UM Health-Sparrow Ionia's First Cardiac Transplant Rehab Patient

Mike Peckins, a 52-year-old dairy farmer from Ionia, was working on his farm in summer 2024 when he began having difficulty breathing. He turned to University of Michigan Health-Sparrow where our team discovered Mike’s heart was only functioning at 15 percent. 

Fortunately for Mike, a new heart became available quickly.

However, Mike’s health declined rapidly and he suffered a brain bleed after the heart transplant. After four months in the hospital, Mike was released to go home and begin rehab where he would have to learn how to walk again. 

Thankfully and right on time, a new cardiac rehab was opening close to home at UM Health-Sparrow Ionia.