February is American Heart Month, and this Arkansan of the Week has dedicated her time to making her patients more heart-healthy. Her goal is to give them a better quality of life. But, in many cases, she may have even saved their life.

Debby Taylor is a veteran nurse who makes house calls to nearly three-dozen heart patients. Her patients are mostly elderly, and either recovering from a heart attack or have some kind of heart disease. They're sometimes living alone, and have no family around.

(Debby Taylor, Nurse) “Often times I'll have patients who are in their 90's. They've out-lived their parents, their siblings, and in some cases, their own children, and they have no one. They're alone, and they're trying to manage their care.”

Debby is, in some cases, her patient's only friend. She even becomes family. And it's that connection--that relationship--that she tries to establish first. It's only then, she says, she can do her job improving the patient's diet and getting exercise into their routine.

She says the goal is to allow them to live independently for as long as possible.

(Taylor) “A lot of times they're terrified that they're going to end up right back in the hospital. And if we're not there to sort things out for them, that's exactly what happens.”

Debby's colleagues say she goes the extra mile, too--even when she's not on the clock.

(Taylor) “There are times when we're not working, we'll go by and check on them, make sure they have something to eat. Or if they've been having problems, call them on the telephone. Make sure they're alright.”

Her care--both physically, and emotionally--can help her patients live longer, and better.

(Taylor) “To me, it just feels like it's a calling. It's where I'm supposed to be, and what I'm supposed to be doing.”

Medicare covers 100% of Gentiva Health Services’ cardiopulmonary program, and many private insurance companies do too.

If you'd like to nominate someone to be the Arkansan of the Week, send an e-mail to scottinman@katv.com.