Cardiologist with a heart

Jan. 1, 2016, my best friend since elementary school (Marylyn Jessup Hart) dies in Washington state. A stent was being installed in her heart and she didn't survive.

Since then, I've tried to learn more about cardiovascular disease.

I uncovered an amazing story about Dr. Dale G. Renlund, who completed his medical residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md.

Born in Salt Lake City in 1952, he and his siblings grew up speaking Swedish at home. His mother was Swedish and his father was from western Finland. (Finnish and Swedish were his languages.)

In 1963, the Redlund family went to Helsinki, Finland, and Gothenburg, Sweden. Mariana Anderson Renlund and Mats Renlund served as Mormon missionaries in those countries for two years. Mats spoke both Finnish and Swedish once again.

Dale G. Renlund placed his medical career on hold and went to the southeast African Congo in 2009. He studied French and traveled thousands of miles for five years as a missionary. His medical knowledge as a heart specialist was invaluable. (The Congolese were humble and poverty-stricken).

Although it is said that he left his practice as a busy cardiologist back in the U.S., he dedicated his medical and missionary skills to the people of the southeast Congo.

Fellow physician Dr. A. G. K. Fuury has praised Dr. Renlund's character and compassion.

If a patient lacked transportation to receive medical care, Dr. Renlund drove long distances to their home. He lifted them into his car and took them to the hospital.

Sept. 29, 2015, Dr. Renland was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church.

I am left wondering if he had been my friend's cardiologist if he could have saved her with a transplant or other medical procedure.

Helen Ruth Arnold,

Trenton, Nebraska