Police officer Jerry Hughes has worked in law enforcement in Vestavia Hills, Ala., for more than 20 years, and in 2021, his department began requiring annual medical exams. At first, Hughes was worried that the exam might not find him fit to serve, but it may have saved his life.
“A couple of days after my exam, I got a phone call from St. Vincent’s,” said Hughes, 43. “They told me that the results of my blood test were very concerning and that I needed to see a urology specialist immediately.”
Doctors at UAB St. Vincent’s Occupational Health Services quickly referred Hughes to the urology experts at UAB St. Vincent’s East, and further testing revealed signs of advanced kidney and heart failure. He was put on kidney dialysis at home for nine hours a day, which prevented him from patrolling the streets, so the department switched him to light duty.
Hughes eventually would need a new kidney. But to be eligible for a kidney transplant, he needed to have a coronary artery bypass procedure to address blockages found in the arteries in his heart. This type of heart surgery creates new pathways for blood to flow to the heart muscle. The procedure was successfully performed by John Thurber, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at UAB St. Vincent’s East.
“I remember the doctors telling me that I was on borrowed time,” Hughes said. “They said if my heart wouldn’t have gotten me, my kidneys wouldn’t have lasted.”
A reason to be thankful
After recovering from the heart procedure, Hughes spent two years on the waiting list for a donor kidney. His kidney function was declining in the meantime, so his daughter created a social media campaign to spread the word. Just before Thanksgiving in 2023, Hughes’ care team found a match – a living kidney donor who happened to also work in law enforcement, Lt. Mike House with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
In December 2023, two days after the transplant procedure, Officer Hughes met his donor.
“I feel 20 times better today. I don’t hurt constantly, which I thought was just part of everyday life,” Hughes said. “I am grateful for St. Vincent’s – that phone call truly saved my life. And Lt. House gave me my world back, so I have time to spend with my family and watch my grandbabies grow up.”
The Vestavia Hills Police Department chose UAB St. Vincent’s Occupational Health Services because it specializes in examining first responders. The annual physical includes routine blood work and screenings for vision, hearing, and blood pressure. Specialty tests and diagnostic imaging are also conducted, to look for warning signs for chronic conditions such as heart failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
UAB St. Vincent’s Occupational Health Services is also available to visit workplaces, to perform jobsite evaluations and make safety recommendations that can help avoid incidents.
“A big percentage of our clients are firemen, paramedics, and law enforcement officers,” said Wanda McFall, APRN, a nurse with UAB St. Vincent’s Occupational Health Services. “They have a lot of potential for injury, and they are very important to the community. Our goal is to ensure that they are healthy and stay healthy, in order to perform the rigorous duties of their jobs.”
If you’re interested in health exams or related services for your workforce, please call Kim Starling at 205-807-4977 or email kimberlystarling@uabmc.edu