SPOTLIGHT #1 -- President-Elect, Sherwin Hibbets

Two-Way Change of Heart Inspires Runner
Regent University Director to Run Half-Marathon One Year After Heart Surgery
Courtesy:  Regent University Office of Public Relations

In May 2001 Sherwin Hibbets, Director of Financial Aid at Regent University, underwent heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. Little did he know then that 15 months later he’d be running a half-marathon and engaged to be married.  The surgery was the result of a birth defect, rather than a dietary problem. Hibbets’ heart was enlarging which could have led to cardiac failure. He was monitored until it was evident that the benefits of surgery outweighed the risk involved.  Two months prior to his own surgery, the sister of one of Hibbets’ classmates had undergone the same procedure and died. Hibbets' trust in God, however, kept him confident about his decision to go ahead with the surgery.  "My doctor said there was a 96-97 percent success rate for this kind of surgery. It could have been serious but God was so good, and the surgery went great," said Hibbets.  While at the hospital, a few days after surgery, Hibbets was visited by a cardiac rehab professional, encouraging him to consider rehab after his recovery period. Little did he realize the influence this individual would have in his life.  "I went through six weeks of recovery," recalled Hibbets, "and then I decided to check out cardiac rehab. It was through cardiac rehab that I had a total change of mind-set towards exercise. I learned that it can be fun. It just got kind of contagious."  Since his cardiac rehab began a year ago, Hibbets has lost 30 pounds and enjoys a variety of exercise activities such as running, swimming, cross-training, and weight-lifting.  "Even when I was in the Army National Guard running three miles every day," said Hibbets, "that was not fun. But this is different. Exercising gives you much more energy."  In addition to a physical lifestyle change, Hibbets’ experience with cardiac rehab has even more significance. The cardiac rehab professional, who first entered his hospital room a few days after his surgery, is now his fiancée.  "It was just God behind the scenes," said Hibbets.  His fiancée, Kathy Oliver, is the director of the cardiac rehab program at Sentara Leigh Hospital. Amazingly, Hibbets had his surgery not at Oliver’s post, but at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  "She just happened to be there that weekend," said Hibbets. "I ended up getting to know her once I started cardiac rehab through her program."  "When my boss, Jeff Pittman, heard the news about my fiancée," recalled Hibbets, "he said, ‘Wow! You got your heart fixed in two ways!’ "  To anyone seriously considering surgery like his, Hibbets said his remarks would be, "It can be the best life changing thing that could ever happen to you. Being fixed and knowing it allows you to lead a full, productive life."  Hibbets is scheduled to run his first half-marathon in the Norfolk Half-Marathon on Saturday, October 5^th. The race is being coordinated through the American Diabetes Association.

Submitted by Joe Dobrota, Regent University

Editor’s Note:  Sherwin successfully completed the Half-Marathon held on October 5^th and a December 7^th wedding is planned!  Congratulations, Sherwin!

SPOTLIGHT #2 - Sponsors & Vendors Chair, Martin Miles

Running is in his blood.  He looks like a runner.  He walks the walk and talks the talk.  He is our own Martin Miles, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Christopher Newport University.  Recently Martin competed in the Bay Bridge Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA.  Martin doesn’t enter marathons to just finish – he enters knowing that he can finish and hoping to end up in the upper echelon at the end of the race.  The top eight, and nine of the top 25 finishers this year listed other countries as their home and run the circuit looking for prize money.  Martin placed eighth among Virginia area runners and 26^th overall in a time of 3 hours, 7 minutes and 28 seconds.  Congratulations Martin!