Dignity Health | hello Healthy | Summer 2018

6 DignityHealth.org/central-california | Summer 2018 Healthy hearts can love longer Celebrating a former heart patient’s 100th birthday Reaching 100 years of life is a momentous occasion. Recently, St. Joseph’s Medical Center had the privilege of celebrating this milestone with a former patient, Firmin DeMellow. In 2010, at the age of 92, DeMellow had open-heart surgery at St. Joseph’s, performed by the renowned cardiac surgeon James Morrissey, MD. While DeMellow’s advanced age at the time of surgery put him at an increased risk for complications, he was able to make a full recovery. Eight years later, DeMellow returned to St. Joseph’s, not as a patient, but rather as the medical center’s guest of honor. In celebration of his 100th birthday, St. Joseph’s hosted a birthday party for DeMellow in the hospital’s newly renovated lobby. Hospital staff members, including St. Joseph’s CEO Don Wiley, as well as DeMellow’s cardiac surgeon, Dr. Morrissey, stopped by to wish him well. After a spirited rendition of the Happy Birthday song, DeMellow and St. Joseph’s staff members enjoyed cupcakes and reconnecting. Make the call The first step in keeping your heart healthy is to find out where it stands. Start by taking our online heart risk assessment at StJosephsCares.org/Heart .