Expert heart care at TriStar Health helps two chaplains return to the bedside

In the fall of 2024, Pastor Willie Acevedo walked a lost patient to the radiology waiting room at TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center. Although he had been to that waiting room hundreds of times before and seen the sign about cardiac calcium scoring screenings, that day felt different. He wasn’t experiencing any symptoms and didn’t have a family history of heart disease, but he felt led to complete the simple heart screening.

A few weeks later, Pastor Willie completed the screening, and he followed up with a cardiologist at Tennessee Heart and Vascular. He was surprised to learn that his calcium score was extremely high, and he had five major blockages in his arteries. He was referred to TriStar Centennial Medical Center where he had heart bypass surgery on October 23, 2024.  

“I think it’s God’s grace that I’m here,” said Pastor Willie. “I still must serve a purpose.” 

While recovering in the hospital, Pastor Willie was visited by his good friend and TriStar Centennial chaplain, Allen Tanner. After the encouraging visit, Pastor Willie continued his recovery and made a full return to his hospital duties. Little did Chaplain Tanner know, he would soon be experiencing his own cardiac emergency.

On November 15, Chaplain Tanner was visiting the administrative offices at TriStar Centennial Medical Center. He made a quick stop by Tom Ozburn’s office to say hello. As the chief executive officer, Tom was on his way to a meeting, but he noticed Chaplain Tanner seemed different. Chaplain Tanner said he had been feeling fatigued lately, but he assumed it was nothing to worry about.

Tom made sure Chaplain Tanner made it to the emergency room where the team performed a nuclear stress test, an echocardiogram and an angiogram CT scan. While those results came back normal, the cardiology team at TriStar Centennial recommended a heart cath after Chaplain Tanner was still not feeling right. The team found Chaplain Allen was 99% blocked in one artery and 86% blocked in three other arteries which led to an emergency quadruple bypass surgery.

“It’s a miracle how God used the doctors and surgeons and their gifts they have to restore my body and keep me alive,” said Chaplain Tanner.

Although Chaplain Tanner suffered a small stroke a week later, he is now on the road to recovery. He is attending sessions in outpatient cardiac rehab and working a modified schedule.

Both chaplains have found a new perspective in the work they do each day to meet the spiritual needs of patients and colleagues at their respective hospitals.

“I am very fortunate and very blessed to be here today,” said Chaplain Tanner. “Walking, talking, ministering to others - that is my heart. That is what I am called to do, and apparently God is not done with me yet.”

“I tell patients now who are going through a medical situation with complications or an extensive recovery time, that a positive attitude and, of course, faith, will help them in their recovery,” said Pastor Willie. 

TriStar Health has a network of cardiac specialists across middle Tennessee who provide expert care close to home for patients. For more information go to TriStarHealth.com