heart condition threatened multiple members of the Fox family, early diagnosis, advanced cardiac surgery and preventive care changed the course of their lives. Read more to discover the role genetic testing and proactive treatments play in prevention, survival and hope.
John Erickson
After surviving a heart attack and discovering silent mitral valve damage, John Erickson became an unexpected part of medical history. By choosing a cutting‑edge, minimally invasive heart surgery, he transformed a personal health crisis into a powerful teaching moment.
Kenny Moore
When heart failure took almost everything from him, Kenny chose an LVAD to keep his own heart. Five years later, he’s living, building and planning for a future he once couldn’t imagine. His story shows what’s possible with advanced heart failure care and unwavering care.
Shawn Martin
While on a walk, Shawn Martin’s heart stopped for nearly 12 minutes, but his story didn’t end there. Thanks to quick CPR from his wife, decisive EMS care from a bystander and expert cardiology at St. Elizabeth, he walked out of the hospital after a recovery that defied all odds.
Kimberly Wells
Kim Wells never expected to face open heart surgery, but with the support of her St. Elizabeth care team and her own determination, she found healing and a new outlook on life. Her journey is a reminder to listen to your body and lean on your community during challenging times.
Patricia Wasson
Tricia was out to dinner with friends when a mini stroke changed everything. She soon learned she’d lived her whole life with a hidden heart condition. Thanks to the caring team at St. Elizabeth, Tricia faced surgery with confidence and now enjoys every day with new energy and peace of mind.
Barbara Dressman
Barbara had long dreamed of walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago. Just weeks before her departure, a rare cardiac tumor threatened to derail her plans. Thanks to expert care at St. Elizabeth, Barbara not only recovered but completed her journey.
DJ Roy
When radio host Roy Brown faced intense heart irregularities and a mini-stroke, the expert Heart & Vascular care team at St. Elizabeth stepped in with swift, specialized care. With advanced diagnostics and a collaborative approach, Roy found his rhythm again — on the air and in life.
David Klingenberg
After years of smoking began to impact his health and daily life, David turned to the Freedom from Smoking program at St. Elizabeth for support. With expert guidance and a strong support system, he broke free from addiction and reclaimed his health and sense of purpose.
Shelly Emrick
When a routine screening uncovered a serious blockage in Shelly Emrick’s carotid artery, the Heart & Vascular team at St. Elizabeth acted quickly with expert, coordinated care. Through timely surgery and a personalized approach, Shelly found a path forward, restoring her health and peace of mind.
Michael Long
At 67, Michael Long lives with the same heart disease that has touched generations of his family. When symptoms grew serious, he turned to the Advanced Heart Failure Management Center. With expert care and a personalized plan, Michael is finding strength — and hope — for the road ahead.
Rebecca Bohn
Rebecca Bohn never imagined how much she would value life’s simplest moments. After life-threatening breathing issues, she turned to
St. Elizabeth. With expert care and advanced treatment, Rebecca regained her independence — and a new appreciation for every breath.
Veronica Williams
Veronica Williams and her husband Sean will never forget their daughter Brooklynn’s birthday. When Brooklynn arrived early, Veronica faced a life-threatening heart issue. After days of symptoms, she went to the ER, where doctors acted quickly to stabilize her.
Dustin Clark
When Dustin Clark battled severe COVID-19 symptoms, his condition quickly became life-threatening. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, doctors acted fast — making him the first patient to receive ECMO, an advanced treatment that gave his lungs time to heal and helped save his life.
Rounding with Patients: LVAD
This inspiring episode of Rounding with Patients features the stories of Anita and John. Thanks to compassionate care from the experts at the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, they can look forward to many healthy years ahead.
Nicole Schadler
When sudden and unexplained symptoms led to a life-threatening cardiac event, Nicole turned to the Heart & Vascular team at St. Elizabeth for advanced, coordinated care. Through rapid intervention and expert support, she overcame the odds and returned to the life she loves.
Eric Callaway
A heart attack in his 20s and a family history led Eric to think he’d never see his 40th birthday. But he did, in the hospital, recovering from surgery to insert a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Teresa Cecil
Like many smokers, Teresa got hooked early in life. She smoked her first cigarette at age 12, back when it was the “cool” thing to do. Today, she is smoke free, and she will tell you it’s not easy.
Sally Leucht
After 50 years of smoking and growing health concerns, Sally found the motivation to quit with help from the care team at St. Elizabeth. Through early screening, expert guidance and a supportive program, she broke free from tobacco and began a healthier new chapter.
Gary Fabre
When Gary Fabre walked into his doctor’s appointment at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in July 2020, he assumed he was only catching up on routine primary care that had been delayed by the pandemic. He felt fine, so what he learned came as a big surprise.
Ken Foltz
When Ken Foltz found out he needed mitral valve repair, he figured he would need a traditional open-heart procedure and a long recovery.
Kelly Garrett
For Kelly Garrett, a diagnosis of breast cancer was frightening enough. Just when she thought she was beating it, she learned that she was experiencing heart failure as a result of her treatment. Then a heart specialist helped her beat that, too.
Mark Grigsby
Providers at the Advanced Heart Failure Management Center at St. Elizabeth were running out of time to help Mark Grigsby. Learn about the surprise outcome one nurse describes as “like winning the lottery 10 times over.”
Joyce Jacobs
Joyce felt she was healthy until a routine heart risk assessment indicated otherwise. Find out how getting preventive care saved her life.
Lee Johnson
After chest pain and normal tests, Lee Johnson trusted his gut — leading to life-saving heart surgery at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
Kenny Moore
Kenny Moore’s progressing heart failure was leading to failing health. An implanted mechanical heart pump allowed him to become more active yet keep his own heart.
Larry Myrick
For 41-year-old Maysville resident Larry Myrick, the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth has dramatically improved – and likely saved – his life.
Mike Quinn
As an athletic trainer, Mike Quinn is passionate about health, fitness and keeping people safe and injury-free. What is surprising is that his commitment to keeping kids safe ended up saving his own life.
Dale Randall
When he woke up with chest pain early on the morning of August 18, 2023, Dale sprang to action.
Winter Richards
Winter Richards thought she was suffering from allergies. When lab tests revealed a life-threatening heart issue, the 27-year-old was shocked.
David Szeremet
Endocarditis can happen to anyone. Just ask David Szeremet, who almost lost his life to the disease. Learn how St. Elizabeth Healthcare helped him heal.
Heather & Gary Wyland
Learn how a Kentucky woman’s quick action saved her husband’s life during a major heart attack – and how training made that response instinctual.
