Personal Attention

At California Pacific we're committed to total transplant patient care involving the patient, their family and the referring physician. Our focus is on providing experienced, personal care and managing the entire transplant process to an excellent outcome.

A dedicated, multi-disciplinary transplant team works closely with you and your doctor from evaluation through post-transplant follow-up. Our team consists of cardiologists, surgeons, transplant nurse coordinators, dieticians, social workers, admission/financial coordinators, researchers and others. We believe this focus on total patient care leads to a high quality continuum of care and to more successful transplant outcomes.

Read on to see what some of our patients have to say about their experience at California Pacific Medical Center.

Our Patients' Stories


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Irene Armendarez

"It (the HeartMate II VAD) enabled me to walk out of the hospital at discharge using only a walker – and now, I walk on my own.”
- Irene Armendarez discusses her VAD with her physician, Ernest Haeusslein, MD

Irene Armendarez (read her story)
HeartMate II Recipient, August, 2007
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Kimberly Farias

"While I was hospitalized, the support I needed was always there. It will be 12 years this July 1st that I’ve had my transplant. And you know what? I have not had a single sign of rejection in all those years."

-Kimberly Farias with her family years after her heart transplant.

Kimberly Farias (read her story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, July 1, 1992





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Brenda Locke

"It was during those seven months that I discovered what makes CPMC so special. It’s the staff’s patient orientation. Yes, the hospital can boast state-of-the-art technology, the latest in procedures, and broad-based expertise but it’s the “patient comes first” attitude of the entire staff that truly defines the healing power of CPMC."

-Brenda Locke(read her story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, February 2003






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Bob Jennings

"It's a great experience having the physicians and nurses at California Pacific care for you. And after the transplant, their follow up care continues to be outstanding."

-Bob Jennings with his family after his heart transplant.

Bob Jennings (read his story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, May 16, 1996
Sacramento, Calif



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Tom Berryhill

My life is as full as it was before transplant. And I’m much healthier. My wife wishes she could keep up with me! I’m almost “a too good to believe story.” I thank God everyday.

-Tom Berryhill (read his story)
Heart Transplant Recipient
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David Tsuboi

"They’re very personal but also very professional – they do a marvelous job with all the patients. They really make us feel as comfortable as possible under the circumstances."

-David Tsuboi (read his story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, October 2001

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Irene Morais

"I've been in and out of many hospitals, but the care at California Pacific Medical Center is different than all of them. The nurses who helped me were all angels. And the heart team is so dedicated and brilliant. The physicians, the nurses, the chaplains -- they're all like family to me."

-Irene Morais (read her story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, August 2000
San Jose, Calif.






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Ted and Judith Fallas

"We could not have chosen a better team or hospital to give us a new lease on life."

-Ted Fallas
Husband of Judy Fallas (read her story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, January 2004




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Norm Zeppa

"My wife and family say they can relax because they know I'm being well taken care of in the TCCU. At other hospitals, my wife has stayed by my side the whole time because she's nervous to leave me alone. But it's not like that here."

-Norm Zeppa (read his story)
Heart Transplant Recipient
Walnut Creek, Calif.








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Russ and Carol Gipson

"The heart team is the best in the world. They genuinely want to know what's going on in your life, and that warmth and compassion, plus their expertise, makes you confident in their abilities. Most important, we feel confident that we are always going to get the best of care from them and don't have to question their answers."

-Russ and Carol Gipson (read their story)
Heart Transplant Recipient and wife, June 1995
Sacramento, Calif.


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Alejandro Ramos

"I got my transplant in July 1998. My usual bike trips were about 12-miles at a time; I’m working my way back up to that!"
-Danny Ramos (read his story)
Heart Transplant Recipient, July 1998


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Harlin Weatherford

"What I learned through this whole experience is the importance of “how we were treated.” It makes all the difference when dealing with crushing news."
- Harlin Weatherford (read his story)
Heart Transplant Recipient

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