Madison Reporter

Michael Abernethy, a seasoned UW Health Med Flight physician and clinical professor of emergency medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, found himself in an unexpected situation around Thanksgiving 2023. The 65-year-old doctor experienced a role reversal when he became a patient at University Hospital after noticing alarming symptoms during a run.

Abernethy, an avid runner, was out jogging near his home in northern Illinois when he observed difficulty pushing his heart rate past 130 beats per minute—a casual pace for him—and felt mild chest pain. Despite these unusual signs, he continued running until he collapsed.

"I woke up and it was dark," Abernethy recalled. "I walked back to my car, looked at my smartwatch and noticed I had no pulse for about a minute."

The incident prompted him to seek medical attention before a planned trip to Europe. After undergoing tests at East Madison Hospital that did not go well, Abernethy received urgent advice from doctors: "You can't go to Europe."

At University Hospital, cardiologists reviewed his test results and delivered stark news: "I can't let you leave the hospital in good conscience." Abernethy was diagnosed with multivessel cardiac disease, indicating narrowed arteries impeding blood flow.

"My heart was fine; I just had really bad plumbing," Abernethy said humorously.

He underwent bypass surgery performed by Dr. Satoru Osaki, a cardiothoracic surgeon at UW Health. Abernethy's familiarity with the medical staff added another layer to his experience as he transitioned from caregiver to patient.

Dr. Joshua Glazer noted the unique dynamic of treating a colleague but emphasized maintaining standard care: "The very best thing you can do is treat them like any other patient."

During cardiac rehab in the ICU, Abernethy reflected on his new perspective: "For decades, I saw people struggling... now I’m wondering if this is the last time I see these halls."

His recovery progressed smoothly; within four days he returned home and resumed work after nine weeks. He has since participated in running events including a 5K race.

Abernethy's ordeal offered him insights into patient experiences: "You realize that everyone has their own story... For our patients, this truly is the worst day of their lives."