The Cardiology Program at Elk Regional helps save lives. Here, you can read first-hand accounts of how we've done that for a local physician and a local paramedic.
You can also visit our Cardiology Services page and read more about the cardiac care services we offer (such as cardiac catheterization, cardiac rehabilitation, echocardiography, electrocardiograms, Holter monitors and stress tests).
When It Comes to Your Heart, You Deserve the Best
It was 1995 when Dr. James Hackett Jr. discovered the true value of world-class cardiac care.
Dr. Hackett spent 40 years as a physician and was on staff at Elk Regional Health Center until his retirement in 1998. For years, he referred patients to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa., a world-class facility with which Elk Regional established a clinical relationship in 2009.
And on that day in 1995 when Dr. Hackett learned he’d need bypass surgery, he didn’t hesitate to choose the best – UPMC Hamot.
“I always knew what a world-class facility Hamot was – and I found out first-hand when in 1995 after I had my bypass surgery,” Dr. Hackett said. “My surgery was performed by Dr. George D’Angelo, one of the best heart surgeons around. It was the best decision Ann and I ever made. And when I learned that Elk Regional and Hamot had begun a clinical relationship, I was proud of Elk Regional’s excellent choice. I deserve the best in cardiac care – and so do you. It’s your choice, so choose the best.”
Saving His Heart Meant Going the Extra Mile
Tom Tomaski, a paramedic with St. Marys Ambulance, has spent years facing cardiac situations in an emergency setting. Little did he expect the same would one day happen to him.
One day while at work, Tom – who was then just 50 years old – started to experience extreme fluctuations in his heart rhythm. As many health care providers often do, he checked his pulse, self-diagnosed and monitored his condition for awhile before taking himself to Elk Regional’s emergency department.
There, he spoke with Dr. Douglas Stern, D.O., who decided Tom needed to be transferred to the Heart Institute at UPMC Hamot.
Though it was nearly midnight by the time Tom arrived at the Heart Institute, he was greeted by Dr. Richard Petrella, an interventional cardiologist who took Tom’s complete medical and cardiac history, which included two previous catheterizations, two stent implants dating back to 2006, a back ache, headaches and congestive heart failure.
Before leaving Tom’s bedside, Dr. Petrella explained that Tom would have to undergo a heart catheterization the following morning and, pending the results of the study and a diagnosis, they would together create a treatment plan and course of action. Dr. Petrella gave Tom his telephone number and instructed him to call if he had any questions.
The next day, Tom underwent his third catheterization in four years. Following the study, Dr. Petrella told Tom that his congestive heart failure had been misdiagnosed all those years ago – a relief to Tom.
“When I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, I was afraid I didn’t have much time left,” Tom said. “I reviewed my life insurance policies, went to confession and lived my life as though I had one foot in the grave. When Dr. Petrella told me I had been misdiagnosed, I felt immense relief – as though a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt like I had my life back.”
Dr. Petrella told tom that the medications he had been taking for his congestive heart failure had caused the fluctuations in his heart rhythm and by eliminating most of his medication and changing others, he would begin to feel better immediately and his heart rhythm would stabilize. In the few hours Tom had spent at Hamot, he went from being afraid his life was slipping away to being on his way home with a new outlook on life.
“I can’t say enough about the care I received at Elk Regional and at Hamot,” Tom said. “I have the greatest respect for Dr. Stern and Dr. Petrella. Everyone who cared for me was wonderful. They treated me like family. I got the best care possible – and you will, too.”
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