“I’m so glad my cardiologist sent me to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. I’m living proof that it’s a great place.”
At 61 years old, Mike Hoffmaster never imagined a little chest discomfort would lead to open heart surgery. An active husband and father of three adult children, who enjoys pickleball and landscaping projects, Mike considered himself healthy.
When he experienced mild chest discomfort and pain in his jaw one day, he didn’t think much of it. However, to be safe, he went to a local emergency department to get checked. While everything appeared normal, his care team encouraged him to follow up with a cardiologist. Mike followed the advice and scheduled an appointment that would ultimately save his life.
A few days after the appointment, Mike and his wife were sitting outside their home in western New Jersey when an eagle landed in a nearby oak tree. It stayed, watching over them silently. After nearly three decades living there, Mike had never seen one before. About 30 minutes later, his phone rang. It was Mike’s cardiologist calling to deliver the news that Mike had a large aortic aneurysm that would require open-heart surgery.
“I’m not the most spiritual person in the world,” Mike said. “But after everything that happened, it felt like the eagle was a sign.”
The diagnosis came as a complete shock. “I was extremely scared. I didn’t have a heart attack. I didn’t collapse. I had no idea this was happening inside me. I really had no obvious warning signs that something was wrong,” he explained.
Trusting his cardiologist’s recommendation, he quickly sought care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), where he was introduced to cardiac surgeon, Frederic Sardari, MD, FACS, Vice Chairman of Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. From their earliest conversations, Mike says he felt reassured. “Dr. Sardari took the time to explain everything in a way that made me feel informed instead of overwhelmed,” Mike said. “That meant a lot when I was walking into something this serious.”
Mike also recalls Dr. Sardari sharing that in more than 30 years of practice, his aneurysm was one of the largest he had seen, a startling realization for someone who otherwise felt healthy and active. “I realize how lucky I am to still be here because I really had almost no symptoms except that little chest pain one day, and I was certain it was indigestion,” Mike added.
“Mike’s story is an important reminder that significant cardiovascular conditions can sometimes develop quietly, even in people who feel healthy and remain active,” shared Dr. Sardari. “Seeking evaluation when something feels different and following through with recommended testing made an important difference in his outcome. We’re grateful to have been part of his care and proud of the multidisciplinary team whose expertise and compassion supported him throughout recovery.”
Following his open-heart surgery, and the placement of an implantable defibrillator, Mike spent time recovering in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), where he remained under close monitoring.
Beyond the Medicine: Appreciation for the Team
Now, when Mike reflects on his experience, he doesn’t talk first about the procedures. He talks about the people. “The doctors and nurses made what was really an unbearable situation much more bearable. I don’t even have enough adjectives anymore to describe the care I received,” Mike said. “I know they’re busy. I know they have so many patients. But they still took the time to explain things, check in, and make sure I was okay.”
Mike remembers being struck not just by the level of expertise around him, but even more by the deep compassion he experienced every day. He vividly remembers the big and small moments that stayed with him, whether it was physicians sitting beside his bed to explain what was happening, nurses checking in constantly or staff making sure he felt supported even on difficult days.
“It wasn’t just the medical care. You could tell they genuinely cared about me as a person,” Mike said. “The kindness and caring, I just can’t say enough,” Mike said. “They never stopped asking ‘How are you?’ ‘Is everything okay?’ ‘What can we do for you?’”
“There are so many more people I wish I could name,” Mike said. “Even though I could not wait to get home, I was actually almost a little sad to leave my nurses and doctors, but every one of them will always hold a special place in my ‘new’ heart.”
Now, Mike is focused on his recovery. A day at a time, he’s gradually increasing his walking and looks forward to eventually returning to pickleball and helping his wife with the landscaping. While he still thinks about the eagle that appeared just before the phone call that changed everything, more than anything, Mike thinks about how grateful he is for the care team that guided him through recovery and for the chance to get back to the life he enjoys.
“I’m so glad my cardiologist sent me to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center,” said Mike. “I’m living proof that it’s a great place.”
About CBMC’s Heart and Vascular Care
No one plans on heart problems, but everyone should have a plan for them. Make a plan for your heart health at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Our multidisciplinary team of experts provide comprehensive, compassionate care. Learn more about our programs and specialties, which include diagnosis, treatment, and continued support for people living with cardiovascular and thoracic conditions.