Heroes for Better: Anthony F. Altimari, MD, and RMG Colleagues

Medical Staff President, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, General Surgeon, Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group
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April 17, 2020 | 2 min. to read

Northwestern Medicine physicians recently used the power of music to lift staff spirits at Central DuPage Hospital. Regional Medical Group General Surgeon Anthony Altimari, MD, and his band Vital Signs were joined by three RMG colleagues — Critical Care Physician Jeffrey Huml, MD; Hospitalist Kiumars Moghadam, MD; and Cardiologist Michelle C. Montpetit, MD — for a lunchtime concert in the hospital's courtyard.
 
Band members, who appropriately stood six feet apart and wore PPE, played a concert for the dedicated staff members who report to work every day at the hospital to care for patients, and shared a special thank you to the ICU nurses and technicians.

“We’re so grateful for the unbelievable nurses and staff at Central DuPage Hospital during this unprecedented time and hope that this concert lifts their spirits,” says Dr. Altimari. “They’ve gone above and beyond to provide exceptional care to all of our patients.”

The physicians sang several emotional tunes, including “Lean on Me,” and some fun tunes to get the crowd moving. Highlights of the concert included:

• Dr. Montpetit singing “Amazing Grace” and “Son of a Preacher Man”
• Dr. Moghadam playing ukulele and singing “Riptide” and “Hallelujah”
• Dr. Huml playing “Two Pina Coladas” and “Margaritaville”

Immediately after playing his songs, Dr. Huml left to extubate a patient with COVID-19.

​"We had a great turnout, and everyone social distanced," says Marc Altimari, Dr. Altimari's son who plays bass guitar, sings in the band and is also in his first year of medical school. "People were watching from the parking garage and bed tower, and a few groups of nurses danced their lunch breaks away. It was a beautiful day, and it was great to be able to give everyone a moment of normalcy."

In addition to the midday concert, the CDH medical staff provided lunch and delivered Easter lilies to hospital workers.
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Members of the band Vital Signs include:

• Anthony Altimari, MD, on guitar
• Mike Flynn on guitar and vocals
• Marc Altimari (Dr. Altimari's son) on bass and vocals
• John Kufrin on keyboard and vocals
• Tom Colangelo on drums
• Emily Altimari (Dr. Altimari’s daughter and a communications specialist at Northwestern Medicine) on vocals

Click here for a video of Kiumars Moghadam, MD, a Regional Medical Group hospitalist, singing “Hallelujah”

​Heroes for Better is a campaign to honor our workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are seeking stories, photos or art that show teamwork, impactful interactions and inspiring moments. Some of your stories may be shared on NM Interactive, nm.org and/or NM social media channels. Submit your story by emailing [email protected].