Cardiac and Thoriacic Surgery Associates

 
Locations In:

Denver, Colorado Springs, and Durango

 
Phone:

800-204-9896

 

 


Hours
:

Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 4:30pm

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Patient Testimonials

 

Sheldon Perlmutter

Patient of Dr. Kim

I wanted to personally thank you for all you have done for me. I realize the surgery for the tricuspid valve replacement was much more difficult than you planned and I thank you for proceeding without hesitation. Also, your follow up care was second to none! Your devotion to your job is more than I have ever seen from any doctor, including all the ones I have had in Detroit, Rockford and Denver. Thank you again!

Patient of Dr. Kim

Time goes way too swiftly!! October 13 marks five years since the quintuple that kept my life together. Gratitude is a huge part of our lives – and has been since that long, long Saturday. Thank you, Thank you for all you have done. The heart is doing well. We are forever grateful.

Patient of Dr. Kim

I thank you all for a new lease on life.

Patient of Dr. Kim

You replaced my aortic valve on January 28. By all accounts, you have a great reputation and the surgery you performed on me was no exception. Everyone I have talked to says you did masterful work. My recovery is going very nicely. I I just want to than you for saving my life. I can think of no one who does more important work, or who does it as well as you. My family, friends, and I will always be deeply appreciative of you. And anytime you see me, I will continue to have that big smile on my face.

Patient of Dr. Rudersdorf

I wanted to thank you for fixing my pericardial rupture and heart herniation back in June of 2018. I am the skydiver who hit the airplane hangar. In retrospect it wasn't the best way to come to a stop. Luckily you were on call and you were able to put me back together again and save my life. I will always be grateful for what you did for me and the way you took care of my family. I am still rehabbing my body so I don't have the legs yet to max out my heart rate but that should happen by the summer as I intend to return to racing triathlons again. I figured that would allow me to prove to myself that I am back. And I figured if you took the time and effort to fix my heart then I should make the effort to use it to its maximum capacity. Thank you.

Steven Liebowitz

My cardiologist diagnosed me with a severely leaking aortic valve, and recommended surgery. After extensive research, I noted Dr. Mehall was highly recommended. My wife and I met Dr. Mehall, and he spent a great deal of time explaining the medical issues and options...noting surgical intervention would be required sooner than later. Dr. Mehall conducted a port access open heart surgery to replace the damaged aortic valve with a bovine replacement valve. The successful surgery took place Sept. 27, 2018, and I was released one week later. Dr. Mehall and his staff were attentive and available 24/7. If you live anywhere near Colorado Springs, and need heart surgery, I highly recommend Dr. Mehall!

Wendell “Dan” Danielson

My wife and I first met Doctor Betty Kim on October 11, 2013. When it became clear I would need by-pass surgery Doctor Simpfendorfer, my cardiologist, strongly recommended Dr Kim. We met her on Friday afternoon. She had surgeries scheduled through the following Thursday but sensing I was anxious to have the procedure as quickly as possible she suggested Saturday morning. Shortly after our discussion I was admitted to the cardiac floor at Penrose Hospital.

I recall feeling badly that she and the team had to do surgery on Saturday morning but they assured me it was fine with them. From that moment to the present it has been a journey we never could have anticipated. In a word, we are extremely grateful for the ongoing care we continue to receive.

On Saturday Dr Kim performed quintuple heart by-pass. Before the surgery I told her she was God’s gift to us at a critical time. That has not changed.

We had friends, literally around the world, praying for Dr Kim that the surgery would go well and healing would come. It did and it has.

The surgery lasted nine hours due to all that needed to be done. That included harvesting of leg vein and mammary artery, ablation for atrial fibrillation, removal of the left atrial appendage and five by-passes.

The fragility of my heart tissues called for extreme care. Dr Kim and her team more than met the challenge. My waiting family was updated during the procedure.

I was in the ICU for four days and the cardiac floor an additional six days. When I returned home Dr Kim and her staff were in frequent contact with my wife and visiting nurses. During that time I experienced shortness of breath so we returned to the hospital for further tests. I had developed a small pulmonary embolism and fluid around the lungs which they treated successfully.

