Our patient stories profile those who have had heart transplants at UPMC . Although everyone’s care experience is unique, we hope that sharing these stories will help prospective patients and their families better understand these procedures and their potential impact on patients’ lives.
Note: These patients' treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
In February 2020, Linda began to feel exhausted and had difficulty breathing and walking. She was referred to the UPMC Heart Transplant Program, where she was placed on the heart transplant waiting list. On Valentine’s Day 2021, Linda received her new heart and began the road to recovery.
Laura Baker lived with heart muscle disease for 20 years. When her health took a dramatic turn for the worse in 2014, she learned she needed a heart transplant.
Jeff Carpenter was on the heart transplant list when his fifth heart attack sent him into cardiac arrest and he was flown by paramedics to UPMC Presbyterian. There, doctors stabilized Jeff and implanted a ventricular assist device (VAD) to help him recover enough to undergo a transplant. Jeff got a new heart in November 2013 and is enjoying life with his family.
In 1995, Ben Collins, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, noticed that he was having increasing difficulty going up a flight or two of stairs at the Cathedral of Learning. After a thorough evaluation, doctors discovered Ben had ventricular tachycardia, a condition that resulted in his heart racing at dangerously high rates. Since his transplant, Ben has recovered nicely and taken up running, and participated in many races.
Shortly after undergoing chemotherapy to successfully fight breast cancer, Phyllis began noticing that it was hard for her to carry things. She also had shortness of breath, and was tired. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, but her heart was in good enough condition to continue with her life normally while getting regular checkups from her cardiologist. Over time, though, Phyllis's heart continued to weaken and it was determined that she would need a heart transplant.
After living with a diseased heart for most of her life, Michelle Hagerty needed a heart transplant. Trusting in the care of her transplant team, Michelle received a second chance at life.
Paul Jewell was just 36 years old when he learned he had an enlarged heart and irregular heart rhythm. He managed his condition with medication for nearly 10 years, but in 1993, he developed severe congestive heart failure. Paul received a ventricular assist device, or VAD, and spent five months in the hospital before undergoing a heart transplant. Today, he and his wife live in Erie and he takes every opportunity to spread the word about the importance of organ donation.
Elex Jordan's journey to a heart transplant began in 2007 with his first heart attack. Over the years, he managed his condition with the help of medication, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and his cardiac care team. In 2014, Elex's cardiologist determined he needed a heart transplant. Four years after his successful transplant, Elex has returned to the active, engaged grandfather and husband that he was. Elex and his wife Diane remain grateful for the top-notch care they received at UPMC and the life-changing medicine that offered Elex a new lease on life.
Years of cardiovascular disease left Bob Lancia fearing he had run out of options. However, through the dedication of the Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant teams, Bob received a ventricular assist device (VAD) and, eventually, a second chance at life through heart transplant.
In 1997, Tom Meshanko experienced some chest soreness and tingling in his left arm. Knowing his family had a history of heart disease, he went to see his doctors at UPMC Shadyside right away. Doctors told him he’d had a heart attack and his heart had suffered massive damage. Since his transplant, Tom has remained active, participating in the Transplant Games of America, and even took a hot air balloon ride.
Andrea McConaughy learned she had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart muscle disease, as a teenager. By her mid-20s, Andrea’s heart had become so weak that she needed a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, to keep her alive. Andrea spent six months in the hospital before receiving a heart transplant. She now lives in North Carolina with her family and will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her transplant this year.
Tom Piccione, a judge and father of five, lived with advanced heart disease for years before receiving a heart transplant at UPMC in 2014. His daughter, UPMC cardiologist Beth Piccione, MD, chose to study cardiology to help her dad and has been by his side every step of the way. Today, Tom is healthy and enjoying life with his family, including nine grandchildren. Ever grateful to his donor, Tom hopes his experience will inspire others to consider organ donation.
Jennifer Robertson was born with two congenital heart defects. She lived a normal life until she needed her first open heart surgery at age 17. She received regular treatment from UPMC doctors until her condition deteriorated after she turned 40. Jennifer received a heart transplant and today she is able to stay active and exercise, things she wasn't able to do before.
When Phil Rostek arrived at UPMC Presbyterian with a failing heart, he felt like he was right where he needed to be. He’d always loved Oakland, and his confident, compassionate doctors put him at instantly at ease. Phil underwent a heart transplant in 2008. Today, he remains grateful to everyone who cared for him both before and after his surgery.
It was during hunting season in 1985 when Bob Shoup, then 27, started experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath. A few days before Christmas, Bob’s arm went numb, and he couldn’t speak — signs of a stroke. Several weeks passed and Bob still had no energy, he couldn’t walk across the room without loss of breath. A chest x-ray revealed that his heart was enlarged due to congestive heart failure. Over the 27 years since his initial heart transplant, Bob has been able to lead a primarily healthy, normal life, and watch his family grow—something he wasn’t always sure would be possible.
Emil Steinmetz lived an active life, enjoying pickup basketball games with his sons and spending time with his family. When a sudden heart attack revealed deterioration in his heart, Emil began his journey with the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. Through careful monitoring by his doctors and the assistance of a pacemaker, Emil was able to continue living his life. Eventually though, the deterioration became severe enough to place Emil on the heart transplant waiting list. In 2016, 12 years after his initial heart attack, Emil received his heart transplant. He forged a special bond with his heart donor's family and continues to celebrate his gift of renewed life with his wife, children, and five grandchildren.
George Stout's battle with cardiovascular issues began with a massive heart attack at age 45. Knowing he had a family history of heart problems, George sought care at UPMC. In the years that followed, George experienced 3-4 additional heart attacks, a bypass, and numerous other procedures. When a diagnosis of heart failure and atrial fibrillation came in 2017, George thought he was out of options. Luckily, the UPMC Advanced Heart Failure team felt confident they could help George. 27 years after his initial heart attack, George received a new heart. He now spends his days shag dancing with his wife and taking trips to North Carolina, enjoying his newfound lease on life.
In 2014, Brandy Sweeney was enjoying life as a mother to two young boys and a baby girl on the way. Shortly before the birth of her daughter, however, Brandy was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy - a type of congestive heart failure that primarily affects mothers during their last month of pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. Brandy's doctors recognized her need for the best cardiovascular care and transferred her to UPMC, where doctors placed a left ventricular assist device - or LVAD - to aide Brandy's heart while she waited for a transplant. Three years after receiving her new heart, Brandy is grateful for her second chance at life and loves being an active and involved mother to her three young children.
When Lisa Tork wasn’t feeling well at the start of November 2018, she thought she simply had the flu. But by the middle of the month, she still couldn’t shake the illness, and it wasn’t long before the situation turned worse.
When Stacey Vernallis, a fit, active trial attorney and mom of three, came home from a business trip with a cough, the last thing she suspected was a heart problem. Just months later, Stacey learned she had cardiomyopathy and was in congestive heart failure. To support her heart until a transplant, Stacey received a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD. Stacey received a heart transplant in July 2014 and works every day to regain her active lifestyle as much as possible. She’s also actively involved in spreading the word about the importance of organ donation.
Dale Crawford works as a neurodiagnostic technologist at UPMC Presbyterian, but soon after he started to experience health problems in December of 2020, the young man with a passion for helping patients became a patient himself.
