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Ed Salutes Dr. Gillinov After Crossing Antarctic Circle

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: April 30, 2025

Hearing from patients about their heart valve surgery journey is my favorite part of running this website.

This time, we get to learn the amazing success story of Edward Rutkowski, a patient who underwent robotic heart valve surgery 15 years ago.

Dr. Gillinov Heart Surgery Patient Edward Rutkowski (Heart Valve Patient)

Ed Says…

Here is the email that Ed sent to me which is being posted with his approval:

Hi Adam,

April 15, 2025 was my 15th anniversary of robotic mitral valve repair surgery by Dr. Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic.

I have made it a point to contact him by e-mail each and every year on the anniversary of my surgery.

Dr. Marc Gillinov

I believe, without exception, every year Dr. Gillinov has responded within an hour! It may be a single word as it was this year. Always positive. I know he is a very busy man. It is obvious to me that though he is not caring for me any more with the robot, he remains interested and engaged in my health. It says a great deal about him and it reinforces my decision.

So you know… For years I was an avid marathoner — having run the Boston Marathon 5 times. I won my age division at the Chicago Lakefront 50 Miler Ultra. Then came the heart valve issue and hip replacement surgery. I always thought that after receiving surgical assistance it was my unstated responsibility not to waste the opportunity to remain active. For example, here is a recent photo of me on Petermann Island in Antarctica where I traveled on an exploration cruise ships. We made 13 separate landings including crossing the Antarctic Circle.

Heart Surgery Patient at Arctic Circle Ed at Antarctic Circle

Though I am not able to perform such skilled surgeries as Dr. Gillinov, I do volunteer work in the community.

I send annual notes to Dr. Gillinov on my heart valve anniversaries to recognize his special surgical gift that enables me to “Keep on Tickin”.

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.