Mercy Health Partners News

The first open heart surgery for Baptist Hospital West, a member of Mercy Health Partners, was performed this morning at the facility located in the Turkey Creek Development in West Knox County.  The patient was a 67-year-old restaurant worker from Hartford, Tennessee.  Benjamin Johns is in stable condition in the ICU after quintuple bypass surgery.

“The case went very well—it felt like a routine surgery,” said cardiothoracic surgeon, Michael Maggart, M.D., who performed the bypass surgery on five vessels.  “What makes it so good is that I’m surrounded by the same team I’ve worked with for many years.”

The open heart program was relocated from the former Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee, which now operates as an outpatient facility, after receiving Certificate of Need (CON) approval from the state.  Many of the clinical staff transferred from the downtown location to both Baptist West and St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Johns was initially taken to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County after experiencing chest pains that would not subside.  He was quickly assessed by the emergency staff and was then sent to Baptist Hospital West where he was admitted by cardiologist, Randall Towne, M.D.  His family says he was aware he would be the first surgery and was not at all apprehensive.

“We were all a bit in awe of it,” said his son, Donovan Dorsey. “He told us he was very excited and proud to be the first patient.  He just wanted to make it through the surgery!”

Johns’ daughter-in-law, Wanda Dorsey, said, “It’s been a wonderful experience, from the moment we walked in the door.  The chaplain met with us, the nurses have been so caring and informative, and the surgeon extremely professional.  We feel so blessed.”

Mercy Heart Services are offered at Baptist Hospital West and St. Mary’s Medical Center.  Both facilities now provide the complete continuum of heart care—from diagnosis, to interventional cardiology, open heart surgery, and rehabilitation.

“This is such a milestone for the hospital,” said David Loving, Administrator of Baptist West. “To see the amount of teamwork and expertise that has come together over the last several months, to lead to this first case today, is just exceptional.”