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Heartfelt Stories – When One Scan Changed Everything: Michael’s Story

Group portrait in a clinical setting featuring, from left to right, Brooke O’Connor, FNP-C; Robert D. Spencer, MD; patient Michael Greenough; and Lucas Shippee, DO. The four stand together and smile in front of a heart anatomy poster.
Heartfelt Stories – When One Scan Changed Everything: Michael's Story
Heartfelt Stories – When One Scan Changed Everything: Michael’s Story

Heartfelt Stories

At Monadnock Community Hospital, we are proud to share our Heartfelt Stories featuring inspiring testimonials from our patients, employees, volunteers, donors, and community members. Each story reflects the exceptional care, support, and compassion that define our commitment to our community. Join us in celebrating these remarkable journeys and the difference compassionate care can make.

When a volunteer CT scan unexpectedly revealed severe heart disease, Michael Greenough became the patient instead of the caregiver. His story highlights how Radiology, Cardiology, Mobile Integrated Healthcare, Behavioral Health, Primary Care, and Cardiac Rehabilitation worked together to support his recovery at Monadnock Community Hospital.

Michael Greenough of Jaffrey knows how to respond to emergencies. As Monadnock Community Hospital’s EMS Coordinator and Emergency Preparedness Specialist, and a longtime Jaffrey firefighter, he has spent years preparing for them.

What he was not prepared for was becoming the patient.

When Michael volunteered to help the Radiology team test a new calcium-scoring CT scan, the results changed everything. The scan revealed multiple blockages in his heart.

“Dr. Spencer told me, ‘You’ve got to do something about this now.’”

What followed was Monadnock Community Hospital at its best, a coordinated effort involving caregivers across multiple departments working together to support Michael’s recovery.

Robert D. Spencer, MD, of Monadnock Cardiology Associates moved quickly, connecting Michael with a specialist at Concord Hospital and helping fast-track his cardiac surgery. When complications extended his recovery, MCH’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare program stepped in, visiting Michael at home to draw the lab work needed before each follow-up appointment.

“Without MIH, I wouldn’t have had access to the care I needed at home.”

Michael also received support from Monadnock Behavioral Health.

“I saw Dr. Gunning through this process to make sure my brain was behaving itself,” he says.

At the same time, Lucas Shippee, DO, and the team at Monadnock Internal Medicine helped manage Michael’s diabetes, carefully monitoring medications and blood sugar levels throughout his cardiac recovery.

“Every department was there for me: Radiology, Cardiology, Behavioral Health, Primary Care, MIH. Each one played a part.”

Today, Michael is participating in cardiac rehabilitation at Monadnock Community Hospital and working toward an important goal: returning to duty on a fire truck.

“That’s what I’m working toward, getting stronger and better so that I can get back to caring for my community like they have cared for me.”

When asked what saved him, Michael does not hesitate. It was not just the scan. It was the people.

“I have nothing but admiration and awe for our staff. They’re a strong and amazing team. This was definitely a case where it takes a village.”

 

Cover of Monadnock Community Hospital’s 2026 Report to Our Community titled Moving Care Forward Together featuring two patient care moments. Left image shows a physician smiling and supporting a young child taking steps. Right image shows a rehabilitation patient standing between parallel bars with a staff member smiling beside him. The Monadnock Community Hospital logo appears between the images above a blue background with the report title.

MCH 2026 Annual Report

Infographic illustrating Michael Greenough’s coordinated care journey from preventive screening through surgery, rehabilitation, and recovery.