Prince of Hearts

Her last comment led Phoenix Children's social worker Tom Dusbabec to utter wryly, "We did miss the pestilence."

"At least we're here," Robinson concluded. "I just wish Dr. Teodori was here, too."

Paul Rubin

Dr. Michael Teodori with heart patient Xzavion Gonzales, July 2002.

Paul Rubin

Samantha Blier consoles her son, Xzavion Gonzales, before his heart operation, as the boy's grandfather, Don Blier, looks on.

Related Content

• Bands Rally in Support of Ailing Owner of Hollywood Alley
  April 26, 2012
• Ross Rocks Benefit at Hollywood Alley, 4/28/12
  April 29, 2012
• Rick Ross Is Rap's Opulent King
  January 12, 2012
• A Hot Ghetto Mess of Hip-Hop, Art, and B-Boys: The 10-Year Journey of The Blunt Club
  May 17, 2012
• Critics Claim Supreme Master Ching Hai's Followers' Restaurants Featuring Tasty Vegan Fare Front For an Exploitive Movement.
  June 2, 2011

More About

• Xzavion Gonzales
• Pete Teodori
• Mike Teodori
• Surgery
• Medicine

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Last month, Phoenix Children's nurse Liv Lowry joined about 40 others at a prayer meeting for the injured Mike Teodori.

She was on duty at the intensive-care unit when the vigil began, but asked a colleague to cover for her so she could speak near the end of the get-together, which took place in a different part of the hospital.

"Thank you, Lord, for Dr. Teodori," Lowry said, weeping, "and all the miracles we have been part of here at the hospital, and he is one of the miracles that God has given us. The reason we feel so strongly about him is the personal love he has given totally to his patients and to us."

Lowry then practically ran back to the pediatric intensive-care unit, where she resumed her care for a two-month-old girl on whom Dr. Lupinetti had operated the day before. As she looked down at the tiny baby, the nurse decided to tell a very personal story:

"Two times in 20 years, I have felt something envelop me, wrap itself around me like a cocoon. It was right before I had to take care of two babies who were in bad shape and weren't supposed to make it. But they did. It may have been positive ions or it may have been something else, but it was real, and I didn't ask for it -- it just came.

"I think what happened to me is what it must be like to be Mike Teodori in the operating room. It's a beautiful thing."

Dr. Teodori is examining Xzavion Gonzales at his office in early July, a month after the boy's surgery. Xzavion is a bundle of pep, and is constantly irritating his mother by looking for mischief to get into.

"I know you," the boy tells the doctor during the postoperative exam. "You're the fix heart guy."

"Yup, that's me," Teodori replies. "You look great. I didn't slow you down. Your heart is working beautiful."

Xzavion proudly shows the doctor his long surgical scar, which has healed nicely.

"That's my man," Teodori says. He touches Xzavion lightly atop his head, then fetches the boy a lollipop before saying his goodbyes.

"Thank you, doctor," Samantha Blier tells him. "I don't know what else to say."