Sheri’s Story

As we celebrated Heart Health Month in February, we’re sharing the story of our very own Sheri Dungan, a dedicated nurse at Adventist Health Simi Valley, who found herself on the other side of patient care after an unexpected heart condition turned her world upside down. 

In October 2022, Sheri’s smartwatch alerted her to atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that increases the risk of stroke. Despite initially thinking it was a panic attack, Sheri, at 48 and in good health, knew something was wrong. After an EKG confirmed the diagnosis, Sheri turned to the team she trusts most — our cardiac catheterization (cath) lab and cardiologist Dr. Miguel Salazar. 

Though Sheri initially managed her AFib with medication, her symptoms worsened, and by 2024, even a short walk left her breathless. She realized surgery was necessary and underwent a successful ablation procedure in June 2024. “The care I received was exceptional,” Sheri said, praising the advanced technology and compassionate team at Adventist Health Simi Valley. Thanks to our state-of-the-art cath lab, which foundation donors helped fund, Sheri was back to work the very next day. 

Sheri’s journey is a powerful reminder that heart conditions can affect anyone — even those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Her story encourages everyone to listen to their bodies, seek care when something feels off, and trust in the healthcare team around them. We celebrate Sheri’s resilience and our amazing team who made her recovery possible. 

Are you grateful for the excellent care you received at Adventist Health Simi Valley? Please share your story — we’d love to hear from you!