Papa Ron’s AFib Journey at Community Memorial Healthcare

Ron “Papa Ron” Phillips, a beloved Ojai resident and seasoned commercial filmmaker, is a familiar face around town. His dedication to the Ojai Valley Hospital Foundation, social media presence, and friendly demeanor make him a well-connected member of the community. Little did he know, this connection would become even more crucial when a fall in Connecticut led to an unexpected diagnosis – atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Atrial fibrillation – more commonly known as AFib – is a condition that disrupts the normal rhythm of your heart. A healthy heart has a steady beat, but with AFib, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) “dance” irregularly instead of contracting normally. This can lead to symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Determined to get back to his active life, Ron knew exactly where to turn: Community Memorial Healthcare.

Comprehensive Diagnosis & Treatment

Upon his return from Connecticut, Ron scheduled an appointment with Dr. Nolan Mayer, a cardiologist affiliated with Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura. Dr. Mayer’s initial consultation and Ron’s angiogram results revealed the need for further evaluation.

This marked the beginning of a seamless journey through Community Memorial’s leading edge heart & vascular program, and a series of procedures not offered by most community-based hospitals.

First, Ron was referred to Community Memorial electrophysiologist Dr. Jonathan Dukes, who specializes in treating AFib. After trying blood thinners and monitoring, Dr. Dukes recommended Ron undergo an ablation. Performed in one of Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura’s state-of-the-art cath labs, this outpatient procedure uses a thin tube, or catheter, to access the heart. Then, the electrophysiologist creates tiny scars in the heart tissue to block the electrical signals that cause abnormal heart rhythms. Success rates for catheter ablations vary significantly – anywhere from 60 – 90% – depending on the patient and specific type of arrhythmia.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later, Ron continued to experience shortness of breath. Enter Dr. Omid Fatemi, an interventional cardiologist and structural heart specialist at Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura. Dr. Fatemi diagnosed mitral valve regurgitation – a condition where the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle doesn't close properly, allowing blood to leak backward into the left atrium of the heart. Luckily, Community Memorial offers an innovative solution – the MitraClip procedure.

During the MitraClip procedure, a catheter is introduced into the femoral vein through a small incision. With the help of x-ray guided imagery, the MitraClip device is threaded up to the heart through the catheter and positioned over the leaky mitral valve. The clip allows the leaky valve to open and close effectively, reducing the backflow of blood. Performed only by a specially trained interventional cardiologist with the support of a multi-disciplinary team, this minimally-invasive procedure accomplishes what was once only possible through open-heart surgery. And Ron went home the next day.

Advanced Care, Close to Home 

In just two months, Ron underwent three procedures, all at Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura.

"I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had to travel long distances for this kind of care," Ron says, expressing his gratitude for the ease of access Community Memorial provided.

What impressed Ron most was the seamless communication between the different specialists involved in his care. In addition, all his test results were readily available to his primary care physician, Dr. Maziar Goshtasbi, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Ojai. This ensured clear communication and eliminated any confusion.

Community Memorial Hospital—Ojai also conveniently complemented the Ventura Hospital for routine tests, imaging, and blood draws. Ron commended the staff at both locations, praising their friendliness, professionalism, and expertise.

"Everyone I interacted with at Community Memorial was friendly, professional, and positive," Ron recalls. "The facility itself is beautiful, and the staff is incredibly skilled. I can't imagine a better experience anywhere else."
Ron says his recovery was quick and pain-free. And in the three months since his last procedure, he's already back to visiting his grandkids on the East Coast and making videos for his social media followers.

AFib Awareness Month

September is AFib Awareness Month, and Ron wants everyone to know that exceptional care for any heart condition is available right here in our community. If you're experiencing any heart-related symptoms, don't wait. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician today, or learn more about the network of experts available at Community Memorial Healthcare. Visit www.mycmh.org/ to find a doctor near you.

Stay connected with Papa Ron! Follow him on social media: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Threads.