Grateful Patient Spotlight: Thomas Panza
January 26, 2026
Thomas Panza came to Holy Cross Health for what he thought would be a routine procedure to replace his pacemaker. He expected a simple swap for a newer model and battery.
After reviewing Thomas’ charts and test results, Dr. Rishi Anand, electrophysiologist, explained that an upgraded pacemaker would better support his heart function. “The procedure remained scheduled for the same day, and I trusted Dr. Anand’s judgment completely,” Thomas said.
The surgery was more complex than Thomas anticipated, but the results were extraordinary. At his follow-up visit, he shared, “I feel great, better than I have in 40 years.” Once the soreness faded, Thomas noticed dramatic changes. His thinking was clearer, his energy returned, and he could walk without fatigue. At 79 years old, he suddenly felt decades younger.
Dr. Anand explained that he had optimized the pacemaker to synchronize both ventricles, improving Thomas’s ejection fraction and overall heart performance. The impact was life-changing. Even Thomas’ longtime colleagues commented on his renewed vitality.
Thomas expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Anand, Dr. Manalac, and the entire Holy Cross team for restoring his energy and quality of life. His family has trusted Holy Cross for more than 50 years, and this experience reaffirmed why.