Former heart patient John Fischbach, Sr. presented a very special American flag to South Georgia Medical Center’s Dasher Memorial Heart Center on Monday. This particular flag was flown by the 14th Expeditionary Fight Squadron on a combat sortie in support of “Operation Inherent Resolve” in an F-16cm Block 50 Viper in Afghanistan last August. The flag was proudly flown for the DMHC Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and arranged by Fischbach to thank the organization for the care he received earlier in the year.
 
In January, Fischbach underwent a triple bypass surgery at the DMHC and returned to work at Moody Air Force Base as an NAF employee in the wood shop a few months later. He also returned to the DMHC in April to have a stent implanted in his heart.
 
“After 15 years of experiencing chest pains, I feel better than ever,” said Fischbach. He attributes his health to the excellent care he received from SGMC’s CICU, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Joe Johnson, MD, affiliated Interventional Cardiologist Doug Luke, MD, and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
 
Fischbach and his wife, Gail, even began living SGMC’s motto, “Growing Healthy Together,” losing more than 130 lbs. collectively. CICU employees were honored to receive the gift, which will hang on the third floor of the DMHC and Patient Tower.