Our Patients

Songs from the Heart — Patient Thanks Heart Center Nurse with Singing Telegram
Bill Ropp

May, 2015

Physicians: Ishwara Bhat, MD

Every year, the Lighthouse Chorus in Niles sends barbershop quartets to deliver “singing valentines” to lucky recipients. Bill Ropp, a longtime chorus member, had sent one such musical gift to his wife, Brenda, in the past, but this year, he decided to brighten the day of someone else who made a difference in his life – Tracy McKay, RN, of the Heart Center at Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

“I’ve been a patient of Tracy’s for about seven years with my pacemaker,” said Bill, a Berrien Springs resident. “She not only takes care of my pacemaker, she also takes care of me.”

A Lakeland nurse for 20 years, Tracy has special relationships with all of her patients. She first meets them after they initially receive their pacemakers, and they continue to see her every three months. At each appointment, Tracy checks her patients for arrhythmias or any other potential issues, and she will follow up with her patients’ cardiologists when needed.

“I like to say I have 200 grandparents,” Tracy said. “I get very close to them, and a lot of my patients call me with questions before they call their doctors.”

Initially, the quartet looked for Tracy at Lakeland Hospital, Niles. Although Tracy wasn’t at work that day, the group performed a few songs in the hospital lobby to the delight of staff members and visitors. The quartet then moved on to Tracy’s home in Edwardsburg, where they surprised her with a rose, chocolates, and a card signed “from your grateful patient,” before entertaining her with love songs.
“I cried, and it really made my weekend,” Tracy said.

“The quartet was so grateful that Tracy loved it,” Bill said. “I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.”

It was 15 years ago when Bill first received his pacemaker. He had always had a relatively slow heartbeat, but one evening, his heartbeat dropped down to 32 beats per minute. Bill fainted and Brenda rushed him to the Emergency Department in Niles, where he found out that he would need a pacemaker.

Today, in addition to quarterly visits with Tracy, Bill regularly sees his cardiologist, Ishwara Bhat, MD. Bill says he doesn’t even notice he has the pacemaker, but he does say that it gives him added peace of mind.