At NMC Health, where two busy highways cross, people come from all directions to seek answers and recover. And standing right at that intersection, where compassion and healing meet, is a man who truly cares for your heart.
For over two years, Jonny has served as coordinator of NMC Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, helping people recover and get stronger after heart problems. Before that, he spent many years in EMS, emergency care, and intensive care rushing to help people in their worst moments. “It was important work,” he says. “As rewarding as that was, I never got to see how their story ended. Now I get to build relationships and walk with them all the way through their healing.”
Cheering on the comebacks
Cardiac rehab gives you the tools to live a higher quality of life, and recover better after a heart attack or heart surgery.
Jonny doesn’t just check blood pressure or run tests. He builds friendships. He cheers people on as they take on more step, one more breath, one more try.
“I love watching patients do more than they thought they could,” he says. “That’s the best part.”
Walking the walk - for a cause
Jonny recently joined the board for the Heart Walk, a special event that brings the whole community together. The Heart Walk raises money for the American Heart Association (AHA), which helps fund big-time research, some of it leading to Nobel Prizes.
“The Heart Walk is more than just a walk,” he explains. “It’s how we raise money to help save lives. The research it supports really matters.”
This year, the Heart Walk will be held Saturday, June 21, at Equity Bank Stadium in Wichita (formerly Riverfront Stadium). Doors open at 8 am and the walk begins at 9 am. NMC Health employees and friends will be raising funds and walking. You can join the NMC Health team!
A personal mission
This work hits close to home for Jonny. He’s seen loved ones go through tough times with heart disease. He knows how it can change a person’s life, and affect the whole family.
That’s why he believes in the Heart Walk and cardiac rehab so strongly. “They both push for healthy habits, like staying active. And they both remind people they’re not alone.”
At the Heart Walk, people come together to show love and support. And everywhere you look, there’s hope.
His wish for you
If there’s one (okay, two) things he wishes everyone knew about heart health, it’s this:
- You have more control over your heart health than you think. Small changes in how you eat and move can make a big difference.
- If you ever have heart surgery or a heart scare, don’t skip cardiac rehab when your doctor suggests it. “It’s so much more than just exercise,” he says. “It’s about learning, growing, and healing your whole self.”
Thanks to Jonny’s hard work and caring spirit, many people feel stronger, happier, and more hopeful. He has a heart for helping others – and he’s making the world a healthier place, one step at a time.
