In the amazing list of medical miracles in the past 60 years, the heart bypass machine is right at the top. This device was the breakthrough that made possible open-heart surgery and countless other lifesaving medical procedures we now take for granted.
But in 1954, this unproven device was Eau Claire resident Brad Mehrman’s only hope for living past age 3. Born with a hole in his heart, Brad, whose family lived in the Twin Cities, was brought for treatment to the developer of the heart bypass machine, Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, at the University of Minnesota Hospitals.
Brad, the second patient to have the surgery, was the first to survive. With Brad’s father, John, on the operating table next to him, the elder Merhman’s heart pumped for both of them during a 13-hour surgery that was as risky for the father as the son.
Because his parents wanted to spare their son the glare of worldwide publicity surrounding this major medical breakthrough, Brad is sometimes not credited as the first surviving heart bypass patient.
“Not getting the credit is less important for me. I’m more concerned that people remember the risks and sacrifices my dad, and also my mom, made. They didn’t want me put on display for the media. They had a quiet courage,” Brad says.
There’s more to me than that’
If anyone knows the insides of hospitals, it is Brad Mehrman.
Following that history-making surgery, Brad spent much of the rest of his childhood and significant parts of his adult life in hospitals. “In fifth grade I was in the hospital for 20 weeks, more than I was in school,” Brad recalls. “The University of Minnesota, North Memorial, Mayo Clinic Rochester and many other hospitals — I know them well.”
But the quality of care he received often varied widely. With his historymaking medical history, he found that medical staff more often were interested in his past than his current medical needs.
“I carry a disability under my shirt — my heart. But there’s more to me than that. It’s amazing how many clinics, hospitals and insurance companies couldn’t make that connection,” Brad says.
‘I’ve got a winner!
About two years ago, Brad came to Luther Midelfort with symptoms of pneumonia. Because of his heart history, Brad was connected with Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Luther Midelfort cardiologist.
“When I read Brad’s history and realized who he was, I was astonished. This was someone I had read about in a book about the history of cardiac surgery. It was like a part of history walking into my examination room,” Fernandes says.
Brad was equally delighted with his doctor. “He watched and listened closely,” Brad says. “He made it clear that he understood the importance of my medical history for his treatment of me now. It is hard to express how unique this was after all my years in the medical system. He’s my cardiologist, but he sees how my heart affects the rest me. I told my wife, ‘I feel like I’ve won the lottery! I’ve got a winner here!’ ”
‘I’ve got a team working for me’
Brad also has been impressed with the coordination and communication among specialists at Luther Midelfort. Brad puts it this way: “I really feel like I’ve got a team working for me. They talk to each other; they listen to me. After all of the hospitals and clinics I’ve been in, I’m thrilled that I can go to one place, right in my backyard, where I can get it all done.”
Medical history-maker finds the care ...
Date and Time
Saturday Feb 7, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7.
Location
Oakwood Mall
Fees/Admission
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7.
Contact Information
Luther Midelfort's Cardiac Center 715-838-6320