During my hospital stay Dr Kim stopped by my room each morning when she wasn’t in surgery and in the evening before leaving the hospital. I was deeply appreciative of these contacts.

The care was beyond what we could have hoped for. After the ICU and cardiac floor I was released to go home. That started the nursing and physical therapist treatments.

When they determined I was ready and off oxygen I went to cardiac rehab. That, too, continues to be a rewarding experience with a dedicated, professional staff. The rehab will end shortly and I’ll be back to the gym and “normal” activity ••• whatever that may be for a 77 year old after by-pass!

When I share with friends my time with Dr Kim and her staff they are envious. With good reason. I am an impatient patient so their extra time and care were eagerly accepted.

Thank you Dr Kim and staff, you have come into our lives at a critical time. Obviously what you have done was literally life changing and we are forever in your debt.

My wife and I have offered “thank yous” but that seems like so little for doing so much. That said, here it comes again ••• thank you, thank you, thank you. We are way beyond grateful.

God bless you all.
Wendell “Dan” Danielson – Chaplain (COL) US Army, Ret

Marianna

Hi Patrick,

I feel so profoundly happy that I just had to reach out to you and express how thankful and grateful I am to you for my life…the surgical procedure for my Coarctation of the Aorta was my miracle.

From the very first moment I met you in the ER and you explained the birth defect to me, I felt then I was in good hands. Then as the days progressed and the surgery day came & went, I felt that God’s hand had worked divinely through you to bring me healing.

You have such a comforting touch and I could feel your deep concern and amazement that I could still be alive. Right??!! So thank you! (I say you have the nest bedside manner ever!!)

You came into my life just at the right time to perform a miracle…I look at it as “divine timing” – Really, it’s nothing short of amazing & wonderful!!!

You saved my life, Patrick! Thank you!

I mean, really, God used you powerfully to bring healing, health, and wholeness to me. But not just physically, but spiritually.

This whole experience has taken me on a brand new joyful spiritual journey. I’ve always been a deeply spiritual person, and have always known that God was watching over my life, but this has been almost overwhelming and deeply profound…and I am so grateful to you and to God. So thank your for being open to God working through you and allowing God’s hand to work through your hands. You are such a blessing to me and I bless you!

PS – Please tell all of your staff for me thank you as well, they all were so kind and nice to me.

Marianna, Patient of Dr. Rudersdorf

Jason, Jenna, and Violet Walker

Dr. Mehall:
Please let me and my wife (Donna), extend our deepest appreciation, for the open heart surgery you performed on her on 18 April, 2014. You and your team were exemplary. Prior to the surgery, you showed extreme compassion, kindness and was extremely courteous towards me and Donna, in explaining why specific heart problems (new valve, Aortic Artery repair etc.), had to be resolved, in order to extend my wife’s way of life. I truly appreciate your patience, during my anxieties, and helping me to understand the very nature of this critical procedure. You did an outstanding job, and both of us commend you for your knowledge and surgical skills. They are remarkable. If I ever have to undergo any procedure, dealing with any cardio ailment, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask you to perform the procedure. You’re a credit to the profession. Please thank your wonderful surgical staff, as well as Kelly, Lauren, Sarah and Derrick for being understanding, compassionate and caring, during the stressful times, my wife and I went through. Her recovery is remarkable (She’s recuperating fast). I’ve forwarded correspondence to the CEO of the hospital, indicating that you and your staff, as well as the CVU and ICU personnel, should receive some type of commendation, for your professionalism. I only wish more patients and the public would appreciate the sacrifices medical personnel go through, so others can live the prosperous life they choose. Dr. Mehall, Donna and I thank you and we appreciate you as a wonderful human being; and many thanks to your family, who understand the mission you’ve undertaken. They deserve credit as well. Dr. Mehall, thank you and God Bless you.

Sincerely,
Frank & Donna Tennyson
Frank Tennyson

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dear Dr. Mehall,

It would not be a remembrance of my husband’s third year anniversary of his triple by-pass without the continued appreciation of your medical skills. Your gifts will always be a part of what he was given by you to each and every day. He continues to do well.

