Tony Montgomery
For Tony Montgomery, every workday begins the same way. As a member of the Supply Chain team at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, he's responsible for making sure the hospital has everything it needs to care for patients from IV supplies and surgical instruments to deliveries that arrive throughout the day.
Known for his upbeat personality, quick wit and infectious laugh, Montgomery is the kind of teammate who brightens every room he enters.
But on July 21, 2025, something was different.
"I drove in to work, and I was a little off when I woke up," Montgomery recalled. "I didn't think much of it."
As he walked from the parking lot to the warehouse, he realized something wasn't right. The short walk left him unusually exhausted, and simple tasks suddenly felt overwhelming.
His coworkers noticed immediately.
"Tony came in and wasn't himself," said Rachel Turner, supply chain coordinator. "He just wasn't the happy-go-lucky Tony like he usually is."
Concerned, she urged him to seek medical attention immediately.
"I told him, 'We need to go get checked out,'" she said. "'If you don't go, I'm going to push you down in this chair and you're going to go find out what's going on.'"
It was a decision that likely saved his life.
Within minutes of undergoing a CT scan in the Emergency Department, Montgomery's day took an unexpected turn.
"One minute I was in the CT scanner, and the next minute the doctor was introducing themselves to me," he said.
Physicians quickly determined Montgomery was suffering from a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by blood clots blocking arteries in the lungs.
After reviewing his scans, the care team knew immediate intervention was necessary.
"They told me they were going to run a catheter through my groin and try to remove the blood clots from my lungs," Montgomery recalled.
Interventional Radiologist Dr. Wylie Gomez and the hospital's Interventional Radiology team quickly assembled to perform a minimally invasive thrombectomy.
Using a specialized suction catheter, described by physicians as being similar to an oversized bubble tea straw, the team carefully removed the clots restricting blood flow to Montgomery's lungs.
"It was still surprising to see how much clot we got out of him," said Dr. Gomez.
Throughout the procedure, nurses stayed by Montgomery's side, explaining each step and helping keep him calm.
Only after arriving in Interventional Radiology did many members of the team realize the patient on the table wasn't just another patient. He was one of their own.
"If it wasn't for our IR team, I don't know that I'd be here today," Montgomery said.
Now, one year later, Montgomery is back doing what he loves, ensuring caregivers have the supplies they need to care for others. He's also taking time to reflect on the extraordinary team that cared for him when he needed it most.
"Thank you to every one of you for being kind, gentle and making sure everything happened the right way for me. It's scary to think about, but they were the catalyst for me being here today," said Montgomery.
For the physicians, nurses and technologists who cared for Montgomery, moments like these are what make their work meaningful.
"They get to go home and play with their dog or be with their kids or celebrate Christmas with their families," said Tisha Richardson, clinical nurse coordinator. "All the things I want to do. I get to help return patients to those moments."
Montgomery's story is a powerful reminder that exceptional healthcare isn't only about caring for patients. At HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, it also means caring for one another.
One year after a frightening medical emergency, a beloved Supply Chain colleague is back where he belongs. He is walking the same halls, sharing the same jokes and reminding everyone that sometimes the people who save lives are the teammates you've worked beside all along.
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