“One in three adults over 65 will experience a serious cardiac event in the next year,” Philip Patel, MD, told a room of Circle of Stars members last December. The gasps were immediate; so was the resolve.
That resolve defined an extraordinary season of purpose, connection and generosity. At the March 31 Spring Fling finale at Ironwood Country Club, 200 members gathered to celebrate the goal they had accomplished together: raising an ambitious $1.4 million to fund advanced electrophysiology technology for Eisenhower Health’s new Kovler Family Foundation Cardiovascular Pavilion.
It was more than a milestone. It was a moment of collective impact.
Throughout the season, members leaned in, learned and showed up. From An Afternoon with Marty, where President and CEO Marty Massiello shared Eisenhower’s bold vision and Patel brough to life the technology of minimally invasive cardiac procedures to wellness education at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Spa and art tours at the Eisenhower Gallery and La Quinta Arts Celebration, each gathering focused on wellness and connection. What emerged was a circle united to make a difference.
“When you give to Circle of Stars, you are not just funding equipment,” said member Diane Wendel. “You are funding second chances. You are funding life.”
Second chances come to life through three state-of-the-art imaging and mapping systems that allow physicians to diagnose and treat irregular heart rhythms in real time, performing 2,500 Watchman implants, leadless pacemakers and ablations each year.
The need is urgent. Cases of atrial fibrillation are projected to rise nearly 98% by 2030. Eisenhower currently cares for 800 cardiac patients daily, totaling more than 200,000 visits each year.
“The next 18 months will be transformational,” said Sheenah Fernandez, director of cardiac services. She described Eisenhower’s “cardiovascular trifecta”: the new outpatient services building, the Dennis Washington Family Center, which will be completed by year’s end with 100 exam rooms and 10 labs; the Cardiovascular Pavilion, set for 2027; and the Renker Wellness Center, already delivering nationally recognized rehabilitation. “Our patients are receiving world-class heart care without leaving the valley.”
At the center of that care is something deeply human. Volunteers like Bill Stark, president of Mended Hearts and an Eisenhower patient, offer reassurance when it matters most. “Our volunteers are often the first face you see before your procedure,” he said. “They can ease fear in a way nothing else can.”
For members like Michelle Bolton, Circle of Stars has been deeply personal. “I’ve built meaningful friendships, and when a family member needed cardiac care, I experienced firsthand Eisenhower’s phenomenal level of care. I am honored to be part of this truly genuine group.”
Since 2019, Circle of Stars has contributed $6.5 million toward 20 pieces of lifesaving technology. They are proving what is possible when women come together with purpose, compassion, and heart.
For those looking to make a difference, there is always a place at the table. To learn more, call 760-837-8457.
See additional photos from this event online at desertsun.com/life/desert-scene.
Theresa Maggio serves as the senior director of annual giving and Circle of Stars.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Eisenhower Circle of Stars achieves $1.4M goal, expanding cardiac care
Reporting by Theresa Maggio, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
