John Walmsley has a soft voice he uses as he casually explains the anatomy of heart. He holds out a 3D model, points to its different valves, and lists its name and what it does. The confidence he has in explaining the operation and function of the heart brings comfort. 

Your heart is safe with him.

Walmsley is an echo sonographer, which means he is able to get special imaging of hearts that will, in turn, be given to a cardiologist for evaluation.

Walmsley has worked at Grande Ronde Hospital since 1987. Through the years he has acquired a nickname, which is fitting: “the heart guy.”

Some could argue he helps mend broken hearts. He certainly helps save lives. He talks with the patients during the procedure and sets them at ease. If he is concerned, he will get the cardiologist immediately to talk with the patient.

While sitting at his computer, he gives two examples of previous patients he has helped. A 60-year-old man showed abnormalities on his echocardiogram that warranted further testing to evaluate blood flow to his heart muscle. Walmsley spotted something on the echo and brought that to the cardiologist’s attention. After further evaluation, it was determined the patient had developed coronary artery blockages requiring stents.

Another patient was just a day old when Walmsley met her. He was able to help diagnose this issue, consult with the pediatrician, and arrangements were made for her to follow up with Doernbecher Specialty Pediatrics Clinic in Pendleton.

”The problem (with having Doernbecher treat her) after referring out is I never got to see her again,” he said laughing. He enjoys caring for babies and children, putting them at ease and getting them the medical care they need.

“We really care about patient outcomes. We see them (out in the community).”

He gets attached to his patients.

Walmsley originally came to the hospital to be a respiratory therapist. Just after that, he had the opportunity to go to
St. Luke’s in Boise and cross-train in echocardiography. 

“So I came back and we established GRH’s first Echo Lab,” he said. “I think that’s an important part of the hospital. As an independent hospital, we have complete control of the lab, so we have the flexibility to always do the right thing for patients.”

Through the genesis of the echocardiography lab, Walmsley and the cardiology team have been able to build it into what he wants to see at the hospital and for the community. He added that GRH has also made sure the lab has the best state-of-the-art equipment that is rare to see in a hospital this size. GRH has the same equipment as the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). GRH routinely sends the echo images to the OHSU cardiologists to review before they see the patient.

“You think you’re coming to Mayberry, and it’s this wonderful place with amazing people,” he said. “And the hospital is able to help patients in their own community without having to send them to larger metropolitan areas.”

Throughout his career, he has seen a rise in patients. He explains with the availability of health care growing, and the lifestyle changes getting worse, his patient load has increased.

”People are getting sicker all the time,” he said. “It’s easier to get access to medicine now, but your lifestyle is how you end up in an echo lab.”

Looking toward the future, the biggest challenge is staffing. The echo lab has had two echo technologists in the past, but Walmsley is back on his own. As staffing shortages in the health care industry continue, it has been difficult to find someone qualified to take that second position they’ve been trying to hire for.

But he looks back at his career and is thankful for where he is.

Walmsley even met his wife, Lesa, at GRH.

“I love my story here. We met in 1987 and (Lesa) swept me off my feet,” he said laughing.

”All the right people came here at the right time,” he said. “What an amazing career (I’ve had). This is my life’s work.

You never know what you’re getting in to when taking a job, but it’s been wonderful. Just personally and professionally rewarding for me for years. And it’s been getting better all the time.”