Based on doctors’ feedback, Sean Draves feared he was on his deathbed. His loved ones were lining up for tearful, final goodbyes – after all, his heart was just functioning at 9-percent capacity. 

Then Alison Caddy walked into his hospital room – at a facility not affiliated with the Conemaugh Health System – and everything changed. 
 
“Before she appeared, all I heard were dire predictions,” said the 48-year-old Pavia resident. “But Alison was a ray of sunshine. She came in beaming, telling me everything was going to be fine.” 

Three months later – thanks to Alison and Conemaugh Nason’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program – Sean is enjoying deer hunting, playing with his children, and “doing things I never thought I’d do again.” 

Early last July, Sean experienced extreme difficulty breathing. He chalked it up to his long-time bouts with asthma. He felt a bit sick, but was otherwise walking, talking and functioning fine. His wife, Christi, however, convinced him to visit a clinic. After performing an EKG, nurses told Sean to get emergency-room care – immediately.   
 
He went to a hospital where he was diagnosed with heart failure and atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (A-fib with RVR) – an irregular heartbeat where the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat chaotically, causing the lower chambers (ventricles) to beat rapidly, often exceeding 100 beats per minute.  

Doctors failed in attempts to reset his heart using electric-shocking paddles. And based on an echocardiogram – which assesses the heart’s structure and function – they painted a dire picture of Sean’s survival. 
 
“I was in pure disbelief and scared to death,” said Sean, who is employed at Pressley Ridge in Altoona, an organization devoted to foster care and adoption services. 

“They put me on medication, but said the prognosis wasn’t very good at all. One doctor wished me good luck. I was shocked. That’s when I really broke down. I thought, oh my Lord, my wife is young, our kids are still little and I’m going to die. It hit me like a ton of bricks,” he said. 

Fear intensified – until the arrival of Alison, cardiac rehabilitation manager of Conemaugh Health System’s Nason Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. 

“She walked in, understood my condition and said, ‘You’ll be just fine,’” Sean said. “Suddenly, I had hope that I could beat this thing. I wanted to flip the story and prove the doctors wrong. I credit Alison with saving my life.” 

Over three months, Sean participated in 36 cardiac rehab sessions and wore a defibrillator “LifeVest” that continuously monitored his heart and could restart it automatically if necessary. He worked intensively with Alison, Kim Pepple and Paula Burket – registered nurses certified in cardiac rehabilitation – on personalized exercises, and significant dietary and lifestyle changes. 

On November 4, Sean proudly became the 200th graduate of the Nason Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. 

“Rehab became the focus of my life,” he said. “Now I feel 100-percent better. I can even walk uphill along my 700-foot driveway with no problem. I was prediabetic before beginning rehab, but no longer. The program has improved my life immeasurably.” 

Sean personifies the mission and success of the Nason Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, according to Alison.  

“When I met him in the hospital, Sean was really down. He believed his life was coming to an end. But I told him ‘absolutely not,’” Alison said. “He has a great attitude and became so dedicated to cardiac rehab. In fact, he became a glowing inspiration to so many other patients here. 

“By nature, our bodies want to thrive. Cardiac rehabilitation can dramatically improve – and even save – lives,” she said. “Our individualized attention is what makes our program so special. We serve young people up to a recent graduate who is 94 years old. People may enter our program as strangers, but they leave as friends.” 

The Nason program – launched in 2023 – “graduates” nearly 90 percent of its patients. “Time and again, we’ve shown that we can change the entire trajectory of someone’s life physically, mentally and emotionally,” Kim said. “We’re very proud of our cardiac rehab program and the tremendous impact it’s had in our community.” 

Sean agrees. “Alison, Kim and Paula have created the perfect cardiac-rehabilitation environment. The positive energy they generate is very special,” he said. “I’m proof that if you commit to rehab and don’t give up, it can change your life. It saved mine.” 

Reaching the 200th graduate plateau in a span of two years is a proud milestone for the Nason Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Alison said.  
 
“Each patient’s journey is unique, and Sean’s story perfectly illustrates how dedication, support and personalized care can transform lives,” Alison said. “Celebrating our 200th graduate reminds us why we do this work every day — to give hope, improve health, and help our patients to thrive.”