Exceptional Care Saves British Musician's Life

The Valley Hospital's intensive care and cardiac care teams have saved the life British musician Jim Wilmer.

The Valley Hospital's intensive care and cardiac care teams have saved the life British musician Jim Wilmer.

Wilmer, 68, plays keyboards in The Original Famous Rays, a jazz blues band, but had a heart attack that put him in intensive care at Valley. After a relapse that put moved him into critical care, Valley introduced Jim to Valley’s Cardiac Transitional Care, led by cardiologist Dr. Kariann Abbate. Jim now has two stents in his heart, plus an ICD pacemaker and defibrillator, which he says changed his whole outlook on life.

Through personalized ongoing care, and cardiac rehabilitation, in both The Valley Hospital, and now Valley’s Center for Health and Wellness in Mahwah, Jim feels that he has literally been brought back to life. Jim says “Valley's Transitional Care Program is totally inspirational. They have taught me how to fight my problems, and every single nurse and nurse practitioner there has become integral to my wellbeing.”

Jim goes on to add “My friends at the Transitional Care Clinic at Valley Hospital have helped me make dietary changes. I have lost 40lbs, and they tailor my medications perfectly. They take whatever time is needed to explain absolutely everything to me.”