Mercy Health

When 61-year-old Steven arrived at Mercy Health — Anderson Hospital this past April, his condition was critical. After suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, it took nearly 30 minutes of lifesaving resuscitation efforts to restore his heart. What followed was a complex and challenging journey, one that would ultimately become a powerful story of resilience, compassion and hope.

Steven was admitted to the ICU, where a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, pulmonologists, therapists, nurses and many others worked around the clock to support his recovery. Early testing revealed severe coronary artery disease, and his condition was further complicated by respiratory failure requiring prolonged ventilator support, cardiac rhythm disturbances, acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy, and neurological concerns following his arrest.

Despite these challenges, Steven showed remarkable determination. Day by day, his care team stood beside him and his family, offering expert care, encouragement and reassurance through every setback and milestone.

At the heart of his journey was his wife, who remained by his side throughout. Together, they became partners with the care team, navigating uncertainty and celebrating progress along the way.

After weeks of intensive care and perseverance, Steven began to turn a corner. He gradually regained consciousness, progressed to following commands, and became fully alert and oriented. With the support of a tracheostomy and PEG tube, he was able to actively participate in therapy and rebuild his strength.
Through physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Steven made steady progress, eventually breathing on his own again, advancing to a regular diet, and regaining his ability to communicate. His cardiac care included the successful placement of four coronary stents, improving his long-term outlook.

By the time of his discharge, Steven was not only recovering but also thriving. He was eating normally, communicating clearly, and actively participating in his ongoing rehabilitation, with a LifeVest for added protection.

Looking back, Steven describes his experience with deep gratitude. He credits the Mercy Health team not only with saving his life, but with truly caring for him and his family. He remembers the way they celebrated each win, no matter how small, and the way they surrounded his loved ones with compassion and support.

Steven’s journey from cardiac arrest to recovery is due to expert care, teamwork, and the human spirit. It’s also a reminder of what’s possible when patients, families and caregivers come together with a shared goal: healing.

At Mercy Health, stories like Steven’s inspire us every day.

Stay proactive about your health — learn which questions to ask your primary care provider to better understand and lower your stroke risk. Alexandra Sutherland, APRN-CNP, shares expert advice here: https://bit.ly/4upFUk4.

As the school year winds down, we’re reflecting on the many meaningful opportunities to connect with students of all ages. From tours and Health Care Futures Days to career panels, mock interviews and even hands-on experiences for some of our youngest future health care heroes — it’s been an incredible year of learning and inspiration.

One of our favorite memories? Welcoming Shawnee Elmwood second graders in Lima, Ohio, for a day of discovery at Mercy Health! From exploring science and medicine to learning about the many ways we care for our community, their curiosity and excitement made the day unforgettable.

So much fun inspiring young minds and maybe even meeting a few future doctors, nurses and caregivers along the way!

From leading groundbreaking projects at NASA to bravely conquering breast cancer, Adabelle Narvaez-Bostwick’s story reminds us of the power of resilience, community, and generosity. With the support of Mercy Health Foundation donors, survivors like Adabelle find hope and connection, ensuring no one faces the journey alone.

As chief engineer for aeronautics at NASA Glenn Research Center, Adabelle Narvaez-Bostwick dealt with complicated issues for a living. Donor support helped her deal with the most complicated one — cancer.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer just one week after dropping my son off for his first year of college and while my daughter was still at home in high school,” Adabelle says. “Like many women, I suddenly found myself navigating fear, uncertainty and treatment. All while still trying to be a mother and keep life moving forward.”

With her recent retirement, Adabelle has been reflecting on the impact cancer has had on her life and the toll it has taken.

“Cancer changes you,” she says. “Even after treatment ends, the journey is not over. Survivorship brings its own challenges.”

It also brings community and fellowship with other survivors. Later this year, Adabelle plans to volunteer at Dr. Mita Patel’s “Celebrate Survivorship” retreat, a program donors support with their gifts. Their generosity provides support services and hope for women and families facing one of life’s hardest battles.

“Donations like yours make a life-changing difference,” she says. “Your support gives something incredibly powerful: the chance to fight — and the chance to survive.”

You can support lifesaving care in your community. Learn how by visiting https://bit.ly/3U8H1Vc

Leading the future of heart care — right here for our community.

At The Jewish Hospital — Mercy Health, we’re proud to be raising the bar with our first coronary reactivity test, performed by Dr. Muhammad Ajmal.

This advanced testing goes beyond traditional diagnostics — measuring coronary flow reserve (CFR) to assess small-vessel disease and spasm in larger vessels. This technology gives physicians deeper insight into blood flow abnormalities, helping improve diagnosis, guide treatment decisions and personalize patient care.

This milestone reflects the continued commitment to bringing innovative cardiovascular care and advanced diagnostic capabilities to our community.

Congratulations to Joe Gage, chief administrative officer, for being named board chair of The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) Board of Trustees for the 2026–2027 term.

As CHA’s board chair, Joe will help guide strategic priorities, advocacy and mission-driven leadership for the nation’s largest association of Catholic health ministries — strengthening the collective voice of organizations serving millions of people each year.

With more than 30 years of leadership experience, Joe is deeply committed to advancing a culture rooted in compassion, dignity and care for the whole person. His leadership reflects our ministry’s ongoing commitment to extending the compassionate ministry of Jesus and ensuring access to high-quality care for all, especially those who are poor and underserved.

Please join us in congratulating Joe on this important role and continued service to Catholic health care!

Life after cancer treatment is its own journey. Your body is still healing. Your emotions may surprise you. And your medical care doesn’t stop, although it changes shape. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more in control as you move forward. Learn about the cancer care and oncology services we offer at Mercy Health: https://bit.ly/4a9Awdg.

Stroke recovery is a journey — you're not alone. Discover how our dedicated team at Mercy Health can support you and your loved ones every step of the way: https://bit.ly/4dU3gYR.