Strep pneumonia sends Alabama man to Ascension Sacred Heart for advanced care
ECMO care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida, led the effort to save a man with severe streptococcal pneumonia who had trouble breathing on his own.
Tony, a husband and father from Saraland, Alabama, never imagined that a simple cough would turn into a fight for his life.
On March 1, 2025, he began feeling sick with flu-like symptoms at first. But within 48 hours, his condition took a serious turn. He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors intubated him and worked quickly to stabilize his breathing. Even then, it became clear he needed more advanced support to survive.
Tony was life-flighted to Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida, where a skilled ECMO team led by Dr. Justin Reis and Dr. Carrie Garrison, medical directors of the ECMO program, had already prepared for his arrival.
He was placed on ECMO, (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), a type of life support that takes over the work of the lungs when they can no longer function on their own. This critical step gave Tony’s body time to rest and begin healing.
Further testing confirmed he had a severe case of streptococcal pneumonia and sepsis. The infection had moved quickly, damaging his lungs to the point where they could no longer move air effectively—even with a ventilator.
In a rare and remarkable turn, Tony required two types of ECMO support during his stay—VV ECMO for his lungs, followed by VA ECMO when his condition progressed to mixed shock affecting both his heart and lungs.
Surviving one form of ECMO is significant; surviving both in the same hospitalization is incredibly rare. Tony spent ten days on ECMO, receiving around-the-clock care from a highly trained, multidisciplinary team.
Throughout the entire experience, Tony’s wife, Aimee, remained by his side.
“From the moment we arrived, the team at Sacred Heart was already in action,” she said. “They explained everything clearly and made sure I understood each step.”
She credits Dr. Garrison, Dr. Reis, and the entire ECMO team for their honest communication, expert care and constant support.
Today, Tony is off ECMO and continuing his recovery with the help of physical therapy and rehabilitation. He still has a journey ahead, but he’s gaining strength every day.
At Ascension Sacred Heart, our ECMO-trained teams care for patients with complex heart and lung conditions. Our program includes cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, intensive care doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, perfusionists and bedside ECMO specialists. Our care teams work together to give patients the best chance at recovery.
If you have a patient who may benefit from ECMO, our transfer center and ICU team can help arrange a consultation and transport to the appropriate level of care. Learn more about our Ascension Sacred Heart ECMO program.
Last updated: May 9, 2025