Ray Champ was the President and CEO of WakeMed from 1983 to 2003. Known as a humble, servant leader, Mr. Champ had a heart for both the people and the mission of WakeMed.

Mr. Champ says of his years as the top leader, “I enjoyed relating to the employees. I went into the hospital quite often to establish relationships, so I could get to know the staff. I also enjoyed identifying the needs within the community and then meeting those needs. The Trauma Centers, Heart Center, Rehabilitation Hospital, WakeMed Cary Hospital and WakeMed North Healthplex (expanded into WakeMed North Hospital) all came about during my tenure.”

Little did Mr. Champ know, many times over the years he would reap the benefits of the sacrificial care offered through our WakeMed multidisciplinary teams. He has received two artificial knees, an artificial hip and a spinal fusion — all resulting from a highly athletic lifestyle.

Well acquainted with patient services through WakeMed Wake Ortho, in 2022, he experienced care associated with three of the service lines he helped to develop.

President to Patient Nearly Two Decades Later

On August 15, 2022, Mr. Champ was sitting in his living room playing the piano when he suddenly began perspiring heavily.

He says, “I thought to myself ‘There’s something going on here.’ So, after my practice, I got up from the piano, went into the family room to see my wife, Meredyth, and said to her, ‘You need to call the squad.'”

First responders were on the scene within minutes. The emergency medical services (EMS) team loaded Mr. Champ into an ambulance, quickly whisking him off to WakeMed Raleigh Campus Emergency Department.

Upon arrival, WakeMed interventional and structural cardiologist, Dr. Frances Wood, was waiting.

Mr. Champ explains, “As part of the Emergency Department’s Trauma Services, WakeMed has an overnight Cath Lab team, so under the leadership of Dr. Wood, the team quickly moved me into the Cath Lab to identify the problem.”

Dr. Wood soon found the issue. Mr. Champ had experienced a heart attack resulting from blockages in two descending arteries.

Mr. Champ recalls, “While it wasn’t good, Dr. Wood said, ‘Don’t worry. I’m going to fix it.’ At that point, I knew I was in good hands, and they scheduled me to receive two stent placements the following morning.”

Regarding her experience, Dr. Wood is grateful that she could provide care to the man responsible for the actualization of the Heart Center. “I was very fortunate to meet the retired WakeMed leader who had made such an amazing impression on his staff. The cath and nursing staff who took care of him had story after story about his commitment to his team and patient care.”

Following the procedure, Mr. Champ awoke, feeling very weak. Dr. Brian Go, a WakeMed interventional cardiologist, visited Mr. Champ. He praised Dr. Wood for the excellent, lifesaving care she provided and informed Mr. Champ that he would require two additional stents — but the team determined it would be best to give him a month to recover before the additional installations.

After the second set of stents were placed, Mr. Champ continued to experience fatigue. It was clear he needed to rebuild his strength. Dr. Go informed Mr. Champ that a highly effective recovery technique involved admittance to WakeMed Cardiac Rehab.

Initially, Mr. Champ felt this was unnecessary. He was confident he could workout independently at home. Dr. Go was gentle yet insistent, so Mr. Champ relented and joined WakeMed Cardiac Rehab in late October 2022.

“I was well taken care of by the entire Heart & Vascular team. Dr. Wood put me at ease. And, I’ve had a longstanding relationship with Dr. Go, so I trusted he knew what was best,” shares Mr. Champ.

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

Upon admittance to Cardiac Rehab, Mr. Champ’s multidisciplinary team of therapists included Program Director and Education Specialist, Molly diVincenzo; Exercise Specialists and Physiologists, Ethan Diffenbaugh, Nicki Ayscue and Evan Bukowinski; Nurse Carrie Wilkerson; as well as other staff.

Mr. Champ explains, “They had all types of apparatuses for me to work on. I was partial to the bicycle and would start there. I’d then move on to the rowing machine, treadmill or track. The workout was followed by a lesson on diet and exercise habits at home. And, I’d end my session with strength training.”

As time progressed, Mr. Champ could see real gains resulting from the support he received in his 13-week Cardiac Rehab experience. He moved from crushing fatigue to energy and stamina similar to his pre-heart attack self.

Of the team and program, Mr. Champ says, “They were fantastic. I really didn’t want to go when initially talking with Dr. Go. Despite my hesitancy, I went. Then, as the weeks went by, and I neared the end, I wanted to sign up for another 13-week session, but they knew I was ready to go out on my own. I really have the highest regard for that staff.”

On his last day, he officially graduated from Cardiac Rehab and got to hit a gong symbol and sign his name using a tablet. He continues to walk regularly, strength train and do yard work. He is working toward increasing his stamina enough to enjoy a full 18 holes of golf. He also is committed to a healthy diet.

“I have good energy and stay active around the house. I also eat pretty healthy — which, for me, means eating a lot of chicken,” he teases. “At this point, I’m about ready to start my own chicken farm.”

Reflections on the WakeMed Hospital System Today

Reflecting on his personal patient experiences at WakeMed, Mr. Champ feels honored and grateful.

“When I started, there was no Trauma program, Heart Center or Rehab Hospital. I received exceptional care from all three of these service lines in recent months. I’m very proud of WakeMed. I’m grateful that they have been here for me when I’ve needed them.”

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About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeons who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care in Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Clayton, N.C. For decades, these physicians have chosen to bring their talent and expertise to WakeMed for its reputation for excellence in cardiovascular care and commitment to providing the most exceptional patient experience.

About WakeMed Trauma Centers

As Wake County’s only provider of trauma services and a regional trauma referral center, our two trauma centers — a Level I Trauma Center at Raleigh Campus and a Level III Trauma Center at Cary Hospital — and the WakeMed Trauma teams are standing ready to provide immediate care for the seriously injured.

About WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab offers a safe, monitored environment where you can gain the strength, confidence, camaraderie and nutritional know-how you need to live a heart-healthy life.

The WakeMed Cardiac Rehab specialists welcome patients who have or had:

• A recent heart attack
• Cardiac bypass surgery
• Angioplasty or stent placement
• Valve repair or replacement surgery
• A heart transplant
• Stable angina
• Heart failure

Patients with ventricular assist devices also benefit from our program.