Patient Stories

Betty Dudleston

Valve Replacement without Open-Heart Surgery

When 89-year-old Betty Dudleston found out she needed surgery to replace an aortic valve, she followed the advice she always gives to others: “Don’t let fear interfere with your health.” Thanks to a less-invasive procedure known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, she was able to return to her normal routine within days.

Larry Stack

Memorial Volunteer Experiences Great Heart Care

Larry Stack, 79, enjoyed an energetic lifestyle that included volunteering at Memorial Medical Center and attending his grandchildren’s activities. That changed just before Thanksgiving in 2016. Larry was at home with his wife, Judy, when suddenly he lost consciousness, and Judy dialed 911.

Erma Tester

Finding the Right Tools Helps Erma Regain Her Life

“Overwhelming” is how Erma Tester, 80, described the grief she experienced when Everett, her husband of 63 years, passed away in the fall of 2012. She cried for seven months straight and couldn’t sleep at night. Senior Life Solutions provided resources to help Erma manage the anxiety and depression.

Mindy Pearse

Nurse Navigator Leans on Personal Cancer Journey to Help Others

In her role as a nurse navigator at Memorial Medical Center, Mindy Pearse, BSN, RN, has guided many women through their battles with breast cancer. It’s a battle Pearse knows well. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, when she was a 30-year-old mom of two.

Malory Jefferson

Special Newborn Practices Focus on Health and Bonding

Passavant's leading-edge practices for newborns, including waiting to bathe and “rooming in”—a model in which babies remain alongside their mothers rather than staying in a nursery—promotes emotional and physical well-being.

Hunter

Meaningful Work and Independence through Community Employment Services

Memorial Behavioral Health provided intensive job coaching to help Hunter understand his job duties and created a structured routine so he could complete his tasks as efficiently as possible.

Kerri Barton

Jacksonville Weight-Loss Services Help Mom Lose 150+ Pounds

Kerri's father died from weight-related complications, and she was determined to be healthier for her children. In addition to her determination to make healthy choices, the Memorial Weight Loss & Wellness Center, including services close to home in Jacksonville, helped her lose more than 150 pounds.

Lois Wicks

Staying Active Key to Good Health

Wicks, 90, takes walking seriously. She started taking part in Walking for Wellness almost 17 years ago and tries to walk every day.

Melissa Dyson

Rehabilitation at Passavant Helps Melissa Overcome Complex Injury

A hand-crushing dog bite required 16 stitches at the Passavant Emergency Department and an orthopedic surgery to reattach a tendon and repair a joint. Rehabilitation at Passavant, and a strong relationship with staff close to home, helped her stay positive and regain grip strength and range of motion.

Steve King

Ortho Surgery at Passavant Gets Champion CrossFitter Back in the Game

He set his sights on the CrossFit Games, spending three to four hours in the gym each day. But that process came to a halt when he slide down the fire pole to respond to a call and felt a pop in his right knee. Despite his setback, six weeks later Steve was back on track to be a champion.