Youth football coach defies odds after near-fatal heart emergency

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital proudly shares the remarkable recovery and discharge of beloved patient and local youth football coach, Justin ‘Jut’ Angelini. Angelini overcame extraordinary odds after suffering a life-threatening aortic dissection earlier this year.

In early April, Angelini was rushed to HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital after experiencing total loss of feeling and severe pain in his right leg while at work. Doctors and nurses quickly diagnosed him with an aortic dissection, a rare and often fatal condition that requires immediate surgical intervention. The medical team at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital acted swiftly and airlifted Jut to sister facility, HCA Florida Largo Hospital, who performed emergency open-heart surgery that ultimately saved his life. After several weeks of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a life support treatment that uses a machine to take over the functions of the heart and lungs when those organs are failing and several weeks in the intensive care unit, Angelini was transferred back home to HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital for additional intensive care and later, inpatient rehabilitation.

For the next two months, Angelini remained in the hospital, facing multiple complications, setbacks, several surgeries, multiple strokes, amputation of his right leg, and long days in intensive care. But through every moment, he pulled through with the support of his family and care teams. The support from the community on the sidelines, never wavered.

“Jut’s strength, both physical and mental, has inspired all of us,” said Nicole Carr, assistant chief nursing officer at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital. “There were moments when his recovery seemed uncertain, but he defied every expectation.”

Known for his mentorship, leadership and heart on and off the field, ‘Coach Jut’ has been a fixture in the community for many years, guiding countless young athletes through the game of football, and life, with the Port Charlotte Bandits youth football league. His hospital stay brought an outpouring of support from families, players and fellow coaches, many of whom lined the hospital hallway to cheer as he was officially discharged.

“Thank you for welcoming my husband into your hospital.  Thank you for having faith in him, for sharing your knowledge and experience, and for giving your time so generously,” said Erica Angelini, wife of Justin Angelini.  “But more than anything, thank you for accepting not just him, but all of us.  You treated us like family and gave him the best care we could have ever hoped for.”

Now begins the next chapter: outpatient rehabilitation and continued healing at home. His family and friends are excited to one day get him back to the field where his heart and passion remains.