Chapter Formation
Martha Severt, a heart valve
surgery patient from Bethesda, met with others in late 1975 to explore the formation of an
all-volunteer heart surgery patient support group, under the patronage of Nancy Rich, Program
Director for the American Heart Association's Montgomery County Division. The results of that
meeting proved positive and the planners proceeded with word-of-mouth, newspaper and radio publicity
to enable the recruitment of members.
The first organizational meeting was held in December 1975 at Georgetown University Hospital. The
guest speaker, Dr. Karl B. Absolon, Chief of Surgery for the Washington Hospital Center, discussed
the role of patient visitors in a hospital setting. It was decided to hold monthly support
meetings.
The January meeting featured Dr. Norris H. Weinberg, Ph.D., Director of Psychological Services at
the National Naval Medical Center. His topic covered the qualities of a good cardiac patient visitor and
the importance of the ability to listen to patients.
Following the visit to the area by Mended Hearts, Inc.(MHI) President, Ellnor Gammage, a charter
was approved for the newly formed chapter on March 13, 1976. It was later presented at the July
membership meeting by Regional Chairman Shelton Nixon.
Founding Officers Elected
In anticipation of receiving a charter the following officers were elected at the January 1976 meeting to serve the
first year:
Interestingly, Mr. Gay was the first heart-transplant recipient from the Washington area (done at the University of Virginia Hospital at Charlottesville) and Miss Mercer also served as the Secretary for MHI.
The Patient-Visiting Program
The first patient-visiting seminar was held in May 1976, at Georgetown. In addition to the national training program, prospective members received timely talks by psychiatrist John Dluhy on post-coronary surgery adjustment to daily living, and by cardiovascular surgeon Samir Neimat, Washington Adventist Hospital, who discussed approaches to heart surgery and how Mended Hearts could assist patients.
Prior to the formal visitor-training program, patient visits had begun at Georgetown, Adventist and Bethesda Naval hospitals on a selective basis by Visiting Chairman John Degan, and the officers. After completion of the seminar, visiting was performed by a small cadre of accredited visitors.
Programs were then initiated at the Washington Hospital Center early on and subsequently broadened, commensurate with the availability of sufficient visitors, to include George Washington University Hospital, Howard University Hospital, Veterans Administration Hospital, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Walter Reed Army Hospital, Bethesda Naval Hospital and Prince Georges Hospital.
A membership list appearing in the chapter's October 1976 newsletter indicated there were twenty-six accredited volunteer visitors. As the visiting program grew so did the number of visitors - during the early '90s about sixty accredited visitors appeared on the chapter's roll at any given time.
Membership Growth
Membership growth was rapid. Only seven months after receipt of its charter ninety-six (96) members had joined. By 1985 the chapter had grown to 900 members. In 1987 the chapter received MHI's National Commendation for having achieved a membership of 1,000 - the only chapter to obtain that distinction - it continues to be one of the largest chapters of the 275 throughout the United States and Canada. The following year Northern Virginia Chapter #200 was fashioned out of #94, with the transfer of a cadre of 180 members.
Monthly Meetings
During its first year Georgetown Hospital was host for the chapter's monthly meetings. As the membership increased, meetings were rotated between the Washington Hospital Center and Fairfax Hospital. For many years meetings have been held regularly at Holy Cross Hospital under the sponsorship of cardiologist Allan Kermaier.
Monthly membership meetings have featured presentations by cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, psychologists, dieticians, sleep disorder specialists and others covering stress factors, exercise and a host of other specialties (including a husband/wife Ph.D. team of sexologists - the highest-ever attended meeting). Most importantly new and long-time members have appreciated the opportunity to provide emotional support to each other and be able to "pass it on" to others.
Social Activities
From its beginning the chapter has held annual fall picnics at parks in Montgomery County. Awards and officer installation banquets have likewise been held annually in the month of May and Holiday parties each December. These events have been well-attended by members and guests, providing still other opportunities for "mended" or "mending" hearts to lean on each other.
Accomplishments and Awards
While the chapter's early accomplishments were impressive; they were but the tip of the iceberg. Its dedicated leadership and talented members brought it to new heights, both locally and nationally. Cooperation with the American Heart Association (of which there are five divisions or affiliates in the area) has continued since the chapter's inception. Melvin Stark, a long-time member, was our first coordinator in 1977. Warren Greenberg (who in 2001 was MHI lobbying/legislation chairman), and past presidents Syd Shuman and Joe Amato represent MHI national in congressional lobbying activities for the AHA. The chapter has spawned other national MHI figures; among them former Mid-Atlantic Region directors Dan Holman and Joe Schrotz, Asst. Reg. Dir. Syd Shuman and National Publicity Chairman Bob Gelenter. Syd has also served on several national committees, among them Nominating and Children's Camps. And, with great modesty, your writer, was National President from 1985 to 1989, and still serves as MHI's site planner for annual conventions.
Commendations and Awards
Former Chapter Presidents
President
Vice Presidents
Treasurer
Secretary Martha Severt
Robert Hughes (VA)
Marcia Elias
Ruth Mercer
Rolland Miller (MD)
Arthur Gay, Sr. (DC)
1978
- Commendation - Dr. Edward Lefrak, Fairfax Hospital
- Commendation - Chas. Eldridge, President, Washington Adventist Hospital
- Dedicated Service - Washington Hospital Center
- Chapter Office dedicated at WHC-in memory of V.P. Gene Tison
1982
- Certificate of Merit - Medic Alert
- Commendation - Dr. Jorge Garcia, Washington Hospital Center
- Outstanding Service Award - MHI
- Dedicated Service Award - MHI (National Convention Host)
1983
- Dedicated Service Award - American Heart Assn.
1984
- President's Cup - Runner Up - MHI
1985
- Excellence Award - Capital Ideas Newsletter - MHI
- Significant Contribution Award - Medic Alert
1986
- Commendation - Ten Years Service - MHI
1987
- Special Commendation - 1,000 members - MHI
- Appreciation - Hosts to Mid-Atlantic Workshop - MHI
1989
- President's Cup - Honorable Mention - MHI
- Outstanding Service
- Community Service Award - Montgomery County
1990
- Community Service Award - Montgomery County
1991
- Community Service Award - Montgomery County
- Commendation - Fifteen Years Service - MHI
1992
- Appreciation Award - Price Georges County Hospital Center
1996
- Commendation - Twenty Years Service - MHI
1999
- Participation Appreciation Award - Washington Hospital Center
2000
- Commendation - Twenty-Five Years Service, MHI
1976-77
Martha Severt
1987-89
Laura Hargis
2000-01
Dave Williams
1977-80
Joe Amato
1989-90
Gene Arrington
1980-82
Rudy Korade
1990-92
Syd Shuman
1982-83
Joe Schroitz
1992-94
Charles Atwell
1983-84
Don Shell
1994-95
Bob Gelenter
1984-85
Lloyd Addington
1995-97
Bob Wilkinson
1985-87
Dan Holman
1997-00
Dan Holman
Revised 07/08/2008