Mercy Fitzgerald patient reclaims life thanks to heart failure program

When Edith Williams was first diagnosed with heart failure, her days were filled with fear, anxiety and a host of symptoms—especially shortness of breath—that made her feel extremely discouraged. 

After surviving stage 3 breast cancer and a pulmonary embolism earlier in life, the thought of battling yet another health condition was overwhelming. Unsure how to navigate her condition, Williams frequently found herself at the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital emergency room, with these visits only exacerbating her stress.

“It was really scary,” says Williams. “I had a hard time breathing. I couldn’t walk up and down the stairs. The first time I went to the ER, I thought that was going to be the end. I didn’t know where to go from there.”

Now, it’s been over a year since Williams’ last heart failure-related ER visit thanks to her participation in the Quality Health Alliance Heart Failure PUMPED program. Open to patients across all four Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic hospitals, this 90-day initiative is designed to help individuals with heart failure improve their quality of life. Through weekly check-ins (phone or in-home), patients connect with a dedicated team of health care professionals who allow them to feel confident and cared for.

“The intention behind [the PUMPED program] is to empower these patients to be able to manage and meet their goals of daily living, and really just live their best life while managing a chronic condition,” says Tanya Vogel, director of Ambulatory Care Integration, Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic. “Heart failure never goes away. It’s not something you recover from, so it’s all about the tools you have, the coping mechanisms.”

As a PUMPED participant, Williams regularly met with her dedicated team, including a nurse, social worker and community health worker, all of whom gave her the necessary tools to manage her condition at home. Williams gained knowledge in weighing herself daily to catch early signs of fluid retention, following a low-sodium diet, staying on track with medications and knowing when to call her care team. Over time, these smalls steps became part of her routine.

In addition to teaching Williams these simple but effective strategies, her care team frequently talked to doctors, pharmacists and more on her behalf when it was too much for Williams to do herself. They also provided a sense of companionship, as Williams lives alone. In fact, her social worker continues to deliver fruits and vegetables to her home every Thursday.

“The intention behind [the PUMPED program] is to empower these patients to be able to manage and meet their goals of daily living, and really just live their best life while managing a chronic condition. Heart failure never goes away. It’s not something you recover from, so it’s all about the tools you have, the coping mechanisms.” – Tanya Vogel

“It’s hard trying to manage being sick and talking to doctors, making appointments and getting the stuff you need. But they came in full force,” says Williams of her care team. “It felt like I was able to breathe. I was able to get the help I need. Every last one of those ladies jumped in and really helped me so much.”

Compared to when she was first diagnosed with heart failure in August 2024, Williams feels great. She no longer experiences severe shortness of breath, can get around her house more easily and knows how to react if any alarming symptoms show up. Plus, she’s still in close contact with her care team. Even after the 90 days of the PUMPED program are complete, check-ins continue for two years.

“Every day, I get up and make sure I take my medicine and I’m monitoring what I’m eating. If it’s something that I don’t understand, I feel comfortable enough to call any of the ladies [on my care team] and they’ll help me,” says Williams. “I’m at my peaceful stage of life right now. I’m happy. I’m not running in and out of the hospital. I’m able to relax and enjoy my life a little bit. I’m able to get out and do more.”

Gresheena Wright, an ambulatory care nurse manager who is part of Williams’ care team, is thrilled to see her patient feeling so empowered after previously not knowing where to begin.

“What has been most inspiring is how Ms. Williams has embraced her role in her own care. She now attends a weekly aqua class to stay active, keeps a detailed weight log and regularly reviews her medications and care plan with me. These changes haven’t just kept her healthier—they’ve also kept her out of the hospital,” says Wright. “Her story is a reminder of the difference care coordination can make—not just in preventing hospitalizations, but in helping patients like Ms. Williams feel supported and empowered to thrive.”

“Every day, I get up and make sure I take my medicine and I’m monitoring what I’m eating. If it’s something that I don’t understand, I feel comfortable enough to call any of the ladies [on my care team] and they’ll help me. I’m at my peaceful stage of life right now. I’m happy. I’m not running in and out of the hospital. I’m able to relax and enjoy my life a little bit. I’m able to get out and do more.” – Edith Williams

Since its inception in early 2025, the PUMPED program—made possible thanks to the Innovation Grant from Independence Blue Cross—has had more than 30 enrollees, with customized care plans tailored to each of their unique health needs. Participants must have a diagnosis of heart failure with or without comorbid conditions and cannot have end stage renal disease or chronic kidney failure. If eligible, patients can opt into the program themselves, be referred by a provider or may receive a call from the ambulatory care team to gauge interest.

For anyone who is newly diagnosed with heart failure, Williams urges them to take advantage of this program: “It might seem hard. It might seem as if you’re alone. But these ladies, they can really help you. This is the best program I’ve ever been part of. Just to have that support, somebody I could call, somebody there who is willing to fight for you just as much as you’re willing to fight for yourself, is amazing.”

Contact Denise Williams (Langhorne) at 215-710-5668 or Gresheena Wright (Greater Philadelphia and Delaware) at 610-355-2165 to see if you’re eligible.