Eugene Fitzgerald: How Centennial Heart at Parkridge helped a longtime referee return to the court
Eugene Fitzgerald has been a fixture on the basketball court throughout his life—not only as a player, but as a coach and referee, too. From college and high school coaching to refereeing youth leagues, the game is a huge part of his life.
“I coached for over 30 years, and being a part of the game and the relationships with players is what I love about being out there,” he shares.
However, during a recent game, he noticed something wasn’t right.
“I was refereeing back-to-back games and during the second. I couldn’t catch my breath.”
After a family member recommended Dr. Alison Bailey, chief of cardiology at Parkridge Medical Center and Centennial Heart at Parkridge, Eugene quickly got an appointment to check out his heart health.
"She was unbelievable," he recalls, praising her commitment to patient-centered care.
During his care, a heart biopsy revealed the issue: a severely constricted aortic valve that was restricting blood flow.
His medical consultations determined that the best course of action would be a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)—a minimally invasive procedure performed by Dr. Matthew Wiisanen, director of structural heart services at Centennial Heart at Parkridge.
What is the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)?
The TAVR procedure is a minimally-invasive alternative to open-heart surgery that replaces a narrowed or failing aortic valve with a new one, restoring proper blood flow. Using a catheter inserted through a small incision, the new valve is carefully guided into place, expanding within the existing valve to improve heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.
“A surgeon told me, ‘if I were in your position, I would be beating down the door of Dr. Wiisanen.’”
With his strong Christian faith giving him peace and confidence in the medical team, Eugene underwent the procedure to repair his heart.
Thanks to the advanced technology and expert hands at Centennial Heart at Parkridge and Parkridge Medical Center, his recovery was remarkably swift. Within a month, he was back on the court, refereeing games with the same energy and passion he’s always enjoyed.
Eugene credits the entire team at Parkridge for their exceptional care, calling his experience “phenomenal” from start to finish. He also completed intensive outpatient cardiac rehab through Centennial Heart at Parkridge, further strengthening his heart health.
Recently, Eugene had the opportunity to reunite with the team that helped him regain his active lifestyle at a TAVR patient reunion at Parkridge Medical Center.
“My family and I are so thankful for this whole process and the care I received.”
He shared his story, expressed his gratitude and thanked the Centennial Heart at Parkridge team for helping him return to what he loves.
Growing up a Boston Celtics fan and self-described Larry Bird guy, Eugene knows the value of great teamwork and that’s what he found at Centennial Heart at Parkridge, where expert cardiovascular care got him back on his feet—and back in the game.