Dr. Fitzgerald, a Batesville native, has a personal and deeply impactful history with Baptist Health. He was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta at a young age. The medical team at Arkansas Children’s Hospital communicated with the team at Baptist Health and decided that the best plan for him was to come to our healing ministry.

“I woke up on a device about the size of a washing machine at that time next to me that was pumping my blood for me,” Dr. Fitzgerald said. “I was told that I would need a heart transplant.”

While at Baptist Health, Dr. Fitzgerald received a heart transplant. The transplant was conducted by Dr. John Ransom and Dr. Steve Hutchins. 

“Not only is Baptist Health where I practice and work on a day-to-day basis, but this is also the place where I came to heal when I needed a heart transplant,” he said. “This is the hospital that made that happen.”

Dr. Fitzgerald and his wife for over 20 years are the proud parents of triplets. 

Baptist Health Foundation provides financial support to advance the healing ministry of Baptist Health through purposeful and philanthropic partnerships. 

To learn more about Baptist Health Foundation or to support its mission, visit baptisthealthfoundation.org.