AtlantiCare surprises grateful patient
June 18, 2019
Contacts:
Jennifer Tornetta, (O) 609-569-7010, (C) 609-335-3446, jennifer.tornetta@atlanticare.org
Joseph Clark, Jr. (O) 609-272-6318, (C) 609-437-4016, joseph.clarkjr@atlanticare.org
For Immediate Release: June 17, 2019
A Manahawkin, NJ, man whom AtlantiCare treated for heart attack and stroke, thought he’d just be thanking his care team today. The physicians and staff surprised him by giving him a birthday cake to mark his 81st birthday, which he’ll celebrate next week.
Thomas Richards says he told his wife Kathleen in March that he needed to get to a hospital because he wasn’t feeling well. It turned out he’d had a heart attack. He was transferred from a community hospital in Manahawkin to the Heart and Vascular Institute at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus, a cardiac surgery center, for treatment of his heart attack. Before he was released from the hospital, his care team diagnosed him as having a stroke. They initiated treatment for his stroke and transported him to ARMC Atlantic City Campus, a comprehensive stroke center.
Even though I’m 80, I had no symptoms of the heart attack,” says the retired police officer and father of four, including two sons, who are former police officers and now firefighters. “After all those years of working in law enforcement it was the first time I ever rode in the back of an ambulance. Even my oldest son, said, ‘Hey dad, how did you like riding in the back of an ambulance as a patient?’ ”
Richards’s family, including most of his children, their spouses, and two of his grandchildren, attended what ended up being a surprise birthday celebration for him. AtlantiCare provided lunch, including heart-healthy options, and a birthday cake featuring the New York Yankees, which daughter Kelli VanNosdall says is his biggest love next to his family. Several staff members – most of whom are Phillies fans – wore Yankees’ colors to honor Richards.
“Eighty-one is going to be the best birthday yet,” says Richards.
Richards says in addition to thanking his caregivers, he wants to promote the importance of heeding heart attack and stroke symptoms. “A lot of older people are embarrassed about calling 911. They don’t want to bother the ambulance crew or they think it is indigestion and they don’t understand the seriousness. I paid attention to my symptoms and it saved my life. If you get the feeling that something is wrong, don’t be afraid to dial 911,” he says.
William Adams, D.O., a critical care intensivist at AtlantiCare and Timothy Slaven, D.O., AtlantiCare Physician Group Cardiology, speak with Thomas Richards.
Thomas Richards is surrounded by family members and a family friend during AtlantiCare patient reunion celebration.
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