Dr. William ONeill // Photograph courtesy of Henry Ford Health System
Dr. William ONeill, who specializes in cardiology at Detroits Henry Ford Hospital, developed a method of cardiogenic shock treatment that brought the conditions previously unstable survival rate up to a steady 72%. This year, he received an Excellence in Care Award for the innovation, which has been implemented in hospitals across the country. Find out more about the Excellence in Care Awards here.
Dr. William ONeill: Its an area where you can make a huge and immediate impact you could truly save lives.
There are a lot of people we saved that didnt have any other hope. One young woman went into cardiac arrest 45 minutes after delivering her baby. We used advanced support devices, and she survived. Shes able to be at home and be a mother to her infant daughter.
Providing hope for people who didnt have any. There have been scores of people Ive seen who other doctors told they have no hope, and we gave that to them.
Understanding that youre mortal and that there will be complications. Understanding that sometimes there will be bad outcomes and dealing with that mental stress.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer; its rampant everywhere. [In] Detroit, theres a chronic lack of medical care, uncontrolled hypertension, bad diets, smoking, pollution all those things contribute. So, were seeing people with heart disease in their early 40s and 50s.
The big three: exercise, diet, and controlling cholesterol.
Im honored to accept it on behalf of our team at the Henry Ford Center for Structural Heart Disease and across Henry Ford Health System. You cant practice medicine in isolation these days. In the advanced, pioneering work were doing, having a strong team of people is essential.
Link:
Dr. William O'Neill on the Most Rewarding Parts of Working in Cardiology - Hour Detroit Magazine
