Hays ? The decision to bring a heart institute to Hays literally has been a life saver for 500 people since the institute opened in 1998.

Carolyn and Irvin Jacobs are among those grateful for the Michael E. DeBakey Heart Institute of Kansas at Hays Medical Center. Both have undergone open heart surgery at the institute.

The Jacobs, of Hays, were among about 300 people who returned to the medical center Friday to celebrate the institute’s 500th open heart surgery, which occurred in January.

The star of the gathering was Dr. Steven Bailey, the heart surgeon who the Hays Medical Center board of directors brought to Hays in 1998.

Bailey doesn’t take full credit for the success of the medical center’s heart surgery team.

“I have a part to do, but it’s only a part,” Bailey said. “I’m just one part of the team, and we all have to work together.”

Bailey said his greatest reward is seeing so many of his patients still walking around.

“It’s good to see people come back, and in general, they’re all doing really well,” Bailey said. “For them to be enjoying life again, that’s great to see.”

One of Bailey’s biggest fans is Bill Aubel, who was a member of the medical center’s board for 30 years before stepping down in October. He had open heart surgery just more than two weeks ago.

“We made the decision to buy the equipment to have cardiac care here when I was on the board, and I’m now (reaping the benefits),” Aubel said.

Kelly Hedlund, who operates the heart-lung machine during the open heart surgeries, said he is glad to be part of a team that helps so many people in rural western Kansas.

“The thing with heart disease, it’s unforgivable,” Hedlund said. “If you don’t get treated at the onset of symptoms. … Being able to come to Hays instead of having to go to Wichita or Denver shortens the window of time for people in northwest Kansas to get critical care, shortens it by hours.”

Mike Butler will vouch for that.

Butler, a 43-year-old Hays man, was collecting tools at his home one Sunday last September when he felt a severe pain in his chest.

Butler’s wife, Sheryl, and their two young daughters, then ages 9 and 6, rushed him to Hays Medical Center.

One of the arteries to Mike Butler’s heart had 100 percent blockage, and he had emergency surgery later that day.

“I knew about the heart center,” Sheryl Butler said, “but you don’t appreciate it as much until you’re affected. We are very, very lucky to have something that vital here.”