Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '25

Page 8, Martin Downs

cLeveLand cLinic Martin HeaLtH neWs

Heart Surgery Brings Quality Three days after his operation, he was discharged from the
hospital. Three months later he was back on the golf course.
Of Life For Older Patient “This was my goal all the way through,” Erickson says.
“It was a miracle to me.”
At 89 years old, Curtis Erickson says he still has a lot of Savage says a team approach is key to successful
living left to do. The avid golfer intends to keep enjoying outcomes in heart surgery. It is important to empower
the game with friends while also spending time with his patients by making recommendations and involving them
beloved family which includes five – soon to be seven – in the decision-making process.
great-grandchildren. “You have to be motivated to do this,” he says. “It’s
“Life couldn’t be any better,” Curtis says. not easy. I tell patients that it’s going to be hard, but you
It is exactly this outlook that Edward Savage, M.D., a can get through this, and you can’t give up. You have
cardiothoracic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Martin North to devote energy to recovering. You have to eat, follow
Hospital, looks for in patients for whom he may recommend instructions and get out of bed.”
heart surgery. Savage was hesitant initially to recommend surgery since He adds that most of his patients are usually “on the
“Determinants for being a candidate for heart surgery are Erickson had reduced heart function and also had undergone road to complete recovery” within a few weeks.
functional and physical status, not necessarily chronological heart surgery 10 years prior to have a valve replaced. “It turned out just wonderful for me. I’m so glad
age,” Dr. Savage says. “But he was very motivated and functionally in good Cleveland Clinic is here,” Erickson says. After living
When Erickson was referred to Savage for coronary status,” Savage says. “For him, 89 wasn’t an age, either. in many different cities during his career in school
bypass surgery last year, he was in overall good health He had all these other things to do and was not ready to photography, he moved to the Stuart area in 1981. For
despite his age and had the will to get through the surgery throw in the towel. He wanted to feel better to do the things the past eight years he and his companion, Vicky, have
to feel better. he wanted to do.” been splitting their time between Florida and Michigan.
“His condition was an impediment to how he wanted his So, on April 5, 2023, Erickson underwent open-heart “I feel very blessed.”
life to be,” Savage says. “He was a motivated guy.” surgery at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital. To make an appointment with Dr. Savage or another
Erickson had been dealing with shortness of breath, chest Though he was nervous, he said he was shocked at cardiovascular specialist at Cleveland Clinic in Florida,
pain, fatigue and significantly reduced heart function when “how calm and reassured I felt when I went down (to the call (877) 463-2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/
his cardiologist referred him to Savage. He had coronary operating room).” Heart to learn more.
artery disease and was not a candidate for stents. His only “Dr. Savage has a wonderful way about him,” Erickson
treatment option was open-heart bypass surgery. says. “He gives you so much confidence.”
cLub neWs

Finding Female Ancestors Idiot’s Guide to Online Genealogy, Finding Your Famous and Zoom register at mcgsfl.org/events. (Please note: The Cummings
Infamous Ancestors and Digitizing Your Family History. She
Library is a temporary change of venue for our February and
With The Martin County also edited the sixth edition of the Genealogist’s Handbook March meetings; we’ll return to the Blake Library in April.)
Genealogical Society for New England Research. The Martin County Genealogical Society offers a variety
Free and open to the public, the meeting is at the Peter and
of services in the Genealogy Room at the Blake Library
Julie Cummings Library, 2551 S.W. Matheson Ave., Palm in Stuart including an extensive research library, access
Although women comprise half of your ancestry, their lives City from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, March 21. The meeting begins to several genealogy websites and assistance from MCGS
and experiences – and even complete names – are often absent with a social time followed by a brief business meeting. The volunteers. For more information about membership,
in written history. If they survive, however, diaries, letters, presentation, broadcast via Zoom, is at 2 p.m. To attend on activities and services go to mcgsfl.org.
account books, family Bibles, samplers and organization
records can reveal more about a woman’s daily life than any
government document. During the Martin County Genealogical
Society’s March meeting at the Cummings Library in Palm
City, professional genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will present
“Researching Women in Archives,” via Zoom. She will discuss
how we can hit genealogical gold by using these unique records
and manuscripts to piece together a family story.
Senior genealogist at American Ancestors New England
Historic Genealogical Society, McClure is a nationally
recognized professional genealogist and lecturer. Before
joining American Ancestors in 2006, she ran her own
genealogical business. She has been a contributing editor and
writer for several genealogy and history magazines, and has
written 12 books, including the award-winning The Complete

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