The Mercy Touch® Magazine
The Mercy Touch magazine features insightful and practical medical information, warm human interest stories, medical triumphs, medical breakthroughs and new technologies at Mercy Medical Center.
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A Clear Path to a Healthy Heart
John “Rusty” Fritz was mowing a steep ditch last summer when he felt a burning sensation in his chest. Later that fall, Rusty experienced numbness in his leg. His family convinced him to visit his MercyCare internal medicine provider, Mark Valliere, MD, who referred him to cardiologist Nick Hodgman, MD, FACC, for a stress test.
Read more on page 4.
A Little Warrior’s Big Battle
Hayley and her husband, Eric, noticed Carter’s head bobbed slightly with each breath and his chest retracted in unusual places. After some tests, 2-week-old Carter and his family began care at Mercy Pediatric Cardiology Clinic with Mark Zittergruen, MD, FAAP, FACC, MBA.
Read more on page 6.
Tuning In to Warning Signs
Persistent headaches and extremely high blood pressure sent Kathleen Gorski, 70, to Mercy Cardiology Clinic in November. The amateur radio enthusiast was going to get checked out, even though she didn’t think the symptoms were caused by her heart.
Read more on page 10.
Back in the Game
When 49-year-old Tom Jackson walked into Mercy Cardiology Clinic for an electrocardiogram (EKG) in January, he thought he was dealing with a bad case of indigestion. EKG results would prove a life-threatening reality.
Read more on page 10.
Advanced Treatments for Your Hardest Working Muscle
Off-pump bypass surgery offers a less invasive option for some high-risk patients.
Read more on page 16.
Acing Heart Care
Melvin told Marietta his body was aching, especially his chest, and he just couldn’t seem to get comfortable. The Kummerfeldts walked into Mercy’s ER, where cardiologist Nicholas Hodgman, MD, FACC, wasted no time assessing Melvin’s condition.
Read more on page 19.
