Cardiac Patient Stories

See what our patients are saying about heart care at Scripps

Heart attack survivor B Verde smiles, illustrating the gratitude she feels following successful treatment at Scripps.

See what our patients are saying about heart care at Scripps

Having recovered from a heart attack and a tear in her artery wall, Bertha “B” Verde is dedicated to educating women about heart disease.


As a survivor of multiple heart attacks, Cheri Jones sought care from someone who specializes in women’s heart disease. 


MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew turned to Scripps for a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to keep his heart pumping while he awaited a heart transplant.


A defibrillator was implanted into the chest of international downhill speed skier Philippe May to ensure his heart wouldn’t stop if he went into cardiac arrest.


Read about these patients, and others, who turned to Scripps for San Diego's best cardiology and heart surgery.

Bertha “B” Verde

Bertha

Bertha “B” Verde

After recovering from a near fatal heart condition, B made it a priority in her life to educate women about their risk of heart disease. Learn more about how B is helping others

Philippe May

Scripps heart patient Philippe May smiling and holding a racing bicycle.

Philippe May

World-class athlete Philippe May is back competing after being sidelined by a newly discovered heart condition. Learn why Philippe travels internationally to receive his care at Scripps.

David Brush

David Brush stands smiling in a green, sunny outdoor setting, representing the freedom from blood thinning medication he enjoys after heart care at Scripps.

David Brush

For years David Brush lived with an irregular heartbeat caused by atrial fibrillation. Scripps doctors treated David’s AFib thanks to a device that allowed him to stop taking blood thinning medication. Read David’s story.

Pat Egan

Two women stand and smile while wearing red in a bright, sunny area, representing how cardiac rehab at Scripps helped them get back to good health.

Pat Egan

The mother/daughter duo of Pat Egan and Caroline Helms are both back on the road to good health after suffering multiple heart attacks. Learn more about how cardiac rehab helped with their recoveries.

Laurie Lipman

Laurie Lipman smiles while standing in front of a window, representing her optimistic outlook with the help of preventive heart care at Scripps.

Laurie Lipman

Financial advisor Laurie Lipman is vigilant about preventive heart care after her mother passed away from a massive heart attack at age 62. Read Laurie’s story.

Cheri Jones

Cheri Jones smiles while outdoors on a sunny day, representing her improved quality of life after treatment at Scripps for heart attack.

Cheri Jones

After several heart attacks and four stent placements, elementary school teacher Cheri Jones turned to Scripps Women’s Heart Center to keep her on the road to recovery. Find out why Cheri chose Scripps.

Rodolfo Nelson-Culebro

Rodolfo Nelson-Culebro sits and smiles in an outdoor setting, representing the healthy life he enjoys by traveling from Mexico for heart care at Scripps.

Rodolfo Nelson-Culebro

Rodolfo Nelson-Culebro travels from Mexicali, Mexico for heart care and credits Scripps cardiologists with saving his life. Learn why Rodolfo chooses Scripps for cardiology care and more

John and Joyce McNamara

Close up shot of an elderly man and woman holding hands in an outdoor autumn setting

John and Joyce McNamara

John and Joyce McNamara opted to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to reduce their risk of strokes and eventually get off blood thinners. Learn why the McNamaras chose Scripps for their heart care.

Rod Carew

Scripps heart care patient Rod Carew holds a baseball bat.

Rod Carew

MLB legend Rod Carew was implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) after suffering a massive heart attack and being diagnosed with heart failure. Learn why Rod chose Scripps.

Bill Toone

Scripps heart patient Bill Toone embraces a friend in Africa.

Bill Toone

Internationally recognized biologist and environmentalist Bill Toone underwent open-heart surgery for the repair of a life-threatening aortic aneurysm and the replacement of a damaged aortic heart valve. Learn why Bill chose Scripps.