Seven weeks, four blocked arteries and one life-altering ordeal later, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Graduate Students David Van Buren has returned to UW-Platteville.

Van Buren had quadruple bypass surgery Dec.7, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. Arterial blockage was discovered after a failed stress test. Doctors were hoping to use stints to diminish blockage, but the blockage was too severe.

The surgery was successful and Van Buren was released from the hospital Dec.11. Doctors told the administrator that he would need to be under someone’s care for a month before he could return to living alone. He found aid in fellow faculty member Wally Iselin, professor of education, who offered Van Buren a place to stay.

Initially doctors told Van Buren he would be out of the office for two months.

“I was not really thinking about how long I would be out of office,” Van Buren said. “I just wanted to make it through the surgery, because I know two people who have died during the same procedure.”
Van Buren has been recovering quickly.

“I exercise for 40 minutes three days a week, and I am also on a restricted diet,” Van Buren said. “After I learned about my condition I stopped smoking. People say it is hard to quit cold turkey, but I knew I needed to and I did it.”

“We are excited about Dr. Van Buren’s return to UW-P and are pleased that he is successfully recovering,” Interim Chancellor Carol Sue Butts said. “We look forward to his input as we continue to pursue the university goals that have been set for this academic year.”

Van Buren would like to thank the campus and community for their support.