Hearing you need heart surgery can trigger anxiety and denial. Worries about the procedure and your recovery can feel overwhelming. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, however, you can find expert care and hope for a healthy future — all close to home.
For heart surgery patients Barbara Dressman, Tricia Wasson and Kimberly Wells, the St. Elizabeth Cardiac Surgery program offered even more. The surgical team led by Mario Castillo-Sang, MD, a Cardiac Surgeon at St. Elizabeth, trained in advanced minimally invasive heart surgery techniques, delivered the confident, compassionate, sophisticated care needed to heal their hearts and help them reclaim their active lives.
Here are their stories.
Barbara’s Journey: From Rare Diagnosis to a 500-Mile Adventure
Barbara and her husband had 70th birthday plans to complete the 500-mile walk on Spain’s Camino de Santiago. She never suspected she had a heart problem, but she made an appointment to check her arteries before the trip, just in case. That’s when her doctor discovered a myxoma — a rare, benign tumor that develops in the heart — and referred her to Dr. Castillo-Sang.
“I thought I’d have to travel far to get care. But the team at St. Elizabeth called me right away and told me Dr. Castillo-Sang could help,” Barbara says. “He explained everything so clearly. He was so caring and said he could do the surgery in a less invasive way. He said he felt like we could still make our trip happen — and he did make it happen for me.”
““Everyone — from the surgeons to the nurses — was wonderful and kind. They all take their jobs seriously, and they care about you as a patient and person”
Barbara, PatientAfter an MRI and several other tests, Barbara underwent minimally invasive surgery to remove her tumor just nine days after her diagnosis. She spent three days and nights recovering in the hospital. Six weeks later, she and her husband fulfilled their birthday wish along the Camino de Santiago.
“Going from an unexpected diagnosis to a procedure in less than two weeks was a whirlwind experience,” Barbara says. “But at every step, Dr. Castillo-Sang, the nurses and others on his team made me feel seen and supported.”
“Everyone — from the surgeons to the nurses — was wonderful and kind. They all take their jobs seriously, and they care about you as a patient and person,” she says. “They’re all dedicated to the well-being of every patient. I had world-class care right here. I didn’t have to go anywhere else.”
Patricia’s Surprise: A Lifelong Problem Suddenly Revealed
For Patricia, now 75, the journey to detect her mitral valve disease started with a mini-stroke. Her friends noticed the telltale signs of the event during dinner at a local restaurant. They took her to the hospital, where she stayed overnight. A follow-up exam several months later highlighted other health issues.
Imaging and blood tests revealed two problems. Patricia had been born with a leaky mitral valve. She also had an extremely low level of hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
After receiving an iron injection and two blood transfusions to elevate her hemoglobin, Patricia turned to Dr. Castillo-Sang for mitral valve repair. She was fearful at first, but a detailed conversation helped calm her anxiety.
“The care team took amazing precautions and treated me with such compassion”
Patricia, Patient“I met with Dr. Castillo-Sang, and he showed me on a screen what he would do during surgery. I also saw a video of someone who had the procedure,” she says. “When you’re talking about having heart surgery, it’s scary. But talking with him and seeing those pictures and images made me feel so much better.”
Dr. Castillo-Sang made three three-centimeter incisions to fix Patricia’s mitral valve. She stayed in the hospital for six days and felt at ease the entire time.
“The care team took amazing precautions and treated me with such compassion,” she says. “I never felt alone.”
“Before I had surgery, I felt there was a chance of death. I don’t feel that way now. I feel whole again.”
Kim, PatientKim’s Acceptance: From Resistance to Action and a New Lease on Life
Like Barbara, Kim never imagined she had a heart problem. She often felt fatigued and stressed. But she was still shocked when, during a routine visit, her Primary Care provider heard something strange — clicks and irregular rhythms. Kim was sent for an emergency echocardiogram. The test revealed mitral valve regurgitation, a condition where the valve doesn’t close properly and blood leaks backward into the heart.
Even though providers referred Kim to Dr. Castillo-Sang, she delayed making an appointment for eight months.
“I was very much in denial the entire time,” she says. “When I finally scheduled the visit, Dr. Castillo-Sang showed me what my heart was doing. It was only working at 45%, and all the blood was coming from the top. It’s such an emotional thing to talk about.”
Despite feeling scared, that conversation helped Kim understand why surgery was necessary.
“I had a lot going on. My daughter was having her first baby. I was changing careers,” she says. “Dr. Castillo-Sang told me I didn’t want to wait until I was sick or something happened. It was better just to do it — so I did.”
She said she’s grateful for her choice, the small incision and the outstanding care she received from the St. Elizabeth team. Overall, the experience has given her a renewed sense of energy.
“Before I had surgery, I felt there was a chance of death,” she says. “I don’t feel that way now. I feel whole again.”
The St. Elizabeth Difference
Many heart problems, like benign tumors and mitral valve disease, are slow-growing conditions. They often cause no noticeable symptoms. For Barbara, Patricia and Kim, those hidden conditions turned into life-changing journeys. Their experiences highlight why families across the region choose St. Elizabeth for heart surgery:
Unmatched Expertise, Peace of Mind
Our nationally recognized program holds the highest rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) — a distinction earned by only the top heart programs nationwide. That means you receive care proven to deliver the safest outcomes.
Advanced Care, Life-Changing Results
From minimally invasive procedures to the latest surgical technologies, our team uses advanced approaches that reduce pain, shorten recovery and help patients return to their lives more quickly.
Personalized Approach, Compassionate Understanding
Every patient’s story is unique. That’s why our surgeons, nurses and specialists work in close coordination — surrounding you with care designed for your needs and supporting your family at every step.
