“I’m there to give hope.” After open-heart surgery, patient becomes hospital volunteer
Paul Leonard visits patients and families recovering at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital – sharing his story and serving others with a similar diagnosis.
It was the morning of Christmas and at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital a volunteer was stirring.
Paul Leonard woke up early that day and drove to the hospital from his home in Elk River, Minnesota. He put on a red-and-white Santa hat, and chatted with physicians during their morning rounds in the intensive care unit (ICU). Leonard knows his way around the floor. He’s volunteered there for three years – and he was once a patient himself.
During a visit for what he thought was indigestion, doctors discovered a potentially life-threatening blockage near Leonard’s heart. He had open-heart surgery at Southdale Hospital in 2018 and began volunteering three months later.
As a volunteer, Leonard talks with other patients recovering from heart surgery – answering their questions and providing some much-needed hope during the holidays and beyond.
A surprise surgery saves his life
Leonard jokes that he and his family have been visiting M Health Fairview for over three decades for well-care – due in large part to his three sons and a variety of sports-related injuries. In 2018, Leonard was experiencing what he thought was indigestion. He scheduled an appointment at M Health Fairview Clinic – Elk River, and began treatment for acid reflux. When he was still experiencing symptoms, his primary care provider ordered a stress echocardiogram (ECHO).
During the ECHO, doctors discovered a potential life-threatening blockage. Leonard’s care team scheduled him at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital the next morning to receive stents – small devices that would help open the blood vessels around his heart. At the hospital, doctors determined that he wasn’t a candidate for stenting.
He underwent emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery later that day. This procedure cleared four blocked blood vessels near Leonard’s heart – saving his life less than 24 hours after doctors discovered what was wrong.
Leonard now encourages others his age to schedule their annual physicals. Heart disease – which is often caused by clogged coronary arteries – is the leading cause of death in the United States. After his operation, he was also inspired to help other people going through open-heart surgery.
“I stayed at the hospital over the weekend and got to know many of the health care providers who were working,” said Leonard. “I told them, ‘After I’m healed, I’ll be back here to support your team and give back for all I received.’ I wanted to serve staff at the hospital, and others going through this diagnosis.”
Finding a unique way to give back
Leonard left the hospital the following Tuesday and began cardiac rehab closer to home at M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton, Minnesota. As he was recovering, he researched and discovered Mended Hearts, a nonprofit peer support group for adults and children affected by heart disease. Mended Hearts is a national organization with volunteers at local healthcare facilities across the country, who support people recovering from heart surgery. Leonard contacted the Twin Cities chapter, joined the group, and applied to volunteer at Southdale Hospital.
The Southdale Hospital volunteer coordinator called and asked why he didn’t apply to volunteer closer to home in Elk River. Leonard explained – he wanted to serve people going through the same experience in the Southdale Hospital ICU. He started volunteering just three months after surgery.
“I visit patients and their families before and after surgery. Most haven’t been through this surgery before. They have questions, and I’m able to offer a unique perspective as someone who’s been through it,” said Leonard. “Patients want to know what it’s like and are happy to see that I’m ‘normal.’ Although my wife would probably question the word ‘normal’!”
‘I’m there to give hope’ – and thank the care team that saved his life
Leonard is not at the hospital to give medical advice – but to give hope. In addition to the fulfillment of volunteering, regular visits to the hospital help him stay connected to the people who saved his life.
“Paul likes to come back and let us see how he’s progressing,” said Intensive Care Unit Coordinator Cheryl Chapman. “It’s therapeutic for patients to meet someone who has gone through open-heart surgery and is doing well. They see that Paul has resumed his normal life. He’s a young, healthy guy.”
During volunteer shifts, Leonard enjoys catching up with Chapman and Cardiac ICU Nurse Lauren Weiers, RN, CCRN-CSC. Weiers cared for Leonard in the days after his surgery.
“He always stops at the desk to see if I’m working,” said Weiers. “It’s nice to have somebody continually come back and be grateful that you made a difference in taking care of them.”
Leonard brings his playful spirit into his interactions with both staff and patients – including the time he dressed up as Santa Claus while visiting the hospital on Christmas Day.
This holiday season, Leonard is grateful for the care team who saved his life – and for the opportunity to serve others as a volunteer. Hospital staff, and all the patients he has connected with over the years, are grateful for his unique perspective and the hope he brings.
