A Grateful Couple’s Story: Lifesaving and Life-Changing Care Close to Home
Chris and Fiona Yacopino are more than just grateful patients—they are a married couple who live, work and raise their family right here in the community. Both have faced serious health challenges in recent years, and both found comfort, compassion and expert care at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
For Chris, the journey began one ordinary morning on his way to work. Just a short walk to his car left him struggling to breathe. At first, he thought it was seasonal allergies, but within minutes he realized something was terribly wrong. After calling Fiona, he was rushed to the FJ Borelli Family Emergency Department at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, where it was quickly confirmed he was having a heart attack.
“The staff acted quickly, professionally and with compassion, which helped me feel safe during a very frightening time,” Chris recalled. “Everyone I encountered treated me with kindness, urgency and professionalism. I felt well cared for at every step.”
Fiona faced her own health scare. She went in for her first mammogram in ten years, expecting a routine appointment. Instead, she received a shocking diagnosis: breast cancer. With no family history of the disease, she hadn’t imagined this was possible.
From her very first appointment at the Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, Fiona was surrounded by compassion. “Everyone kept telling me, ‘It’s going to be okay,’ and that shifted my entire outlook,” she said. “The nurses and staff were so gentle, walking me through every step. They were attentive to my comfort and my emotional state, which made a difficult situation feel manageable.”
She speaks with deep gratitude about her patient navigator, who guided her through surgeries, follow-ups and moments of fear. “I never felt like it was a depressing experience—just something I had to overcome,” Fiona shared.
Today, Chris and Fiona not only reflect with gratitude on the expert medical care they each received, but also on the compassion, reassurance and human connection that helped them through their darkest moments.
“The staff not only provided lifesaving treatment but also showed respect and compassion that made me feel truly cared for,” said Chris. Fiona adds, “They reminded me—and inspired me—to tell other women to get checked. If you are treated like a human being, emotionally and physically, it can be empowering. That’s how I was made to feel at the Breast Center.”
Their experiences have left lasting impressions. Chris remains proud to be part of Montefiore Nyack’s Grateful Patient community, while Fiona has been inspired to pursue becoming a doula, motivated by the care she received.
Together, their stories are a powerful reminder of why Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s mission matters so deeply: to provide exceptional care, close to home, for neighbors, families, and couples like Chris and Fiona—right here in the community we all share.
