At age 68, Hemant M. Shah experienced a cardiac arrest that nearly took his life. He spent 19 days at St. Boniface Hospital, seeing first-hand the compassionate and gentle care you make possible.
Shah was at home with his family in June of 2021, making plans to celebrate Father’s Day when he had what he thought was an upset stomach or indigestion. His wife, Hina, had been a health-care worker for many years at Victoria Hospital. She rushed him to their Emergency Department. Shah then went into cardiac arrest – a Code Blue – and the next thing he remembers is waking up in St. Boniface Hospital’s Cardiac Care Unit after open-heart surgery.
Thanks to expert teams at St. B, Shah is not only alive, he’s thriving – and now shares his story as a member of our Board of Directors. We sat down with Shah and the surgeon who performed his cardiac surgery, Dr. Nitin Ghorpade, to hear what life has been like since.
Hemant, what would you like to say to Dr. Nitin Ghorpade and his team?
Shah: When I was brought into St. Boniface Hospital, my major arteries were 90% blocked. It was serious. I was so blessed that Dr. Ghorpade chose to take my case. Where I’m from, in India, we believe in karma. That’s good karma. My karma sent me my family, and my wife. Then, my karma sent me a brilliant doctor: Dr. Ghorpade. He spoke to me in my native tongue, my language from where I’m from.
It sounds like your first impression was as positive as it could be. Dr. Ghorpade, what stood out to you when meeting Hemant?
Dr. Ghorpade: When I first met Hemant, his case was very complex. After a lot of discussion, we determined that open heart surgery would be the best option, though typically a higher-risk procedure. He recovered very well. You know, a patient’s attitude towards life plays a huge role in their recovery. Hemant Shah is a man full of life. He has a very positive outlook and a strong family foundation full of support.
We also, funny enough, grew up in the same part of India. I found out he even speaks my particular language! That really connected with me – here is a guy all the way in Canada who speaks the same language as me.
With his new lease on life, I’m positive he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure that people benefit from St. B and our care. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Hemant, what is your life like today?
Shah: My life is great. I have a loving family, grandkids, and my philanthropy has become a family effort. I have joined the Board of Directors for the Foundation and am always telling my story any chance I get. I want to give back to the people who gave me my life. And I have St. Boniface Hospital to thank for all this; for being my re-birth place.
Hemant’s case was obviously very complex, Dr. Ghorpade. Do you see cases like this very often here?
Dr. Ghorpade: So, we are the only cardiac surgery centre for the whole province, as well as Northwestern Ontario and parts of Nunavut. We see many patients who have very complicated cardiac issues since we’re best equipped to handle these complex cases. While Hemant’s case is unique, at the same time, it’s not. We offer care to people who are very high-risk.
What has been your favourite memory or moment since your life was saved at St. B?
Shah: I have two answers. My favourite memory has to be when I reached out to the Foundation to see how I could give back. My favourite moments are how my grandkids now recognize Dr. Ghorpade for saving my life. There’s a photo of him and I that’s framed at my house. They walk by it when they visit and say, “That’s the doctor that saved grandfather’s life.” They’re young, but they remember Dr. Ghorpade.
Dr. Ghorpade: I have so much respect for Hemant as an individual. The work he’s been doing here for so many decades is impressive. I admire his work, just as he admires mine. I see a passion in him for his work, just as I have a passion for surgery. Honestly, I feel he could have been a good cardiac surgeon, too. *chuckles*
What would you both say to a Foundation donor?
Shah: St. Boniface Hospital is the Cardiac Centre of Excellence. You can’t find that anywhere else in Manitoba. The best care, the best doctors, the best team. To those who already donate, thank you. To those who are considering it, think about it. Donors saved my life. They do so much to help our community, and now, our community can give back to them.
Dr. Ghorpade: I would say that if anyone in our province or the surrounding areas needs world-class cardiac care, the only place for them is St. Boniface Hospital. It’s as simple as that. If you want yourself, your family, or your neighbour to have that level of care, we need support. We need to keep moving forward and providing even better care. If you haven’t already and are able to, please consider making a gift.