Angels Walk Among Us: The Collins Family Story

“The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital rocks!”

When Stacy Bush, Director of Patient Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital, read the first line of Tricia Collins’ email she couldn’t help but smile. Those are exactly the words she wants to hear from the thousands of patients who place their trust – and their lives – in the hands of BayCare and St. Joseph’s Hospitals. Turns out, Tricia and her husband Mark had a lot more to share about their St. Joseph’s experience.

After spending over four decades in mortgage banking and finance, Mark Collins was easing his way into retirement and working part-time as a real estate agent. His wife Tricia had traded in the hectic pace of nursing to work for a health insurance company.

With five children between them, four grandchildren, and one more on the way, they were enjoying the slower pace of life and time spent with family.

In fact, they were just about to take two of their young granddaughters on a trip to Orlando when Mark woke from a nap with an unusual ache in his chest and arm. Mark believed he might be able to walk it off, but the pain didn’t subside.

Her years in the Cardiac ICU told Tricia this was probably not something to ignore, and they made their way to their local hospital, BayCare Wesley Chapel. Although his EKG was normal, Mark’s bloodwork showed his cardiac enzymes were extremely elevated and continued to rise, and he was transferred to the St. Joseph’s Heart & Vascular Institute where he would undergo a cardiac catheterization.

Tricia’s years of training helped her remain calm and Mark initially felt better with no further pain. She started to think perhaps all was well after all. But the results of the catheterization were not good. Mark had 70% blockage in all five of his heart vessels and would require surgery to repair the extensive damage to his heart.

“At that point, I sort of just lost it, thinking the worst. I was alone in the waiting room crying my eyes out when the first of many angels appeared. Jean, the transporter, saw I was upset and gave me the biggest hug while I sobbed.  He then guided me through the hallway maze to the CVICU so I could see my husband,” shares Tricia.

With years of experience in Cardiac ICU and a diverse nursing background, Tricia knew exactly what to expect from her husband’s treatment. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of hospital care, she recognized the many variables that can affect a patient’s experience. At St. Joseph’s Hospital, however, Tricia was continually reassured by the seamless communication, attention to detail, and exceptional professionalism of the entire team. Throughout their stay, she observed nothing but the highest standards of care for which she was thoroughly impressed and deeply grateful.

 “I cannot say enough great things about the care my husband received before AND after his heart surgery by the CVICU,” says a grateful Tricia.

Tricia is quick to acknowledge the many additional “angels” – nurses and doctors and techs – who cared for her as much as they cared for her husband.

“When you go through a health crisis, it isn’t just the patient going through it. Their loved ones need support too.  Everyone I encountered could not have been more professional, competent, and compassionate,” continues Tricia. “I owe each and every one of them my heartfelt appreciation.”

Thanks to all of those angels, Mark’s surgery was a complete success.  After almost a month away from home, he is happy to be recovering well and focusing on his continued good health. He now takes daily walks around his neighborhood in addition to the seven plus miles a day he spends on the stationary bike and treadmill at cardiac rehab. And he and Tricia plan to make good use of their gym membership.

“I want to be healthy for my kids, healthy for my grandkids. I want to take my granddaughters on that trip to Orlando. I am blessed and grateful to have a place like St. Joseph’s with the expertise needed to save my life so close to home,” explains Mark.

On one of his follow up visits with his surgeon, Dr. Michael Bradner, Mark said, “You saved my life, how can I ever thank you?” Dr. Bradner humbly replied, “You just did.”

 But Mark felt compelled to do more.

“What St. Joseph’s did for me, how they treated Tricia through all of it, it was truly remarkable. I was in the best hands at the best place,” says Mark.

Adds Tricia, “Because of my professional background, I was always watching everything very closely. In every situation, in every conversation, the competence and confidence and compassion of everyone we encountered was world-class.”

Their experience at St. Joseph’s Hospital inspired the Collins family to look beyond gratitude and consider how they could give back. Mark and Tricia realized that the exceptional care they received was made possible by the generosity of others who support the Hospital’s mission. They encourage everyone whose lives have been touched by St. Joseph’s to join them—whether through philanthropy, volunteering, or sharing their story—so that more families can benefit from the expertise, compassion, and hope found within our walls. Together, we can ensure that the angels at St. Joseph’s continuing to make a life-saving difference for years to come.