A RemARkAble
RecoveRy
Tom was transferred to
Morristown Medical Center,
another Atlantic Health System
hospital and a nationally
ranked cardiology program,
for continued monitoring
and critical care.
“The transfer was seamless,”
remarked Beverly. “Dr. Blitz
remained his cardiologist, which
was very reassuring.”
Thanks to the expertise of
Dr. Blitz, the full resources of
Chilton Medical Center, and
Atlantic Health System’s vast
network of advanced heart care,
Tom defied the odds by surviv-
ing two life-threatening cardiac
emergencies without suffering
any neurological injury or sig-
nificant heart muscle damage.
“I’m incredibly proud of the
Catheterization Lab and
Emergency Department staff
for their rapid response and
great care they provided as it is
moments like this where it mat-
ters most,” said Dina Tortorelli,
manager of Cardiovascular
Services, Chilton Medical
Center.
Within 24 hours, Tom’s
heart had healed enough to start
pumping on its own again,
enabling Dr. Blitz to remove the
LVAD and discharge him from
the hospital two days later.
Today, following 12 weeks of
outpatient cardiac rehabilita-
tion, Tom is back on the
tennis court and in full swing.
“I’m so fortunate,” he said.
“If I’d been taken to a different
hospital, I may have had a
different outcome.”
As a gesture of appreciation,
Tom and Beverly have decided
to pay it forward with a dona-
tion to support Dr. Blitz’s amaz-
ing work at Chilton Medical
Center, hoping their gift will
benefit future heart patients
whose lives also depend on hav-
ing state-of-the-art cardiac care
available in their community. v
Chilton Magazine summer 2018