Walking with patients and caregivers through their health care journey extends the healing ministry of Christ and offers hope.
When you support our West Florida Foundations, you help us provide whole-person, compassionate care so our patients and their families can live their best, most vibrant lives.
Your gifts help fund lifesaving projects, develop groundbreaking treatments, and ensure we have the most advanced facilities and equipment—which means more life-changing moments of celebration right here in our community.
Thank you for helping us deliver world-class health care, close to home.
These stories represent the care you help make possible. Your generous donations impact countless lives and lift up patients, their families, and our care teams. Thank you.
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It was Christmastime when Carol Scarborough started feeling ill. She was experiencing shortness of breath and exhaustion that resulted in her sleeping for upwards of 14 hours a night — a far cry from Carol’s usual seize-the-day energy.
After a visit to the doctor, it was discovered that in addition to COVID-19 pneumonia, Carol was suffering from life-threatening heart disease and needed medical intervention. She was immediately transferred to AdventHealth Tampa Pepin Heart Institute, where our team was honored to care for her.
Pepin’s cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons treated Carol with respect, compassion and the finest heart and vascular care in the Tampa Bay area. Using innovative technology such as the Impella RP® pump to repair her failing heart. Before long, Carol was back to doing what she loves: boating with her husband and spending time with her family.
Pepin’s cardiology team was “the best, absolutely the best team ever,” said Carol. “Anything that was needed was there.
They saved my life.”
On the Road to Feeling Better
Saadia Sullivan was in the process of moving from Virginia to Florida when she started experiencing shortness of breath and pressure in her chest and shoulders. As soon as she got settled in her new home, Saadia made an appointment with a cardiologist at AdventHealth Heart of Florida. There, she received the surprising news that she needed a quadruple bypass.
Following this major surgery, Saadia began cardiac rehabilitation at Heart of Florida to regain her strength. Saadia’s motivation throughout her rehab journey was regaining the ability to drive long distances so she could visit her friends and son back in Virginia. Recovery was challenging, but Saadia’s expert Heart of Florida care team, faith and motivation helped see her through to her goal! Now she has her sights set on a road trip to New Jersey to see her daughter and grandchildren.
“I was sad I had to leave rehab,” says Saadia. “Honestly, I would stay there. They are so good at what they do, and so thoughtful and encouraging.”
Care That Goes Above and Beyond
Caring for others is one of Chelsea Savoy’s greatest passions. It’s why she began her career in respiratory therapy, and it’s why she chose to work at AdventHealth
Tampa — a hospital and a medical community dedicated to delivering compassionate, whole-person care.
In October 2021, 39-year-old Chelsea noticed a rapidly growing mass in her chest. After consulting with her physician and having her first-ever mammogram and a biopsy, Chelsea was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The days after diagnosis were filled with anxiety, but Chelsea found strength to move through the fear. She would do whatever was necessary to be there for her daughter Sophia — and she knew that the best available care awaited her at AdventHealth Tampa’s Kay Meyer Breast Care Center.
Chelsea recalled that Rachel Burke, MD, and the Kay Meyer Breast Care Center team helped her make the unexpected transition from caregiver to patient “with dignity and tender, open hearts.” In addition to providing world-class care, Chelsea said the care team felt “like a sisterhood” — with colleagues and caregivers going out of their way to check in, offer hugs and provide resources for her family, no matter the hour.
Today, Chelsea is finished with her first series of chemo and radiation treatments. She can be found doing art projects with Sophia or enjoying time outdoors.
Saifuddin’s Second Chance
Saifuddin came to the US from India about 25 years ago. When he became ill, he lost his job and his housing. Then one day, Saifuddin fell in the street and was brought to our emergency department by a caring stranger. He’d had a stroke.
Saifuddin faced extensive treatment. He also had no support system for a safe discharge — he was without family, housing and insurance.
Our teams explored ways to get Saifuddin to the other side of care, healthy and secure. We finally located his son in India. During the months it took to get Saifuddin home, we tended to his care, his fear, and his humanity.
“We celebrated holidays together and we took him for walks outside,” said LaTasha, a member of Saifuddin’s care team. “He wasn’t just a patient in a bed. Every day we made sure that he felt like family.”
On his birthday, Saifuddin flew home to India.
Partners Throughout the Journey
Jacob is a sweet and smart 9-year-old boy who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. When we first met Jacob, he didn’t like leaving his wheelchair for fear of falling. However, our AdventHealth pediatric rehabilitation team wanted to help him enjoy the activities and experiences we knew he could achieve.
Over the past three years, through a lot of laughter and Jacob’s favorite country music, we helped Jacob persevere through challenging physical therapy sessions that have increased his movement and independence. We eased his fear about falling so he could move and play like other kids.
Jacob can now independently transfer out of his chair and stand with upper body support. In therapy, he plays in activities typical for his age. Jacob’s next goal is walking. His goal is
our goal, and he’s well on his way.
