Gratitude Stories - Amy
At nearly six months pregnant with her fourth child, Amy Donlan was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension—a rare and life-threatening condition that made even crossing a room feel impossible. Referred to Dr. Corey Ventetuolo at Rhode Island Hospital, Amy was confronted with the gravity of the situation: she was in heart failure at just 30 years old. Thanks to Dr. Ventetuolo’s expertise and the dedicated support of a specialized team, Amy was able to carry her son, Teddy, safely to 32 weeks before his birth.
Dr. Ventetuolo and her team of specialists, now formally united as the Center for Advanced Lung Care (CALC), coordinated Amy’s treatment seamlessly. The CALC offers more than just clinical expertise; here, patients receive comprehensive care through advanced therapies, innovative procedures, and a holistic approach that includes psychological support and patient navigation to address both medical and emotional needs.
“Dr. Ventetuolo and her team always saw me as more than just a diagnosis,” Amy shares. “They cared for me as a mother and as an individual, providing comfort and hope during the most challenging time of my life.” With their help, Amy endured a long hospital stay and ongoing challenges, grateful for every gesture of care that made an unimaginable time bearable.
Today, she continues to manage her condition with CALC’s support, grateful for the expertise and humanity of the Center’s team, which has allowed her to watch Teddy grow. “Without the Center for Advanced Lung Care, neither of us would be here,” she reflects. “Their dedication saved my life and gave me a future with my family.”