The community's heart

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Russ Fehrman loves his community. He has lived in Coshocton for 40 years and spent his life making it better. He has served on numerous local boards of directors, given over 20 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross, has dressed as Santa Claus for over 20 years, volunteered at the local board of elections and even installed a book library in his yard.

When asked why he does so much, he shrugged and said, “Sometimes you can’t write giant checks, so you give your time instead.”

A few years ago, Russ was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib. This occurs when the heart’s upper right and left atria chambers contract out of rhythm. AFib increases your chance of blood clots, especially in the left atrial appendage (LAA) and makes you five times more likely to have a stroke.

As a result, Russ started taking blood thinners. Taking the medication meant he was more likely to bleed easily, which prevented him from giving blood and limited a few of his activities.

That meant Russ couldn’t do everything he wanted. He couldn’t do as much for his community. Being limited in how he could help his family, friends and neighbors wasn’t acceptable to Russ.

It starts with a desire

Russ started researching for ways to get off blood thinners. His efforts led him to learning about a procedure involving a tiny implant that prevents blood clots in the LAA by closing it. During a routine visit at the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center, Russ shared his desire to stop taking blood thinners. He also asked Jason Bryant, APRN-CNP, Nurse Practitioner in cardiology, about the procedure he discovered.

Before Russ returned home, he received a call from Genesis to undergo a screening for the procedure.

“Getting off blood thinners was important to me,” said Russ. “However, I was thrilled at how quickly Genesis reacted. They listened and took my desires seriously. It was great.”

Russ passed the procedure screening and had the minimally invasive procedure performed in April 2024 by Kinan Kassar, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board certified Interventional and Structural Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute.

“During the procedure, we inserted a narrow tube into a blood vessel in Russ’ upper leg and directed it to his LAA,” said Dr. Kassar. “We then maneuvered the implant through the tube until it reached the LAA and unfolded it like an umbrella. A thin layer of tissue grew over the implant’s surface in about 45 days, enabling Russ to stop taking blood thinners.”

“Genesis listened and explained things as much as I needed. I am so happy I had the procedure.”

Back to what he loves

Russ returned home within hours of the procedure, started to feel better right away and was happy he had one less pill to take each day. He was also able to start donating blood again and continue other volunteer activities with less concern about falling that could result in severe bleeding.

“I was overwhelmed by the level of warmth the whole Genesis system expressed to me,” said Russ. “They were engaging, listened and explained things as much as I needed. Their attention to detail gave me confidence in them. I am so happy I had the procedure.”