Back in the Pulpit: How Robotic Heart Surgery Saved a Pastor's Life

Pastor Todd Shumpert was an expert in matters of the heart, guiding his congregation at the United Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove with sermons of faith and hope. But he was completely unaware of the urgent, life-threatening matter developing within his own chest. While the 55-year-old felt perfectly healthy, even cutting down a tree in his backyard with no signs of trouble, a silent "ticking time bomb" was counting down. A catastrophic heart attack wasn't a matter of if, but when.

This life-altering journey began not with a dramatic collapse, but with a routine decision. After recently changing his primary care physician, Shumpert was encouraged to get a cardiac calcium CT scan, a suggestion prompted by his Type 2 diabetes. Seeing the price was just $99, he thought it was a small investment for peace of mind.
The results, however, brought anything but peace. Shumpert's score was in the 600s, a dangerously high number indicating extensive plaque buildup and a severe risk of a heart attack. This sent him to a cardiologist for a battery of tests, a stress test, an EKG, and a radioactive dye scan, all of which returned extremely high numbers.
The final, definitive test, a cardiac catheterization, revealed the terrifying truth: a critical blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, an artery so vital it's notoriously known as the "widowmaker."
To make matters worse, doctors discovered a birth anomaly that made stenting, a common, less invasive procedure, not an ideal option. The only path forward, he was told, was traditional open-heart surgery. For the husband and father of two young daughters, aged 11 and 13, the thought of having his chest cracked open was devastating. "Is there another way to do this?" he asked.
His cardiologist had an answer: Dr. Mark Anderson at Hackensack University Medical Center - a pioneer in a new option - robotic cardiac surgery.
Dr. Anderson explained that instead of a large incision, the surgery would be minimally invasive. Using tiny incisions on the side of his chest, robotic arms controlled by the surgeon would perform the delicate bypass. For Shumpert, this meant a quicker, easier recovery. The plan was to use another artery from his chest for the bypass, a "forever" repair that would last a lifetime, unlike a vein graft from the leg. This plan would save his life.
The surgery took place on a Monday in October in HUMC's beautiful new Helena Theurer Pavilion. Because the surgeons entered through his side, one lung had to be temporarily deflated, making post-procedure breathing a bit tough. But with the tools and support from the cardiac team, it was manageable.
The following Sunday, just one week later, Shumpert was back home in Bloomfield. His recovery was nothing short of remarkable. He missed only one Sunday service. The week he returned, he led worship from a rocking chair, much to the amazement of his worried congregation.
“Robotic cardiac surgery is a transformative alternative that allows us to perform complex procedures, like the intricate bypass Todd required, through a few small incisions instead of opening the chest,” explained Dr. Anderson. “This minimally invasive approach is far less intrusive, leading to significantly less pain, a lower risk of complications, and a much faster recovery. Our goal is to get people back to their lives, their families, and their passions as quickly as possible. Seeing a patient like Todd return to his congregation just one week after a major heart operation is a powerful testament to the benefits of this technology and the incredible resilience of the human spirit."
Today, he feels fantastic. The emotional weight of that ticking time bomb has been lifted. He is filled with gratitude for his primary care doctor, for Dr. Anderson's team, and for the $99 test that started it all. Now, Pastor Shumpert has a new testimony to share. He has told everyone about his experience and even placed a message in his church bulletin, urging others to get the simple scan that saved him. His story is a powerful sermon on the importance of proactive health and the miracles of modern medicine.

For more information on Hackensack University Medical Center’s Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program, click here.