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dear Dr. Mehall,

One year ago on the 11th of this month you operated on me and replaced two heart valves, repaired a third valve and installed a triple bypass. God has given you a wonderful gift and you use it well. Life is such a precious thing and you both saved mine and have given me an extension on my life. With all the money in the world you cannot buy an extension on your life; someone must give it to you.

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dr. Mehall,

Both my wife and I would like you to know how very impressed and grateful we are for the excellent care and treatment we received at Penrose-St. Francis Hospital. The operation and post-op recovery process went just as you had explained in our pre-op meeting.

You and the staff at Penrose Hospital certainly went beyond professionalism during my hospital stay! You and the management of the hospital should be commended for hiring people who really do care about their patients. We consider each and every one of them to be good friends. Merely saying, “Thank You!” just does not seem adequate.

I am currently nearing completion of Phase II cardiac rehabilitation at St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City. The staff supervising my rehab exercise are also very dedicated and caring individuals. Just as you had predicated back in late August, it looks like I ill complete Phase II around Thanksgiving.

I would hope that we meet again it will be under different circumstances. Please know that we will always be in your debt.

Patient of Dr. Mehall

CTSA Patient

Just a little line or two, to bring my warmest thanks to you!

On National Doctor’s Day, thanks for your commitment to a demanding field. Thanks to your super skill, my recovery is “moo”ving right along!

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dr. Mehall and staff,

I really appreciate your superior efforts on my behalf. My recovery is going so well, you and your team must have done a superior job! Thank you!

I also appreciate the manner in which my post-operation care was handled. I belive it was exceptional and I never had anything but good feelings about the care.

Well done to all involved!

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dear Dr. Mehall,

In October 2012 you preformed a quadruple by-pass surgery on me. For the next two years, on the anniversary of that surgery, I have celebrated by hiking in the Cripple Creek area. Now it has been almost three years and I want you to know that I am still celebrating and I cannot thank you enough! I feel healthy and as exuberant.

Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center

CTSA,

Your sponsorship is greatly appreciated. The success of PPTRC is in correlation to your support. Thank You!

Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dear Dr. Mehall,

Thank you for saving my husband’s life twice! The first was his aortic valve replacement in December 2013. The second surgery was February 2015. You had alerted us to a shadow that you observed on one of his cardiac test showed a cyst in his pancreas. the mass was successfully removed and the pathology revealed that it did, indeed, have cancer cells. Because it was found early, thanks to you, the prognosis looks very good.

I know this is your job, but I wanted you to know how very grateful we are to you.

May God continue to bless you and your work.

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Mary

There really are no words to thank you enough for all you’ve done for me. I thank God for you and that you were there the night of Nov. 27th. Thank you for saving my life. May God bless you always!

Thank you for praying with me that night – that meant so much to me.

I am grateful to all the people who helped in the OR. Everyone was so wonderful to me and to all my family. My family thanks you so much too.

Thank you so much.

Mary, Patient of Dr. Rudersdorf

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dr. Mehall

A quick note to express my gratitude for your care and expertise. I feel so blessed to have had you for my surgeon. Your gift and talent is allowing me to heal faster and without a horrible scar – and for that I am truly grateful.

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dr. Mehall,

Thank you so much for your care, compassion, and amazing handy work with my surgery! Thank you for the outstanding care before, during, and after surgery! I feel very blessed to have landed in your hands as a patient. Hands down you are the best, thank you!

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dear Dr. Mehall and CTSA staff,

“A BIG THANK YOU” for all your care and good work. You are a wonderful doctor and your staff is kind and caring!

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Dr. Mehall,

Thank you for your talent, skill, and for treating me like a person, not a patient!! Your thoughtfulness meant so much.

Patient of Dr. Mehall

Carmen Hernandez

Dr. Rudersdorf saved my life, literally, and I am very grateful.

Carmen Hernandez

Joel Chavez

Your kindness, empathy, & professionalism you showed my family will always be treasured.

Joel Chavez & Family, Patient of Dr. Rudersdorf

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CTSA provides the highest quality care and best outcomes for patients with diseases of the heart, lungs, and chest. We provide a wide array of surgical care for cardiopulmonary disease, including unique cutting edge procedures not offered elsewhere, with top tier patient outcomes.

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