A Lifetime of Giving

It was 2000 when Mike Nall suffered a heart attack and first became a patient with the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (HVTI) at Cleveland Clinic. Following a surgery in 2010 and pacemaker procedure in 2013, Mike now sees a cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Cleveland Clinic regularly.

Grateful for the exceptional care that he receives at Cleveland Clinic, Mike and his wife, Vicki, wanted to find a way to give back. The Nalls decided to include HVTI in their estate plans. But their plans to give back didn’t stop there.

In 2015, while Mike was receiving care at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital, he was asked if he would like to participate in the Patient Family Advisory Council. The program provides an opportunity for patients, families and caregivers to partner together to improve the services offered at Cleveland Clinic. Patients share firsthand experiences and unique insights into care processes. Together with key hospital leaders, this team of compassionate volunteers meets regularly to help to improve patient services and programs, ensuring the highest quality of care.

Vicki, a dedicated community volunteer since she was a candy striper in the eighth grade, jumped at the chance. “When you’re volunteering or helping, especially at the hospital, it makes you feel good,” she says. “When you see what a lot of other people are going through, then you realize how blessed you really are.”

Since 2015, Mike and Vicki have volunteered their time working with patients and caregivers at Hillcrest Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. They’ve also shared their experiences at Cleveland Clinic’s Patient Experience Summit.

“Patients love having somebody in their room just to talk to and interact with,” Mike says.

“We hope we’re making a difference with what we do,” Vicki says. “We’ve developed lasting relationships with patients, caregivers and other volunteers, and that’s just a bonus on top of a bonus.”