In March 2026, Russell went to HCA Florida Darwin Square Emergency because he didn’t feel right. He had a cough, felt dizzy and his heart was racing. What he thought would be a quick visit turned into something much more serious.
From the very beginning, Russell felt truly heard. “They were listening to understand, to learn as much as possible to help me” he said. The emergency team moved quickly, ran tests and started treatment right away," he says.
When doctors recognized Russell had a life‑threatening condition affecting his heart, he was placed on a breathing machine and transferred to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital for a higher level of care. In the ICU, doctors and nurses worked around the clock to stabilize him and help his body recover.
“The doctors, nurses and the therapists, they were putting all of their expertise into helping figure out my mystery," he says.
After showing signs of improvement, Russell faced a scary setback when his heart went into a dangerous rhythm multiple times. Each time, the care team responded immediately — saving his life again and again. Through multidisciplinary teamwork and determination, they identified the cause as a rare thyroid condition and adjusted his treatment.
Even while unable to speak on the ventilator, Russell stayed awake and communicated by writing notes — often expressing gratitude to his care team. He shared what helped him keep fighting: thoughts of how much his 3‑month‑old daughter needed him to get home. With her in mind and the ICU team at his side, Russell continued to improve. He came off the breathing machine and was discharged a week later.
Looking back, he’s still in awe: “People die from what I had… but to be here now, it’s unbelievable. Nothing short of a miracle. Not one, many miracles!”
Russell works in healthcare himself and is about to graduate nursing school. He says his experience deepened his appreciation for the people who do this work every day — with the skill, compassion and heart he saw in our Darwin Square freestanding ER and the ICU. "I got to see and to feel their passion for caring. Thank you, thank you!"
When every second matters, expert care is close to home.
If you or a loved one are experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness or other emergency symptoms, trusted emergency care is available 24/7 at HCA Florida Darwin Square Emergency, HCA Florida Stuart Emergency, and HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital.
Our emergency teams are ready to listen, act quickly and care for you when you need it most.