COO Mark Wimley, EvergreenHealth Notable Executive

Mark Wimley, COO EvergreehHealth
Medical Group 

"Well Together Blog"

 2/26/2024

At EvergreenHealth, we provide clinically sophisticated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for heart disease and heart attack – and we're recognized by Healthgrades as a national leader in heart care. I'm proud to work for an organization that provides this level of care. And, in fact, I'm here and healthy today as a result of it. 

I was 42 and fit in 2016 when I had a heart attack at a Totem Lake gym. For several years, I'd been leading an informal workout group with other EvergreenHealth staff members and physicians. While finishing a set of 15 reps of a burpee pull-up combo, I suddenly felt intense pain in my right chest. I thought maybe I'd torn my pectoral muscle or was experiencing gastroesophageal reflux. I wasn't thinking about my heart. 

I approached Dr. Jeff Tomlin and described my symptoms. When I mentioned a squeezing sensation, Dr. Tomlin quickly took me to his truck and drove me to our Kirkland Emergency Department (ED). An EKG confirmed that I was experiencing a heart attack. Two stents later, I was recovering in the ICU and feeling pretty good when I had a second heart attack. 

I went to the Cath Lab for some additional work, and then returned to my room. A day and a half later, I went home to recuperate. Many people take extended time to recover at home but I wanted to return to work quickly. Dr. Tomlin, ever thoughtful, came to my office every afternoon and sent me home early.

Like many of our patients, I can't say enough about the care I received in the ED, Cath Lab and ICU, and from my primary care physician, Pratima Sharma, MD – as well as kind attention from colleagues who stayed with me in the ED, visited me in the ICU, and offered practical support: one of our ENT physicians made a lasagna dinner for my family and personally delivered it to my home. 

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation program gave me the tools and confidence to continue an active life. Since my recovery, I've completed 12 Spartan obstacle course races and multiple half marathons. Thanks to the great care I received here, the heart attack hasn't slowed me down. I loved this place before my heart attack and I love it even more now.

 American Heart Month serves as a yearly reminder to assess one's cardiovascular health. This year, the national focus is on women, many of whom are experiencing unacceptable and avoidable heart-related illness and death. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of U.S. women do not recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. 

And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that heart-health disparities widen when woven with race, ethnicity and social factors. At EvergreenHealth, it's part of our organizational commitment to bridge these and other gaps – to provide preventive, timely and effective care for all people. I'm proud to call this my professional home.

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