Linda’s Lifesaving Encounter
“I have a family history of breast cancer, starting with my maternal grandmother. It skipped my mother, but both my younger sister and I were diagnosed with the dreaded words ‘You have breast cancer.’
But I had the best of care. Not only did my gifted radiologist diagnose my Stage 1 tumor — saving my life — but each person I encountered during my treatment made me feel like family.
Because of my experience, I wanted to help bring 3D mammography to the Simpson Breast Health Center. We are now fortunate to have one of the most modern screening and diagnostic tools available. It’s a comfort to know that my daughter, and other women, can receive the same exceptional care I did.”
With a family history of breast cancer, Linda knew that regular mammograms were critical for early detection. Now cancer-free, Linda is committed to helping others access the same quality of care.
Life after Loss
Melinda and her husband, Chuen, found Olufunke Abiose, MD, when they were expecting their second child. Dr. Abiose was warm and caring, and they knew they were in good hands.
Then, at 36 weeks, the unimaginable happened. Melinda and Chuen’s baby girl, Blue, died in utero. Melinda recalls that amidst their loss, the Baby Place team was “nothing short of amazing.” The team was supportive, respectful, and tended to Melinda and Chuen’s needs while providing time and space to grieve.
When Melinda and Chuen became pregnant again, they wanted to go back to the team that so capably and kindly took care of them before. Naturally, they were emotional and anxious during this pregnancy. Dr. Abiose treated Melinda like family, helping her through the experience — including the safe and joyful delivery of a baby girl, Jade.
Inspired by her experience at Wesley Chapel, Melinda has become a doula to help other women through their pregnancies and deliveries — a profound way to honor Blue’s life.
Parker’s Opportunity at a Normal Childhood
“Our son, Parker, arrived to AdventHealth Tampa late at night by ambulance. He had already suffered three seizures. As parents, the unthinkable was running through our minds. It was the worst night of our lives.
Doctors and nurses were quick to care for him, but then we began the wait for a diagnosis. Every step of the way, caregivers kept us informed. They were straightforward and compassionate, and they helped us make sense of what was happening.
We cannot say enough about Terry Rodgers, MD. She and Parker immediately clicked, both lighting up when they are in the same room. Dr. Rodgers confirmed a diagnosis of benign occipital epilepsy and immediately began working hard to ensure Parker is on the right medications. Her thorough care means that he can be a kid without always worrying about seizures.
AdventHealth has made a hard experience as easy as possible — and given us more time to love our son.”
Quality Care, Close to Home
Bob experienced the AdventHealth difference after having heart surgery in Tampa and working on his rehabilitation at AdventHealth Dade City.
Bob was with us for more than two weeks. During that time, our care team partnered with him on exercise training, nutrition, stress-reducing strategies and more. Bob’s goals were our goals. Together, we helped him recover from surgery, improve his cardiac health, and take steps to get back to doing the things he loves – like regular 3-mile walks and enjoying his favorite hobbies.
Crediting his attentive, compassionate and responsive nurses, both Bob and his wife, Nancy, are grateful for the exceptional care that AdventHealth Dade City provides our community:
“Close to home is always better when you’re needing care.”
Open Heart Surgery Success
In March, Jay began experiencing chest pains. After a trip to the doctor and a concerning stress test, he was rushed to the
AdventHealth Ocala emergency department. He needed open heart surgery. Immediately.
Our AdventHealth Ocala Heart and Vascular Program world-class surgeons repaired Jay’s heart. Before long, he was back
behind the wheel of his food truck doing the work he loves. The Ocala cardiology team “made us feel like a part of their
family,” said Jay’s wife, Tammy. “They gave us our lives back.”
Treasuring Time With Family
Caring for others is one of Melissa Proctor’s greatest passions. It’s why she began her career in nursing, and it’s why she chose to work at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel — a hospital and a medical community dedicated to delivering compassionate, whole-person care.
In June of 2021, Melissa was lying on the couch when she felt a large mass in her chest. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. What followed in the days to come was best described by Melissa as an “out-of-body experience.” But one thing was certain. She knew she would seek care at her “home”: AdventHealth Wesley Chapel’s Inspiration Place.
At first, it was challenging for Melissa to make the transition from caregiver to care recipient, but her medical team, led by Nicole Figueredo, MD, helped her feel safe and understood. They approached treatment with the same determination Melissa brought to her own patients. At Inspiration Place, Melissa received world-class care, aided by innovative technologies — such as 3D mammography and ultrasound — that helped her fight on her own terms.
“I wouldn’t have made it through this without AdventHealth,” said Melissa. “Dr. Figueredo saved my life, and she stood by my side during the entire process so I never felt alone.”
Today, Melissa is cancer-free, back to work, and treasuring every moment with her family.
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