Donor Spotlight: Bill and Susan Mardock

“I think it was God’s will,” said Bill Mardock. “If you are ever going to have a heart attack, being in the right place at the right time helps out a lot.”

Three years ago, Bill was helping take down his company’s booth after trade show at HyVee Hall in downtown Des Moines when he started to feel weak. He explained that it didn’t really faze him what was happening, and he didn’t think it would be related to a heart attack.

“They put me on a gurney and rushed me across the street to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center,” said Bill.

Within a half an hour after being place on a gurney, Bill underwent a coronary angioplasty, a minimally invasive surgery which a stent is place in the heart through the wrist. Bill said he was very impressed with the surgery and glad he walked away without a big scar.

“They were there quickly and got him taken care of quickly, that’s what we appreciate,” said Susan, Bill’s wife.

“My experience was wonderful,” said Bill. “My care was absolutely personalized to me and the nurses and physicians directed me to do exactly what I needed to do.”

Bill and Susan are also thankful for the nurses, physicians and staff who went above and beyond for them during their stay.

“While I was driving to the hospital, a nurse from the emergency room called me and let me know what I needed to do and where I needed to go, and then sat with me until the doctor got there,” said Susan. “We were being watched and taken care of the whole time.”

As a way to show their appreciation and gratitude towards the nurses and physicians who took care of them, Bill and Susan have made contributions in support of MercyOne Des Moines Cardiac Care for the past few years.

“We are grateful Bill was taken to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and that he is still here today,” said Susan.

“I’m alive today because of MercyOne Des Moines,” said Bill. “Giving back was a simple decision to make.”

Bill and Susan feel others should support MercyOne Des Moines because it’s a way of repaying, in a small way, what MercyOne Des Moines does for our community.

“I’m grateful to be alive and we wanted to continue to give something back for what I received,” said Bill. “You can’t just walk away from something like this after you’re well and not be thankful for what you received when you are not well.”

For more information on how you can support MercyOne Des Moines Cardiac Care, please contact Senior Director of Development Joan Bindel at 515-643-8020 or at jbindel@mercydesmoines.org.

Bill and Susan (center) are grateful to be able to spend time together as a family after Bill’s heart attack.