Living with Purpose in the Third Phase of Life: Dave Cottengim, WakeMed Volunteer

Dave Cottengim has been a faithful WakeMed volunteer for more than a decade.

"I desired to give back after receiving the best medical care at WakeMed. As a two-time heart attack survivor, I heeded the call to support cardiac patients — through Cardiac Rehab and Mended Hearts Peer Support Group." 

A Lifetime of Service

Having led a life of great accomplishment with many honors received, Dave is currently basking in his third phase of life. 

• In the first, he found his gifts and cultivated them through drive and ambition in secondary and postsecondary education.
• In his second phase, he transformed those talents into vision, leadership and mentorship, spending his career providing service to North Carolina's most vulnerable population. He served as a North Carolina Easter Seal's regional director, a director of program services and a deputy state director. Eventually, he became the leader for Resources for Seniors, Inc., where he served as president until he retired in 2014.
• Now in the third phase of retirement, he relishes in contributing beyond his career. 

Dave's life is a model of impeccable faith, family leadership and dedicated volunteerism. As such, he was honored with a lifetime achievement recognition through the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This recognition is one of North Carolina's highest civilian honors to those who exhibit the most extraordinary efforts to serve the needs within the state, community and among fellow citizens. On behalf of retired Governor Roy Cooper, he was bestowed this incredible honor and conferred as a Son and Ambassador of the State of North Carolina in 2024.

How Dave Found Purpose in the Third Phase at WakeMed

Dave was driven to WakeMed through necessity, and as a result, he has developed lifelong connections with people from all walks of life. This is how his WakeMed story began.

While enjoying his vacation home in Fancy Gap, VA, in Spring 2000, Dave experienced shortness of breath when walking. Since the symptoms did not subside, he contacted his now retired WakeMed doctor upon returning to Raleigh, NC. 

Dave remembers, "My WakeMed physician performed a stress test, and I failed, so he scheduled me for further diagnostics in the catheterization lab at WakeMed Raleigh Campus, where I had a coronary angiogram and then a procedure to repair my heart." 

The team discovered that Dave had a blockage, and the surgeon placed stents in his heart to restore blood flow. After a couple of months of recovery at home, Dave then attended and graduated from WakeMed Cardiac Rehab. He went on to WakeMed Safeway to Fitness, joining three times a week for five years.

Twenty-two years after Dave's initial heart attack — November 3, 2022 — Dave awoke in the middle of the night in his Garner home. He was overwhelmed by his prior telltale symptom of shortness of breath. This symptom was accompanied by severe vomiting and nausea. Dave's wife contacted 911, and emergency medical services (EMS) team members arrived speedily, loaded Dave onto a gurney and transported him straightway to WakeMed Raleigh Campus.

Dave exclaims, "I was taken to the operating room upon arrival."

Over the course of that week, Dave was in and out of the operating room three times. Cardiac surgeons Frannie Wood, MD, FACC, and Saroj Neupane, MD, along with a retired surgeon, placed 10 stents in Dave's heart. He remained in cardiac care for 12 days, initially in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and eventually in a step down unit — once he became eligible for discharge. 

However, his health took a negative spiral.

Dave says, "While recovering from my surgeries, my appendix ruptured, so WakeMed general/trauma surgeon Sukanto Biswas, MD, FACS, removed it, making that four different visits to the operating room. 

Dave was discharged in mid-November and then readmitted on December 27 for aortic valve replacement, led by Dr. Wood along with cardiovascular surgeon Judson Williams, MD, MHS. After a time of recovery at home, Dave returned to Cardiac Rehab.

"I started Cardiac Rehab in early 2023 and finished in April of that year," Dave recalls. "I went three days per week and enjoyed exercising as well as engaging in classes about nutrition and diabetes control."

Reflecting on the critical nature of the care received, Dave feels deep gratitude to those who saved his life.

Dave's Work as a WakeMed Volunteer

"I am thankful to WakeMed for saving me from certain death — twice," Dave shares. "Having been a hospital volunteer coordinator a long time ago in Kentucky, I knew how important volunteers were to heath care. I will always be grateful to WakeMed and will volunteer for as long as I am able."

In his Cardiac Rehab volunteer role, Dave maintains the cleanliness of the equipment, helps set up equipment and talks to patients about the importance of finishing the program. For Mended Hearts, prior to COVID 2020, Dave visited five to six heart inpatients each week, offering information regarding Cardiac Rehab's importance — encouraging them to attend Mended Hearts Peer Support meetings after the completion of Cardiac Rehab. Currently, he attends Mended Hearts Peer Support meetings the third Monday of each month at the WakeMed Heart Center. 

Dave continues, "I currently serve as Board Vice President for Mended Hearts. Being a volunteer is a wonderful way to help my community. With my history of heart issues, volunteering at WakeMed gives me the chance to share my story of recovery with other cardiac patients. I believe it can provide hope for recovery and a future."

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About WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab offers a safe, monitored environment where you can gain the strength, confidence, camaraderie and nutritional know-how you need to live a heart-healthy life.

The WakeMed Cardiac Rehab specialists welcome patients who have or had:

• A recent heart attack
• Cardiac bypass surgery
• Angioplasty or stent placement
• Valve repair or replacement surgery
• A heart transplant
• Stable angina
• Heart failure

Patients with ventricular assist devices also benefit from our program.

About WakeMed Heart Center

Wake County's first open heart surgery was performed at WakeMed in 1968, and we continue to be a leader in innovative cardiovascular care delivered by highly trained, board-certified physicians and staff who take a team approach to patient care.

• 9 cardiac catheterization labs
• 2 electrophysiology labs
• 43 beds in our pre- and post-procedure nursing unit
• 24/7 — around the clock cath lab always ready to respond to a heart attack
• Comprehensive cardiovascular testing department
• Cath Lab Specialists who must earn Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists certification
• Cardiac Rehab onsite

About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeons who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care in Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Clayton, N.C. For decades, these physicians have chosen to bring their talent and expertise to WakeMed for its reputation for excellence in cardiovascular care and commitment to providing the most exceptional patient experience.

About Mended Hearts

Mended Hearts of the Triangle is a national organization with a local WakeMed chapter. The chapter meets monthly and offers support, education and activities for heart disease survivors, their family members as well as medical professionals in the cardiology field.