Ron thought he was suffering from simple indigestion.  Unfortunately, his problem was neither simple nor was it indigestion.  It was one of the often unrecognized symptoms of a heart attack.  An angiogram revealed coronary artery blockage – the recommended treatment was an immediate quintuple bypass.

During coronary bypass surgery, arteries or veins from elsewhere in the patient's body are grafted to the coronary arteries to bypass blockages and improve the blood supply to the heart muscle.  Ron’s surgery would bypass five coronary arteries!

Sandy knew exactly where to turn.  As a founding member of the St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees she knew the exciting things that were happening at St. Vincent.  Top doctors frequently spoke at board meetings.  One of those physicians was renowed cardiac surgeon Dr. Taro Yokoyama.    Sandy and Ron put their faith in St. Vincent and Ron put his heart in Dr. Yokoyama’s exceptionally skilled hands.

As Ron lay in intensive care following surgery, Sandy wanted to be with him every possible minute, but she could only see him for10 minutes every 2 hours.  She was able to spend the night after his surgery at Seton Guest Center – our guest lodging facility located on the Medical Center campus for relatives of patients from out of the area who want to remain close to their loved ones – a facility Sandy had helped raise the money to fund.

Ron came through the surgery with flying colors.  Eleven years after his surgery his grafts are holding beautifully.  Sandy believes, “It was providence that I happened to be on the board and knew where he could get the best care.”

“St. Vincent saved his life.  We owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid!”