At 59, Jim Teague, BS, SBB (ASCP), was healthy, active and had no reason to expect a heart attack.
As senior director of core laboratory and blood services at Our Lady of the Lake Health, Jim has spent more than a decade ensuring patients get fast, accurate test results — data that can mean the difference between life and death.
But on Labor Day last year, he found himself on the other side of that equation.
“I woke up with what felt like an elephant sitting on my chest,” Jim recalls, describing the terrifying moment when he realized something was wrong. “At first, I thought it was heartburn, but then I was sweating bullets, and I knew I needed help.”
Jim, who has a family history of heart disease, wasn’t about to ignore the warning signs. His instinct to listen to his body and act fast likely saved his life. He also followed the “Stay Alive, Don’t Drive” mantra of Our Lady of the Lake and waited for emergency services.
A Quick Diagnosis and Swift Action
Thanks to Jim’s quick thinking and his wife, LeaAnn, who immediately called for emergency medical services, help arrived in time to perform a portable EKG, or electrocardiogram, a medical test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
The results were startling: Jim was having a major heart attack, specifically a STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, one of the most severe types of heart attacks requiring immediate intervention to restore blood flow. The EKG indicated a 100% blockage in one of his heart’s major vessels.
“Had I waited any longer, my heart might’ve stopped,” Jim says. He was rushed to the cath lab at Our Lady of the Lake Heart & Vascular Institute where the team quickly identified the severity of the situation.
One of Jim’s heart chamber’s function had dropped to only 20%, putting him at risk for heart failure. However, thanks to the expert care and the two titanium stents placed in his heart, Jim’s prognosis was promising.
The Power of Modern Medicine and Exceptional Care
Jim was surprised at how quickly he felt better after the procedure. Within minutes of Satish Gadi, MD, opening the vessel, Jim’s pain began subsiding.
“I was already thinking about going home that same day, but the team kept me for a couple of nights to ensure I was stable,” he says.
By November, his heart function had improved to 55%, which is in the “normal range,” and his doctors are optimistic that Jim will make a full recovery.
“The modern heart medications are incredible,” he explains. “They can actually remap your heart.”
Gratitude for the Team That Saved His Life
Jim’s medical journey wasn’t just about technology and expertise—it was about the people who stepped up when he needed them most.
From his cardiologist Davey Prout, MD, to Corey Summers, RN, nursing house manager, and Ryan Landry, senior director of Our Lady of the Lake Heart & Vascular Institute, Jim had a strong support system.
“It’s one thing to work with these people professionally, but it’s another when they’re there for you personally during a crisis,” Jim says. Ryan even took Jim’s administrator on call duties while he recovered.
“I told him, ‘I can run it from my hospital bed,’” Jim jokes. “But he wasn’t having it.”
A Life of Purpose
Jim has dedicated his career to ensuring life-saving lab work happens every day. At Our Lady of the Lake Health, he oversees six lab locations and 280 team members, all working behind the scenes to provide the critical data doctors rely on.
“We run 9 million tests a year right here at the Lake,” Jim says. “Without the lab, you’re only guessing. Seventy percent of medical decisions are based on lab results.”
His passion for precision comes from years of experience as a blood banker — a role that first connected him with his wife LeaAnn, now senior director of performance improvement at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.
He and LeaAnn have been married for almost 20 years, and their two teenage sons, Wade and James, are growing up fast.
“What keeps me coming to work every day is my family, my faith and the incredible team I’m lucky to be a part of at the Lake,” he says.
Reflecting on His Ministry
Having been at Our Lady of the Lake Health since April 2012, Jim has seen the hospital’s transformation firsthand. His background in blood banking and transfusion medicine has shaped his leadership and deepened his appreciation for the ministry.
“When I came here, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a faith-based organization, but I quickly realized this was the place for me,” Jim shares. “God gave me a sign, and I followed it.”
On February 18, Jim will be honored as one of Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Heroes during the LSU Men’s Basketball game against South Carolina. Jim’s experience with his heart attack has reinforced the importance of listening to his body – and trusting the people around him.
