"I have a lot of trust in these people, and I can tell you great things about every doctor I've had an association with."
Scott started his career in radio broadcasting in Williamsport in the 1970s, meeting his wife through an on-air contest. Over the ensuing decades, his career took him to sports broadcasting in different markets throughout the country.
But while his job brought him tremendous opportunities, he was neglecting his own health. He wasn't eating a healthy diet or getting enough sleep.
"You're traveling 150,000 miles a year on airplanes, you're having late-night dinners, you're working 50 to 60 hours a week," he says. "You think you're invincible."
The unhealthy lifestyle caught up to Scott when he began experiencing health problems. He wasn't sleeping well. He was having trouble breathing and moving around.
A medical adviser that Scott trusted convinced him to go to the emergency department at UPMC Williamsport. He ended up spending a full week there — the week of his 37th anniversary.
"It probably was the turning point of my life, starting the journey I've been on," he says.
Scott learned he had kidney disease and was referred to Samuel Stea, MD, for care. After multiple procedures to drain fluid that built up, Scott began going to dialysis three times a week.
In addition to the kidney disease, Scott was having heart problems. He was referred to UPMC to receive a pacemaker in his heart.
Sarah Swain, DO, helped coordinate his care.
Throughout all of his experiences at UPMC Williamsport, Scott says he had complete trust in his doctors. He said they all excelled in communication — which was important to him because of his own communication background.
"The way the staff treated me, the way the nurses were, the way the doctors were, I've just felt really a sense of calmness and a sense of caring," he says. "I have a lot of trust in these people, and I can tell you great things about every doctor I've had an association with."
Today, Scott takes a much more proactive approach to his health. He has a healthier diet and makes sure to stay active. He weighs around 180 to 185 pounds after weighing 240 pounds before. He also takes extensive notes about his health and asks his doctors questions if he's unsure about anything.
"All the great work that's been done by (my care team), it doesn't work if I don't have the right attitude and I don't do things on my own to make things better," he says. "That's probably my biggest message to people. You have to take responsibility. It's all about teamwork and attitude."
Scott is semi-retired, and he gets to spend much more time with his wife and family. He's thankful for the care he received to help make it happen.
"I feel very blessed to be able to sit here and talk to you today," Scott says.
Scott didn’t choose to have kidney and heart problems, but he did choose UPMC.
Learn more about heart and vascular services in north central Pa.
Stories like this one have helped UPMC earn local, national, and global honors over the years. See how our commitment to Life Changing Medicine continues to receive recognition.