Kenosha resident Noah Marcoe was experiencing shortness of breath while completing even the simplest of tasks. Concerned about his own well-being, Noah consulted Dr. William Jeranek, his primary care physician, which set in motion a system of efficient and effective care that swiftly placed Noah into the hands of Dr. Stephen Laga, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, for a major AtriClip and quadruple bypass open heart surgical procedure.
MAKE THE CALL TO RECEIVE THE CARE YOU NEED
“I could not walk from my garage to my mailbox without stopping to catch my breath,” said Noah. “I could have struggled through, but I am so grateful I made the call to see my family doctor about my shortness of breath. I hate to think what my outcome would have been if I had waited.”
Dr. Laga said, “The Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital team of physicians and surgeons is right here, ready to provide world-class medical care for the greater Kenosha area. I encourage you to make the call to receive the care you need. It is imperative to schedule regular checkups and to communicate changes in your health with your primary care physician. It is okay to ask questions about your health and seek out consultations. It is far better to receive proactive treatment than to wait for a life-threatening emergency. In Noah’s case, being able to plan and complete his major heart surgery before he experienced a heart attack or heart failure spared him from unnecessary heart damage and enabled him to have a complete and successful recovery.”
“FROM CHECKUP TO OPENING MY CHEST UP, IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST!”-NOAH MARCOE
“I consulted with my family doctor, Dr. Jeranek, on a Monday,” said Noah. “He scheduled a chest x-ray and stress test for that Wednesday. I was barely able to complete the stress test due to my shortness of breath and health status. Then, an appointment was set for the following day for me to meet with Dr. Martini, Interventional Cardiologist. Dr. Martini was very informative and thorough. He identified that my blockage was too severe for him to place stents, and he wanted me to meet with Dr. Laga. To my astonishment, I did not have to schedule and come back for another appointment. Dr. Martini brought Dr. Laga in to see me right then and there! Dr. Laga was immediately involved in my case, and my surgery was promptly scheduled for Monday.”
Dr. Laga said, “Time is of the utmost importance with any issue of the heart. Cardiac care needs to move swiftly and precisely to preserve heart function and to ultimately save lives.”
“I received such attentive and thorough care,” said Noah. “It was remarkable! From checkup to opening my chest up, it all happened so fast. One Monday I met with my family doctor, and the following Monday I had open heart surgery. I credit the extensive collaboration between physicians and departments at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital and how quickly they all worked together with saving my life.”
“I FOUND GREAT COMFORT IN DR. LAGA’S CREDENTIALS.” -NOAH MARCOE
“Every person, and I mean every person, involved in my case used the term ‘major’ when discussing my operation,” said Noah. “The severity of my impending quadruple bypass open heart surgery and AtriClip procedure was overwhelming. My left leg was going to be the donor for the veins used for the bypass. The AtriClip procedure permanently closes the left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots from forming and leaving the left atrium. There was a lot for my wife, Maggie, my close friends, and I to be concerned about. We all felt extremely reassured as we learned more about Dr. Laga’s extensive credentials. Dr. Laga has been practicing for over thirty years and has studied under the very best in his field. I found great comfort in Dr. Laga’s credentials, and the worries of my family and friends were eased.”
Dr. Laga said, “As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I have always made ‘excellence’ my strategy. I do not take lightly the impact my work has on the lives of my patients and their loved ones. I made it my mission to learn from and be trained by the best cardiothoracic surgeons in the world, and I chose to bring my practice to Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital because of the solid culture of excellence here.”
A STRONG TEAM GETS RESULTS
Post-surgery, Noah recovered in the ICU at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital for two days. Then, he was released from the ICU and spent two more days under general observation before being released to go home. “On Monday my chest was open and on Friday before noon I was ready to safely leave and get to the comfort of my own home. The entire experience was phenomenal, and I praise every individual that assisted in caring for me,” said Noah. “I firmly believe it starts from the top, and the leadership team runs a thoroughly excellent institution. Everyone, from Kirsten Lewand and Nick Meyer who cared for me in the ICU to Andrew Sirois, Physician Assistant, was fantastic. The employee that met me at five o’clock in the morning to get me prepped for surgery was delightful. Even the food was excellent. It really was! I am eternally grateful for the strong team of medical professionals that made this surgery possible for me and that ensured its success. Dr. Jeranek ordered the right tests, Dr. Martini cleared his schedule to see me, Dr. Laga put his expertise into timely action, and their teamwork saved my life.”
Dr. Laga said, “Everyone helps make the team strong here at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital, and we all benefit from the ease of collaboration between departments and teamwork. From primary care physicians and techs to ancillary team members, chefs, and cleaning staff, everyone plays an important role for this team to provide excellent medical care.”
Noah said, “Maggie and I have a son who is nonverbal and paraplegic. We have extensive experience with many different hospitals. The care and attention I received at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital stands out as being very different than our experiences elsewhere. I know I had choices about where and how to receive the care I needed. I am thoroughly pleased with my experience with Dr. Laga, and I highly recommend him and Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital. Additionally, the convenience of being close to home was the right choice for my wife. She could easily visit me when I was in the hospital, and it is convenient for her to drive me to access my follow-up appointments and cardiac rehabilitation.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Cardiology, contact 262-653-5483.
