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One patient's experience more than a decade ago was a pivotal moment for both Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute and Saint Luke's Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program.

After a fainting spell, Angela Alvarez was ultimately diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Her original plan of action was to undergo a heart transplant, but she sought a second opinion at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute.

Joel DeBoer could have been a model for a fitness ad. The active father of three teenagers felt great and enjoyed biking, hiking, skiing, and rock climbing with his family.

For 67-year-old longtime Kansas City resident Todd Zehner, family has always been at the heart of his life. A husband of 45 years and proud grandfather of two energetic kids, Todd was looking forward to a joyous holiday season in December 2024. But on Dec. 17, his world turned upside down when a stroke sent him to the ICU for seven days.

When Karie Labelle first brought her teenage daughter, Gabriella, to Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists, she never expected the visit would eventually lead to a life-changing surgery of her own.

First, it was the checkbook.

Sue Jameson, 84, from Chillicothe, Missouri, was meticulous in balancing the family finances. One day in 2020, her husband, Douglas, noticed she hadn’t made any entries for several months.

Typically, patients use the swing bed program to be closer to home so family and friends are nearby during their recovery. Having worked as the CFO for both Wright Memorial Hospital and Hedrick Medical Center for many years, Janet knew Hedrick was exactly where she wanted to go to do rehabilitation and regain her strength.

Linda Donaldson and her daughter, Kiley Williams-Bowls, are on a mission. After losing a combined total of 305lbs, with the help of bariatric weight-loss surgery, the mother/daughter duo are helping other bariatric patients navigate the waters of their new healthy lives.

In her 30s, Jeannie Kautt, 66, was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Luckily, she had connections to the care she needed at Anderson County Hospital and Saint Luke's Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute.

After ending up in the hospital with a stress-induced heart issue, Louise stayed optimistic and made lifestyle changes to turn her health around.