SEBRING, Fla. As a former high school and college football star, Tom Bowman has been conscious of how important a person’s health is. After his football career ended, he became a college instructor where he taught about topics including nutrition, health science and sports management. However, one of his greatest challenges came when a heart attack changed his life.
The former West Virginia University running back was living in Myrtle Beach in 2015 and said he had a defibrillator implanted in his body following that heart attack. Years later, it would be that same defibrillator that led him to a doctor at AdventHealth Sebring, who he said saved his life, Dr. Giancarlo Speziani.
“I had some issues (with the defibrillator), and I was getting shocked (by it) a lot,” Bowman said. “One time I was rushed to the hospital, and I coded and when I woke up Dr. Speziani was right there by my bedside. He told me what he wanted to do, and pretty much right off the bat I felt very comfortable, and I trusted him.”
Bowman said Dr. Speziani diagnosed him with Ventricular tachycardia, also known as V-Tach, an abnormal heart rhythm. Health experts say during an episode, a person’s heart can beat so fast that the heart can’t pump enough oxygen to every part of the body. The condition can also lead to ventricular fibrillation, which is a life-threatening arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
“Even when he was getting ready to do that serious surgery, you know I put my hand in his hand and I said you and God, you are in charge now and he fixed me,” Bowman said. “I just can’t say enough (about him), he saved my life.”
Bowman, who is 62 years old, praised Dr. Speziani’s “impeccable bedside manner and personality” adding he and his wife, Lisa, are grateful for him taking his time to answer every question they had.
Bowman also lauded the hospital staff not just for his care but for the treatment of his wife.
“I can’t tell you how great they treated Lisa. The executives from upstairs would come down and they say we will get you back to your place so you can get new clothes, take a shower and so on,” Bowman said. “The nurses were unbelievable. They would bring her a pillow and a blanket each night because she didn’t want to leave, and that’s what kept me going.”
Bowman said he and his wife chose to settle in the Sebring area because of the great healthcare options in the community and he’s appreciative of the care he’s received. He added he is doing well today. As part of his treatment plan, he said he’s lost 130 pounds.
“We worked together as a team,” Bowman said. I was trying to make him proud of me because I thought the world of him.”
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death across the country, including in Florida. The most recent data from the Florida Department of Health shows, in 2023, the death rate from heart disease in Highlands County was about 151 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average of 135 per 100,000 people.
You can find more information about the heart care options offered at AdventHealth Sebring by going to AdventHealth Sebring | Premier Sebring Hospital and ER.
— provided by AdventHealth