Thoracic and Cardiovascular Patient Stories

Weightlifting with a VAD: How UF Health Helped Michael Weightlift Again Weightlifting with a VAD: How UF Health Helped Michael Weightlift Again

Feb 26th, 2020

Michael went into heart failure at 23. As a young, active man, he wasn’t sure a ventricular assist device (VAD) was the best fit for him. Our dedicated physicians worked with Michael to help keep him weightlifting, with a VAD.  

Al Benefits From UF Health Urology, Cardiology Tag Team Al Benefits From UF Health Urology, Cardiology Tag Team

Jan 26th, 2020

Al Johnson has lived in Georgia for most of his life. After owning a successful auto repair shop in the area for 20 years, he had to retire his business right next door due to his unexpected health issues. This was crushing to him after building a business he truly loved. “I’d probably still be…

Nikia’s Second Chance Nikia’s Second Chance

Sep 14th, 2018

Read the incredible story of the heroic efforts by numerous University of Florida Health teams who saved Nikia, a girl with injuries so severe, the medical experts said, “She shouldn’t be alive.”

ECMO restores Florida man to health after severe flu diagnosis ECMO restores Florida man to health after severe flu diagnosis

Dec 29th, 2017

For most of his career as a lineman with Duke Energy, David Goff has climbed tall utility poles to inspect and repair high-voltage wires. It is a tough job that requires constant attention to safety and detail. Although the hours were long and the work often dangerous, Goff loved his job. But an uncontrollable cough…

Extending a life with a lung transplant Extending a life with a lung transplant

Mar 30th, 2017

An uncontrollable cough led Tampa Bay-area resident Mike Preston to seek medical attention. Preston visited his primary care physician and specialists to find out the cause. Within five months, Preston had the diagnosis — pulmonary fibrosis. Ultimately, the only treatment for the disease was a lung transplant. At the time of his diagnosis nearly five…

Beating the odds: Ronny’s story Beating the odds: Ronny’s story

Oct 21st, 2016

In March, Ronald “Ronny” Pruitt, the head football coach for Union County High School in Lake Butler, and his wife, Robin, packed their bags for a spring break trip to the Bahamas. Before leaving, Ronny had the beginning of what seemed like a cold. His family physician prescribed a Z-Pak and Ronny hopped on a…

XVIVO Lung Perfusion System increases transplant options XVIVO Lung Perfusion System increases transplant options

Sep 1st, 2016

Robin Thomas lived one struggling breath at a time. Diagnosed with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, her only option for survival was a lung transplant. However, the odds of finding a set of donor lungs did not appear to be favorable. By some estimates, nearly 80 percent of donor lungs are unsuitable for transplant. But…

Breathing easier after lung transplant Breathing easier after lung transplant

Apr 28th, 2016

Tiago Machuca, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine, recently performed UF Health’s first lung transplants using organs treated on the XVIVO Perfusion System. The device preserves donated lungs that do not initially meet the standard criteria for lung transplantation but may be transplantable if there is…

UF Health marks 100th transcatheter aortic valve replacement as program growth continues UF Health marks 100th transcatheter aortic valve replacement as program growth continues

Sep 30th, 2013

For Rosalie Youngerman, the chance to get a new aortic valve without open-heart surgery was literally a lifesaver. In July, Youngerman became the 100th person at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital to undergo a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a procedure that allows surgeons to replace valves in patients who are not good candidates…

Keeping up with the grandkids Keeping up with the grandkids

Mar 20th, 2012

When Dan Fulford needed heart surgery in August 2010 to stop his atrial fibrillation, he didn’t mind that he would be only the third person to undergo a hybrid Mini-Maze at the hands of a UF cardiac surgeon and an electrophysiologist . “My wife wanted me to go visit other hospitals and get other opinions,…

A second birthday A second birthday

Jan 18th, 2012

When Peggy Prevost learned in 2005 that she had a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, she wasn’t about to let the diagnosis slow her down. A frequent swimmer and avid Gator fan, Mrs. Prevost continued her regular exercise routine and attended Gator football games, just as she always had. But the intermittent racing and…

Heart failure: Ventricular assist devices as destination therapy

Jul 9th, 2011

Find answers to frequently asked questions about ventricular assist devices.

Orlando man gets fresh start as Shands celebrates 500th lung transplant milestone Orlando man gets fresh start as Shands celebrates 500th lung transplant milestone

Jan 3rd, 2011

Shands at the University of Florida recently celebrated a new milestone and gave a patient a fresh lease on life in time for the new year. Orlando resident Bhowani Sharma received a new lung, marking the hospital’s 500th lung transplant since 1994.