Mark Meade, Heart Transplant Recipient, June 4, 2008

For eight weeks in spring 2008, Mark Meade waited for a heart transplant in a room on the 21st floor of Hahnemann. What could have been a lonely, frightening time for him and his wife, Terry, was made brighter by the extraordinary care and support they received from virtually every Hahnemann staff member with whom the Meades came in contact.

"From the day Mark moved into the ‘penthouse’ as we called it, we were totally amazed at the way we were enveloped by everyone at Hahnemann,” says Mrs. Meade. “The care and concern that was shown to us was far above and beyond anything we ever encountered at any other hospital facility.”

“The nurses were always asking if there was anything they could do for us,” says Meade. “They were so caring all the time. Our children and especially our grandchildren were always made comfortable and welcome on their visits with Grandpa.”

Meade’s health was seriously deteriorating and a suitable donor heart had not been found. Then on June 3 at 5 p.m., Chief of Cardiology Dr. Eisen walked into Meade’s room with the best possible news. Surrounded by his interns, residents and fellows, he announced, “We found you a heart!”

“It was a TRIUMPHANT evening for us and the entire Hahnemann staff who made it possible!” exclaims Meade. “There are no words to describe how grateful I am for the care and support we received. Our experience at Hahnemann could not have been better. We feel as though we gained another family.”

  Ruth Willis, Heart Transplant Recipient, May 29, 1999

Ruth Willis is an energetic 77 years old. Nearly twelve years ago, the situation was markedly different. A seemingly healthy woman at the time, Ruth began experiencing shortness of breath.

“My local hospital became like my second home,” says Ruth. “It wasn’t long before my doctor told me I needed to see someone at Hahnemann about a new heart.”

After a relatively short wait on the hospital’s transplant unit, Ruth received a heart from a donor in Virginia. She returned home about a month later and hit the ground running, eager to get on with her life.

 Although leading a busy personal life, Ruth maintains her ties to Hahnemann. In addition to still receiving care at the hospital, she is also a member of the “Second Chance” heart transplant support group.

 “I had such a good experience at Hahnemann and everyone was so very good to me,” she says. “I don’t need to go anywhere else!”