Media Tip Sheet February 2020

Stories and Events.

Valley Couple to Celebrate Their Love and Organ Donation This Valentine’s Day

A Valley husband and wife will celebrate an extra special Valentine’s Day this year after one donated a lifesaving kidney to the other. High school sweethearts, Wilson and his wife Carol Dahozy are now closer than ever. In December 2018, Carol donated a kidney to save Wilson’s life. Also a double lung transplant recipient, Wilson says of his wife, “It’s something that I can’t explain. It happens to only a few people. We’ve been together 49 years, about to hit 50 and I’ve loved her all of my life.” The Dahozys and Brandi Krushelniski, Vice President of transplant services at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, will be available for interviews on Friday, Feb. 14. Please call (602) 406-3312 to schedule.

 

Leap Day Babies

February 2020 marks the first leap year of the new decade. For stories about babies born on Saturday, Feb. 29, please call Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center at (480) 728-8000 and ask to have the house supervisor paged.

 

Revolutionary Trial Tests Non-Surgical Treatment for Common Heart Condition

Eighty-seven year old Peoria man, Carol Jackson, was the first in the Southwestern U.S. to undergo a groundbreaking heart procedure to treat a common cardiac condition that affects one in 30 Americans over the age of 65. Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is part of a national study—called the TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial—testing this minimally invasive non-surgical procedure.  If proven successful, the procedure will replace invasive heart surgery and become the new standard of care for leaky tricuspid valves. For more information, or to interview Jackson and his physician, please call (602) 406-4734.

 

Netflix Series Brings Light to Concussion Risks in Competitive Cheerleading

The popular Netflix docu-series CHEER is brining attention to the extreme athleticism and constant risk of injury that collegiate cheerleaders face on the mat. Javier Cardenas, MD, neurologist and director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center, is available to discuss the concussion rate among cheerleaders and why head injuries can be common in non-contact sports. He can also discuss concussion signs and symptoms of which parents and athletes should be aware. To learn more or schedule interviews with a doctor and patient, please call (602) 406-4734.

 

February is American Heart Month: Valley Woman Makes Remarkable Recovery After Emergency C-Section Due to Rare Heart Condition

When a Valley woman arrived to the labor and delivery triage unit at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, she never imagined what happened next. At 34 weeks pregnant, Lupita Garcia-Zarate had a dangerously high heartrate. Hospital staff rushed to action, and Lupita was taken for an emergency C-section. During the delivery, Lupita went into cardiac arrest and her daughter, Maia, was born needing immediate resuscitation. The family’s incredible journey didn’t end there. Lupita’s heart condition worsened to the point of potentially needing a heart transplant, and Maia spent 19 days in the hospital’s nursery intensive care unit. Thankfully, a heart transplant was not needed, and after a long recovery period, Lupita and her husband Samuel Higuera are ready to share their family’s remarkable story. The Garcia-Zarate family will be available for interviews on Monday, Feb. 17 at Mercy Gilbert. Please call (602) 406-3312 to schedule.

 

Despite High Concussion Risk, Hockey is Booming in Arizona

Hockey’s growing popularity in Arizona is a stark contrast to high school football, which has seen sharply declining participation numbers attributed to concussion concerns among parents and teens. With hockey season in full swing, Taro Kaibara, MD, a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center, is available to discuss the statistics regarding this newsworthy trend. An avid hockey player himself, Dr. Kaibara can also discuss safety tips to prevent traumatic brain injuries while playing hockey. Please call 602-406-4734 to schedule an interview.