Penn MedicineReviews of pennmedicine.org

I cannot say enough good things about my experiences with Penn. I have been taking my sister for a long time and now I use them for everything, every need I have. They go beyond my expectations and more. And unfortunately I have a lot of experience with physicians and care. God Bless them! Love them.

I had already undergone extensive testing back home in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and was told I needed open-heart surgery. After researching my options, I chose Penn Medicine and Dr. Yoshida as my doctor of choice. I was scheduled to see him on Monday, October 20. Instead, I ended up in the Penn Medicine Emergency Room on Saturday, October 18 with dangerously high blood pressure — and they kept me. After further evaluation, it was clear that surgery was needed soon. There was an opening on Thursday, October 23, and that’s when the operation was performed. Dr. Yoshida performed a double bypass and an aortic valve replacement, and he did a truly miraculous job. His surgical skill and precision saved my life. His team — Eileen, Lisa, and Lexi — were also exceptional: organized, compassionate, and confident. Their professionalism turned a frightening medical crisis into something I felt I could survive. My recovery took place in the Cardiac Surgery Progressive Care Unit, where several people made a real impact. Fran was consistently outstanding — knowledgeable, attentive, and caring. Dean and I didn’t start off perfectly, but when things became critical, he stepped up and came through. He absolutely earned a place on the A-Team. I also want to recognize Ryan (RN), who was always courteous, respectful, and helpful. Naisha (CNA) was kind, attentive, and made many difficult moments easier with her attitude and professionalism. Maria, the social worker, was supportive, helpful, and reassuring when I needed guidance. Their compassion made a hard hospital stay not only tolerable, but genuinely pleasant at times. I also have to mention Shane, who is a master of calm communication and conflict resolution. At one point, I went over 16 hours with no pain medication, while suffering constant, torturous hiccups every 3–5 seconds. It was physically and mentally exhausting. When the situation reached a breaking point, Shane listened, took control, and resolved it quickly and professionally. During my stay, I experienced ICU delirium — something I later learned can occasionally occur after extended surgeries like mine, which went over 8 hours. It felt more like a dream than anything else. I still don’t know all the details, because I haven’t yet spoken with anyone who witnessed it firsthand. I’ve been told that I became confused, tried to pull out tubes, and insisted I needed to “get the F out of here.” For my own safety, I was restrained so I wouldn’t hurt myself. When I’m able, I would like to hear a first-hand account from the staff who were present, just to understand what happened during that moment. Not every moment was perfect, but most of the staff worked extremely hard, treated me with respect, and truly cared about my recovery. What matters most is this: Penn Medicine performed world-class cardiac surgery, managed serious complications, and saved my life. It has been just a little over a week since surgery, and today I walked half a mile. That says everything about the quality of care I received. To Dr. Yoshida, Eileen, Lisa, Lexi, Fran, Dean, Ryan, Nyisha, Bria, Maria, and the entire PCU team — thank you. I came all the way from Texas for this, and I would absolutely recommend Penn Medicine to anyone needing advanced heart care. I am alive today because of your skill and dedication, and I will never forget it.