Nearly 200 Cardiac Research Volunteers Are Honored by St. Francis Hospital for Helping to Pave the Way For Future Research

GREENVALE, N.Y. – As a 23 year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, Tom Melia considered himself in pretty good physical shape. He never felt any of the symptoms of heart disease, but after participating in a cardiac research study at St. Francis Hospital, doctors found he had a 90% blockage in a coronary artery and needed two stents.

The now retired 48-year-old former firefighter from Massapequa was one of nearly 200 research volunteers recently honored at the Hospital’s DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Rehabilitation. Its Director of Research, Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., FACC, FAHA, and its Clinical Director of CT and MRI Services, Jie Jane Cao, M.D., MPH, FACC, credited the volunteers for helping to pave the way for new cardiac technologies and treatment strategies.

Melia said he decided to participate in a Cardiac CT Scan study in October 2005 upon the recommendation of a cousin who works at St. Francis Hospital. The state of the art radiological technique is used to visualize coronary arteries noninvasively with unprecedented clarity. The day after taking the test, he received a call that may have saved his life.

“I was in the field in full firefighter gear, doing research on a rope. I had just climbed up five flights of stairs and was about to go out a window, when I got a call on my cell phone from Dr. Reichek. He said they saw a couple of spots,” said Melia.

The firefighter said he responded half-jokingly, “Does this mean I shouldn’t jump out the window. I didn’t take it seriously because I showed no symptoms.” But it was no joke. After undergoing an angiogram with Richard Shlofmitz, M.D., the Director of the Hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Melia required two stents.

Melia said he feels great since undergoing the procedure, has lost 20 pounds and works out five days a week. He encourages other firefighters to take part in cardiac research studies at St. Francis and shudders to think what would happen if he didn’t take that important first step.

Anyone interested in becoming a cardiac research volunteer can call (516) 629-2037 for more information.

About St. Francis Hospital

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center is New York State’s only specialty designated cardiac center and is the busiest heart center in the Northeast. A recognized leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiac disease, St. Francis Hospital performs more cardiac surgery and interventional cardiac procedures than any other hospital in New York State. A leader in cardiovascular care for more than 50 years, St. Francis Hospital is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHSLI). Contact us at 1.888.HEART.NY or visit us at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com.