A journey of healing and hope

Steve Hartman is a patient services representative at Aurora Medical Center – Grafton. But the smiling, confident teammate that patients see today is extremely different from the person who first arrived as a patient himself more than a decade ago.

An undiagnosed virus had left Hartman with an enlarged heart, congestive heart failure and life-threatening arrythmias.

“I was considered disabled, could no longer work full time and had to move back in with my parents,” he recalls. “Physically and mentally, I was below rock bottom. Then, an Aurora Health Care doctor changed everything.”

Dr. Mohamed Djelmami-Hani, an electrophysiologist at Aurora Health Care, recommended Hartman undergo ablation and cardioverter defibrillator implantation (ICD) to help synchronize his heart.

“Dr. Hani clearly laid out a plan for what he would do and what we could accomplish together,” Hartman says. “He took the time to go over everything with my mother, the most important person in my life. She passed away a few years ago, but I will never forget the comfort Dr. Hani provided her.”

Hartman’s ejection fraction, the amount of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each heartbeat, was 15%. According to the American Heart Association, a normal ejection fraction is between 55% and 70%.

“Neither the doctors, my family or I knew if I would live very long,” Hartman says. “But Dr. Hani not only implanted the ICD – he planted a seed of hope. His care and my dedication to heart health helped that seed sprout. As my condition improved, I began to hope, dream and live again. My next goal was to live fully.”

He homed in on managing his exercising and nutrition, and over the years, his ejection fraction has risen to 45%. Hartman kept pushing onward and upward, attaining his Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and resuming work full time as a patient services representative in the Aurora Medical Center – Grafton emergency department. He then joined the cardiology/electrophysiology team, realizing his dream of serving heart patients like himself.

“It’s very rewarding to see a patient’s quality of life transform,” says Dr. Hani. “Now being able to professionally work alongside Steve and serve patients is a true testament to him and his care.”

Hartman felt like he regained an independent life that he feared was gone forever. “I was ecstatic to join Dr. Hani in a professional capacity after he helped me heal and come back from the direst of circumstances.”

Hartman says he is truly blessed to have found a career that combines his mission and passion, and he knows his mom would be proud he has gone into health care and is serving others.

“I feel her presence every day,” he says. “I also feel an intimate connection to the patients I serve. I know what it’s like to precariously balance between life and death. Make no mistake, these people are experiencing trauma. I’m so proud to deliver the highest level of care to them.”

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