Breakthroughs
RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL � 2025
Unfortunately, it wasn’t getting better . . . or going away.
In September of 2022, Susan was working as administrative assistant to the head of school at a college-preparatory institution. She was excited that another new academic year was underway, but the simple daily ascent of the stairs began testing Susan in ways it never had before—and she was failing.
“It was only 14 steps and an elevation of nine feet,” she recalls. “I used to get out of breath for a few seconds at the top and have to sort of pause and gather myself. But then the seconds turned into minutes, and I knew something was wrong.”
By December of that year, Susan was at a point where she couldn’t catch her breath and ended up in the emergency department at Rhode Island Hospital. There, it was discovered she had multiple pulmonary embolisms, or blood clots, blocking the arteries in her lungs.
A concerning discovery
To combat this, she was put on anticoagulants to prevent new clots from forming and stop the existing ones from getting bigger. That treatment plan worked, initially, but Susan’s follow-up three months later unearthed a concerning discovery.
In March of 2023, Susan came under the care of Christopher J. Mullin, MD, at Rhode Island Hospital. In reviewing her chart and history, Dr. Mullin suspected the presence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
“The level of concern and compassion Rhode Island Hospital care team showed me was absolutely wonderful. It’s a remarkable gift they all have.”
—Susan Anderson
A rare and potentially fatal disease, CTEPH occurs when undissolved blood clots in the lungs cause scar tissue to form, which narrows arteries, obstructs blood flow, and increases pressure within the pulmonary vessels.
Diagnostic testing, which included a right-heart catheterization and pulmonary angiography, confirmed Dr. Mullin’s intuition. It was determined that Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) would be Susan’s best treatment option.
BPA is a minimally invasive procedure where catheters with balloons are inserted into a patient’s pulmonary arteries and the balloons are inflated to open blockages, which improves blood flow and reduces pulmonary artery pressure.
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Susan Anderson (right) with her sister, Audrey, at the top of Diamond Head in Hawaii.
Prior to Susan’s case, patients diagnosed with CTEPH and recommended BPA would need to be referred elsewhere for treatment, as Rhode Island Hospital did not have the capability to perform the procedure. But that changed after a multidisciplinary team of specialists from Brown University Health’s Center for Advanced Lung Care (CALC) developed expertise in BPA, which included participating in immersive training and education at the University of Michigan in 2023. As a result, Rhode Island Hospital became, and remains, the only facility in the state, and among just a handful nationwide, to perform the complex procedure—and Susan was its first-ever patient.
“Susan was the perfect patient candidate,” explains interventional cardiologist, Jinnette Dawn Abbott, MD. “She was on the healthier side, her blockages were approachable, and while her pulmonary pressures were abnormal, they weren’t so high that hemorrhages in the lungs were an exceedingly high risk. So, as long as she was willing, we were ready to go.” Dr. Abbott performed Susan’s BPA with interventional radiologist, Sun Ho Ahn, MD.
BPA is typically performed in multiple sessions, and the team performed four separate procedures on Susan, each lasting about three hours, with several weeks of recovery in between. By January of 2024, she had completed her treatment. “I started feeling better almost immediately,” says Susan, a Cranston resident, whose road to good health was a short drive too.
Care close to home enables travel far away
“Being able to provide world-class care close to home is a great asset for our community,” explains Dr. Mullin, who serves as Director of CALC’s CTEPH Program and Associate Director of its Pulmonary Hypertension Center. “Patients, like Susan, no longer have to travel to get the advanced pulmonary vascular treatments they need because it’s right here, which enables more integrated patient experiences and better outcomes.”
Ironically, Susan’s close care has led her to some distant traveling. She retired recently, and has made trips to Hawaii, London, and Cambodia. “None of these trips were possible before the surgery,” Susan says. “Healthwise, I wasn’t cleared to fly anywhere.”
Serendipitously, Dr. Mullin had a picture in his office of him and his wife at the top of Diamond Head, an iconic, elevated volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. When Susan visited, she did the same hike with her sister, Audrey, and sent Dr. Mullin a picture at the summit. “That was a special connection moment,” Dr. Mullin says, “and it felt really cool to know that, by treating her CTEPH, we helped Susan be able to experience things like that.”
Ever grateful, Susan says, “the word angels come to mind” when she reflects on her Rhode Island Hospital care team. “The level of concern and compassion they showed me was absolutely wonderful. It’s a remarkable gift they all have.”
