John Brancaccio knows firsthand how stressful it can be to be diagnosed with heart valve disease. But 25 years after undergoing open-heart surgery to have his valve replaced and surviving amazing odds, the 90-year old retired mechanical engineer has made it his mission to help others by creating his legacy to ensure the future of the Heart Valve Center at St. Francis Hospital.
After a long and exciting career with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), it wasn't police work that put Lieutenant Thomas P. Huller at risk-it was his own heart.
Jeffrey Lang had a longstanding fear of hospitals. A few years ago when Jeff first experienced shortness of breath and noticed that his heart was pounding a bit more as he climbed a flight of stairs, the healthy 57-year-old was frightened but ignored the troubling symptoms. Eventually, Jeff's friends insisted that he go to the nearest emergency room.
Linda Pons will be forever grateful to St. Francis Hospital for the surgery that saved her life; and St. Francis is equally grateful to Linda for her generosity-promised before she ever set foot in the Hospital as a patient.
Pat and Dom Zuzzi's relationship with St. Francis began 20 years ago when Dom had a heart attack that required triple bypass surgery. Today, Dom and Pat continue to be grateful to the doctors and staff who saved Dom's life during that very frightening time.
A beautiful day on a Pennsylvania golf course brought John and a very special man together. By chance, John completed a foursome and met Dr. Chris LaMendola. On the 18th hole, John discovered that Dr. LaMendola, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, occupied an office adjacent to John's cardiologist at St. Francis Hospital. The parting words were "I hope I see you soon on the golf course and not in surgery!"
* Deceased