‘I'm grateful a U.S. News Hospital is here’

Dick Maurer of Bethlehem researched hospitals when he needed heart surgery. He found one of the nation's best close to home at Lehigh Valley Hospital

Dick Maurer of Bethlehem, Pa. welcomed retirement a year ago with open arms. He looked forward to having more time to golf, travel, finish home improvement projects, and most importantly, play with his 3-year-old granddaughter, Anna.

But instead, Maurer, 69, faced health problems. An abnormal aortic valve – a heart condition he was born with – worsened, affecting the blood flow to his heart. At the same time, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, complicating his condition. He needed surgery. In fact, it was so bad doctors advised him not to lift more than 40 pounds – that included his granddaughter.

“I have so much to live for. I wanted care from the best,” Maurer says. So, he began to research, looking for the best hospital. That’s when he saw Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best hospitals for heart and diabetes care. “To get on the list with the nation’s best hospitals is pretty impressive,” Maurer says. “And in specialty areas where I had a need. I was glad I didn’t have to go far from home.”

Maurer connected with LVHHN cardiologist J. Patrick Kleaveland, M.D., who confirmed his need for surgery. Soon after, Maurer was scheduled for surgery with cardio-thoracic surgeon Raymond Singer, M.D.

But this surgery would be far from routine. Maurer also had an aneurysm – a bulge in an artery connected to the aortic valve. Singer would have to address that and replace the valve. On top of that, Maurer had bypass surgery 12 years prior. The placement of those four bypasses and scar tissue around his heart could make the surgery longer and more difficult.

“I was scared,” says Georgene, Maurer’s wife of 40 years. “But I felt very confident with Dr. Singer.” In Dick Maurer’s words: “I was pleased Dr. Singer spent a lot of time explaining everything to me and my family. He didn’t camouflage anything. He was honest about the risks, but confident in his ability – and that made me feel I was in the right hands.”

Maurer had surgery on June 27, a week before Anna’s third birthday. Fortunately, everything went very well. Singer replaced the aortic valve and repaired the aneurysm. Within 24 hours, Maurer was walking and within four days, he was home. He recently completed cardiac rehabilitation at LVH-Muhlenberg, a few minutes drive from his home.

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