When Tanya Parson, registered nurse at
WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital’s Cardiac Catherization Lab, was enrolled in a practical nursing program, she collapsed suddenly during a study game. Thankfully, she was in a room full of trained nurses who worked quickly to save her life. Tanya’s heart stopped beating unexpectedly that day and she went into sudden cardiac arrest.
Tanya received an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), which is a battery-powered device that keeps track of her heart rate. If an abnormal heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat. She later attended a support group that helped her get the education and support she needed after this life-changing event and gave her the passion for cardiac nursing.
After joining WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital Catherization Lab in 2006, Tanya noticed that many heart failure patients and their families were looking for more advice and education about heart failure or living with a device. Tanya realized that a support group similar to the one she had attended would be the perfect way to provide support and education to patients in the community.
Tanya turned to Shani Gadwaw, certified registered nurse practitioner at
WellSpan Cardiology to help her organize the Defibrillator, Pacemaker & Heart Failure Support Group. This support group focuses on patients and their families who have had heart failure and currently have a device or are recommended to get a device in the future.
“This is a forum where we can discuss successes with treatments; fears about living with the device and diagnosis; and educate each other about medications and diets,” Tanya said. “Families are welcomed and also have many questions, fears and failures or successes; this is an environment where they can have time to share with each other.”
Their first meeting was in September 2019 and each meeting has featured a guest speaker including therapists, dietitians, pharmacists and physicians from the local community.
“When you are diagnosed with heart failure, it is a lifelong illness that is progressive and chronic support groups have been shown to lift patients up and give them motivation to lead healthy lives,” Shani said.
Tex Shaffer, a 2-time heart attack survivor with both a defibrillator and a pacemaker, began attending the support group to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He not only has learned a lot but also finds value in hearing from others who are going through the same thing.
Both Tanya and Shani hope to continue to grow this support group. For more information about the Defibrillator, Pacemaker & Heart Failure Support Group or to register for the next meeting on March 11 at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, visit
WellSpan.org/Events.
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