Local Santa Life-Saving Care Following Heart Attack

Cookeville Regional Medical Center is the best choice for cardiac procedures, and Larry Pearson — a lifelong Cookeville resident and seasonal Santa Claus impersonator — is a testament to that.

After suffering a heart attack in May 2022, Pearson was rushed to Cookeville Regional, where he received immediate, life-saving treatment.

“When I went into the emergency room, my wife explained to the staff what I was feeling that I had told her,” recalled Pearson. “With no hesitation, they went straight in, hooked me up and did what they needed to.”

The hospital staff quickly diagnosed his heart attack and performed a heart catheterization procedure to place a stent, all while keeping Pearson and his family informed about his condition and treatment plan.

Pearson’s experience at Cookeville Regional didn’t end there. He spent time in the cardiac ICU, where he was impressed by the constant care and attention from the nursing staff.

“I had a different nurse every 12 hours,” said Pearson. “They were all excellent and were constantly checking on me and making sure I had everything I needed.”

Pearson’s cardiologist, Dr. Carlos Podesta, explained the procedure and what to expect in the days and weeks following the heart attack.

“He told me some things I might experience that I should be prepared for. But from that point forward, I have felt better pretty much every day,” said Pearson, who walked his daughter down the aisle eight days after his procedure.

After being discharged from the hospital, Pearson began cardiac rehab at the CRMC Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. There, he received encouragement, coaching and support from the staff, who he says became like family to him.

“The nurses at the rehab center helped me quite a bit as far as getting my heart back up and going and getting my breathing straightened out again,” said Pearson. “I feel so much better than I did before the heart attack.”

Pearson’s experience at Cookeville Regional was so positive that he chose to return and visit the staff — dressed in full Santa garb and bearing gifts of chocolate chip cookies — after his 36 sessions of rehab were complete.

“They work well together and work well with the patients, even the grouchy patients, and I can be that way myself,” said Pearson. “But they tend to bring out the best in the patient and the best in themselves, so they’re my heroes.”

Pearson said that he is glad that Cookeville Regional is his local hospital and is impressed by the quality of care he received there.

“I received incredible care at Cookeville Regional,” said Pearson. “It’s almost impossible to put into words how good they are. Cookeville Regional has made my life so much better.”