Heart Center Touches the Lives of Patients and Their Families

The Heart Center at Columbus Regional Hospital is making a difference in many patients’ lives. Here are the stories of four patients who sought care at CRH because they needed lifesaving cardiac care, and they wanted to get that care close to home.

School Teacher Gives CRH High Marks
Carol Holzer was no stranger to heart disease. Her father died of a heart attack at the age of 40.  
The 52-year-old kindergarten teacher has been living with diabetes – a major risk factor for heart disease – for more than three decades, so she knew it was important to take care of her heart. Holzer stayed active walking about three miles a day and playing golf.

When she felt pressure in her chest last fall, she knew it was time to take action. Her doctor referred her to CRH, where she underwent a cardiac catheterization procedure that revealed several blockages in the coronary arteries. Her doctors recommended surgery.

“It was up to me to choose where I wanted to have surgery,” says Holzer. “I felt really secure with the care I was receiving at CRH. All of the nurses and the doctors made me feel really comfortable and secure. I thought it would be more convenient for my family to come to Columbus as opposed to Indianapolis.”

On September 19th, Holzer had bypass surgery at CRH. Today, she's back in the classroom, she walks and golfs, and she’s active in several community organizations.

“I recommend CRH to everybody I talk to,” says Holzer. “I received excellent care from the minute I walked in the hospital until the moment I left.”

One Senior Gets Her Life Back
Like many people who suffer a heart attack, 77-year-old Mary Whithead thought the burning chest pains she experienced last December were a touch of indigestion.

Heart disease runs in Whithead’s family. In fact, her 91-year-old sister has suffered several heart attacks. So when Whithead’s symptoms worsened, she did what health experts encourage everyone to do: She called 911.

Whithead was initially taken to St. Vincent’s and later transferred to CRH where she had bypass surgery. “I was hurting, and I wanted help,” says Whithead. “I knew the staff at CRH would do the best by me, and everybody was great. I'm very satisfied with the treatment that I got.”

Today, Whithead is back to her old routine. “I am able to take care of myself and my house, and I can drive,” she says. “I can still get out and go.”