Leave a Lasting Legacy
Including Rhode Island Hospital in your estate plans with a bequest is a meaningful way to positively impact future generations of our patients and their families. The hospital was founded in 1863 thanks to a bequest, and these special gifts continue to allow our caregivers to provide the very best in care to everyone in our community.
With the help of an attorney, you can add a bequest to the hospital in your will or trust. You can also name us as a beneficiary of a 401(k), IRA, life insurance policy, or donor advised fund, and this can often be done in a matter of minutes by contacting the financial institution holding your account. No matter how you choose to remember Rhode Island Hospital, a gift of any amount will be greatly appreciated and can be directed to support a specific area or the greatest needs of the hospital.
For more information visit us at brownhealth.org/RIHLegacy or contact Chris Josephson, Senior Philanthropy Officer, at 401-444-6412 or email chris.josephson@brownhealth.org.
Lobby Renovations Complete
Rhode Island Hospital recently celebrated the opening of its renovated lobby. The project, which transforms the hospital’s “front door,” was funded entirely by philanthropy and spearheaded by a leadership gift from longtime supporters, John and Tricia Ferreira, for whom the new space is named.
“This is our opportunity to give back to Rhode Island Hospital for being there 24/7 for our family and for our community,” says John, whose support of the hospital dates back nearly four decades. “Rhode Island Hospital is the cornerstone of healthcare in our state and an invaluable resource for all who live here.”
The modernization of one of Rhode Island Hospital’s most integral and functional areas brings improved services, better amenities, and an enhanced welcoming experience to patients and their families. Among the changes are a new guest services lounge and restrooms, private conference rooms, relocated information desk, enhanced lighting, additional seating areas, a new climate comfort system, and renovated physicians’ lounge.
The changes, which were shaped by community and staff feedback, will improve visitor flow, efficiency, and accessibility while fostering an environment that augments comfort, privacy, and navigation.
“This project would not be possible without the extraordinary support of the Ferreiras and other caring donors,” adds Sarah Frost, Chief of Hospital Operations, Brown University Health, and President of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s. “They all saw the vision and value in this undertaking and understood that their investment in our lobby was truly an investment in the health and well-being of our community.”
L-R: John Ferreira, Sarah Frost, Tricia Ferreira, Lawrence A. Aubin, and John Fernandez
The Pressure Was On—and Sharon’s Care Team Responded
When someone’s blood pressure is too high or too low, it can adversely impact their health and well-being. But imagine if the same person’s BP was both too high and too low? Such was the case with Sharon Kilday, whose dangerous blood pressure spikes and crashes landed her in the Rhode Island Hospital emergency room.
With a family history of heart disease—her brother and father died young from cardiovascular issues—Sharon, who’s on a statin herself, is mindful about regularly checking her BP. One evening last November, it was alarmingly high: 220/150.
“That freaked me out,” she admits, reflecting back. “So, my husband Joe called the rescue, and they took me in.”
Upon arrival, Sharon, who felt lightheaded and dizzy, was administered a battery of tests while staff investigated potential reasons for her fluctuating blood pressure levels. Solving that mystery was something her experienced care team would need to do quickly.
“Sharon was in hypertensive crisis and required prompt treatment to prevent serious complications,” says nephrologist Matthew Lynch, MD. “The sudden, severe increase in blood pressure she experienced could have led
“The caregivers at Rhode Island Hospital don’t get enough accolades. Everyone is so kind, capable, and compassionate. They’re the best!”
—Sharon Kilday
Breakthroughs, a publication of the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation, is published for the friends and supporters of Rhode Island Hospital. For more information, please contact the Development Office at 401-444-6311.
to a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening health problems.”
Advance testing indicated Sharon had hyperaldosteronism, a condition where the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure. Nephrologist Mary Anne Gaffney, MD, ordered a CAT scan, which ruled out a tumor as the cause of Sharon’s adrenal abnormalities. The focus then shifted to a review of her meds.
“The way we practice, we make sure the patient is involved in their own care,” Dr. Lynch says. “That culture is not common in all hospitals, but it helps us ensure the right diagnosis.”
From conversations with Sharon, doctors determined the interaction of an arthritis drug and daily baby aspirin was the culprit—even though Sharon had taken the combination for a long time without incident.
After two days inpatient, Sharon was discharged and back on the road to good health. “The caregivers at Rhode Island Hospital don’t get enough accolades,” Sharon concludes. “Everyone is so kind, capable, and compassionate. They’re the best!”
Sharon and Joe Kilday
