Heart Care Patient Stories

See what our patients are saying about cardiac care at Scripps

Olivia Smoak, a Scripps patient, and her son are playing on a playground in San Diego, illustrating how Scripps delivers life-saving care.

See what our patients are saying about cardiac care at Scripps

Scripps Health is a nationally recognized leader that heart care patients count on to treat all types of heart conditions.


Whether it’s an unexpected heart event, hereditary heart condition, heart failure, heart disease or rare heart diagnosis, our team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and heart specialists are with you every step of the way to ensure the best care and outcomes.


Scripps is committed to improving our patients’ quality of life and returning them to fuller and more active lifestyles. These patient stories illustrate how Scripps’ expert cardiologists, compassionate care, leading-edge research and state-of-the-art technology put them back on the road to good health.


And their stories will also show you why Scripps is the heart care leader you can trust when it matters the most.

The Heart of Resilience

Olivia Smoak is pictured with her children and care team in an outdoor setting.

The Heart of Resilience

After a rare childbirth complication led to heart failure, Scripps experts saved Navy nurse Olivia Smoak’s life with advanced technology - and inspired her next mission. 

Bold New Trails

Whitney DeSpain is back on her biike and doing what she loves after receiving an innovative pacemaker at Scripps Health.

Bold New Trails

Learn how a state-of-the-art pacemaker smaller than a AAA battery put biking enthusiast Whitney DeSpain back in the saddle.

A Complicated Case

Female heart patient, Kim Trauth, enjoys cool coastline weather and is grateful for the expert care she received at Scripps.

A Complicated Case

Kim Trauth required a rare mitral valve procedure when she began having heart problems associated with childhood cancer treatment. 

Overcoming Heart Failure

Heart failure survivor, Eric Roberts, works out with cable weights as part of his cardiac rehab plan at Scripps.

Overcoming Heart Failure

Eric Roberts received life-saving treatment at Scripps following sudden heart failure.  

A Legendary Save

MLB Hall of Famer, Rod Carew, wears a brown suede coat and represents the importance of getting your heart checked.

A Legendary Save

MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew’s heart journey and LVAD experience is a prime example of why getting your heart checked is so important.

The Right Call

Former NFL pro, Ed White, wears a yellow oxford shirt and paints, grateful for his TAVR treatment at Scripps.

The Right Call

Learn how Scripps helped NFL great Ed White defend his life with leading-edge TAVR treatment for aortic stenosis.

Back in the Race

Philippe May wears cycling gear with a road bike slung on his shoulder and is back in the race with heart help from Scripps.

Back in the Race

Champion speed skier and cyclist Philippe May keeps competing at a high level after Scripps treated his heart rhythm disorder.

Comic Relief

Heart attack survivor and comedian, Mark Whitney, wears a red sweatshirt and prepares to tell his heart story to local media.

Comic Relief

After surviving a "widow-maker" heart attack, the expert care team at Scripps helped comedian Mark Whitney find a new perspective on life.  

An Innovative Approach

Keith Kendrick smiles near a weight rack after advanced technology at Scripps helped treat his hereditary heart issue.

An Innovative Approach

An advanced cardiac imaging test at Scripps helped Keith Kendrick survive a hereditary heart condition.