Scott's Care Journey: Fall 2023

September 2023 Dear friend, Every second is critical during a cardiac emergency.

For the Hart family, life stood still for 518,400 seconds.

Every moment throughout the first six days Scott was at Iowa Methodist Medical Center meant the difference between life and death.

Thankfully, you can be there.

It started like any other day. Scott took his dog, Bailey, for a morning walk around his neighborhood. Halfway through the walk, Scott started to feel a pain in his chest. Within minutes of calling for help, Scott was rushed by ambulance to Iowa Methodist. He was only 47 years old and had suffered a heart attack.

When you give to Iowa Methodist, Iowa Lutheran and Methodist West Hospitals, you bring comfort, state-of-the-art equipment, the latest in education and specialized care to patients and families receiving life-saving treatment. Your support makes a big difference.

The cardiac team was prepared and waiting for Scott to arrive to begin care. The first hours were the most critical because Scott’s heart stopped beating for 46 minutes. His team of doctors and nurses revived him 35 times. They never gave up. Once stable, Scott’s medical team placed him on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, a doctor’s ‘Hail Mary,’ for two days before he finally woke up.

“When I opened my eyes for the first time, I was surrounded by an uplifting and supportive team of nurses and doctors,” says Scott. “I would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the EMS team, my cardiologist, the critical care unit and my physical therapist working together to get me back to being healthy.”

Donors are critical to providing the best outcomes for heart patients. When you donate, every dollar you give – 100% of it – goes directly back to patients, providing essential cardiac equipment that helps us implant pacemakers and defibrillators, administer therapeutic hypothermia (total body cooling) and repair heart valves. You also support our care teams through important research and education for new innovations in treatment.

Your gift today ensures the best technology is available to save lives – today, tomorrow and into the future.

After 11 days in the hospital, Scott was cleared to start cardiac rehabilitation. There, he found new ways to push himself and strengthen his heart through physical exercises, changing his eating habits, managing his stress and gaining a healthier mindset.

You give patients hope and healing throughout every step in their health journey.

“Please know your efforts do not go unnoticed,” says Scott. “Your gift fills in the gaps and lifts patients up in so many ways. I am so grateful for your generosity.”

Today Scott is back to living his life. He enjoys spending time with his wife, watching his daughter play in competitive sports and plays golf in his free time.

Your support will help our teams continue to be at the forefront of medicine and guarantee you, your loved ones and your community receive the best health care possible when you need it most.

This work cannot be done without you. I hope patients and their families like Scott can count on you with a gift today.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. Mulrooney, FACHE Chief Operating Officer UnityPoint Health – Des Moines P.S. State-of-the-art medicine and outstanding cardiac care depends on strong donor support like yours. 100% of your gift will directly impact patients – providing hope and healing when they need it most. Make a gift by scanning the QR code or fill out the enclosed response card and use the envelope provided. Thank you!

Donate online:

bit.ly/HEARTCARE2023