Brett Newman has lived in Sonoma Valley for 25 years. He and his wife Jeanette know the rhythm of the town, the local parks, and the people. Brett is an early riser, a devoted pickleball player, and someone who enjoys staying fit and active.
On the morning of October 4, 2024, he got up for a typical workout—but something felt wrong.
“It wasn’t chest pain or arm pain,” he recalls. “It felt like something was tearing inside my body.”
Brett woke Jeanette to tell her he felt off and nauseous. She didn’t hesitate. “We’re going to the Emergency Room NOW,” she said.
At Sonoma Valley Hospital, they were met by Dr. Robert Zimmerman, who immediately began a full cardiac workup. The results came back normal. But when Brett casually mentioned he also had back pain, Dr. Zimmerman paused. Something didn’t add up. He ordered a CT scan.
One hour after arriving at SVH, the CT scan revealed a Stanford Type A aortic dissection—a rare and lifethreatening condition caused by a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s main artery. It requires immediate surgery to prevent fatal complications.
Dr. Zimmerman confirmed the diagnosis with Cardiologist and CT surgeon Dr. Alex Rainow and approached Brett’s bed with steady urgency and said, “You have a VERY big problem and need surgery.”
Brett and Jeanette thought that meant later in the week. “No,” Dr. Zimmerman clarified, “You need surgery today.”
At that moment, the entire emergency team moved into action. ER tech Corey Gonsalves contacted Stanford Hospital—one of the few facilities equipped to perform the necessary surgery—and coordinated an emergency helicopter transfer through the Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue and the REACH air team.
Before Jeanette left for the two-hour drive to Palo Alto, she asked Corey explain Brett’s condition. Corey jotted it on a slip of paper—“Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection”—folded it several times, handed it over, and said gently, “Whatever you do, don’t Google this until you get to Stanford.”
Thanks to the quick thinking, expert judgment, and flawless coordination of the Sonoma Valley Hospital team, Brett was on a helicopter within hours. He arrived at Stanford and was in surgery by the time Jeanette reached Palo Alto.
The timing was everything. For patients with aortic dissections, every minute counts. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment are critical to survival. Brett’s life was saved because the team at Sonoma Valley Hospital acted quickly and with absolute precision.
Brett spent ten days in the hospital, including six nights in the ICU, followed by eight weeks of cardiac rehab. He now manages his blood pressure with two medications and continues follow-up care. Though his genetic tests came back negative, his children will undergo echocardiograms to rule out any hereditary risks.
And today? Brett is back on the court, playing pickleball five days a week with the “Sonoma Pickleball Bunch” at Maxwell Park and doing regular cardio. He recently had a minor health scare and headed straight back to SVH.
“I wasn’t taking any chances,” he says. “And just walking through those doors gave me peace of mind.”
He has returned to the hospital—not as a patient, but to say thank you. With flowers. A card. And deep gratitude for a team that saw what others might have missed—and saved his life.
“I’m incredibly grateful for Sonoma Valley Hospital,” Brett says. “The care, compassion, and professionalism—they saved my life.”
