“Mattress Mack” Shows Olympic-Sized Gratitude for BCM
When Houston residents see Jim McIngvale on television, they usually get “Mattress Mack,” the fast-talking, instantly recognizable pitchman and owner of Gallery Furniture. However, during the 2008 Summer Olympics broadcast, they saw another side to Jim—the grateful family member of a Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) patient.
A long-time supporter of the College, Jim donated airtime for a series of commercials highlighting BCM’s expert physicians. In a 30-second spot that first aired between Olympic swimming races featuring American gold medalist Michael Phelps, Jim told the story of his family’s experience with Baylor College of Medicine. Production of the advertisement was donated by Brenda Love and her Houston-based company Love Advertising, which handles Jim’s furniture commercials. In the touching testimonial, Jim recalled when his brother, George McIngvale, was hospitalized with a life-threatening heart condition. Eager to ensure that his brother had the best possible care, Jim called Baylor Clinic’s chief of cardiology Douglas Mann, MD. Mann shepherded George through a successful recovery and Jim closes the ad saying, “Baylor College of Medicine saved [George’s] life.” But there’s so much more to the story. In October 2006, George was hospitalized with a rapid heartbeat. His condition worsened as a staph infection spread from his arm to his heart. Jim, who was once treated by Dr. Mann, called his physician seeking help. Dr. Mann had just returned from a conference overseas. Without a second thought, the physician headed to the hospital where George was being treated. Dr. Mann reviewed George’s condition and recommended that he be transferred to the TexasMedicalCenter. He was treated by BCM physicians for more than a week until he was fit for surgery. The surgery and recovery went smoothly and George gained two precious years with loved ones and friends. Sadly, he would succumb to complications related to heart disease in December of 2008. In the advertisement, Jim states that Baylor College of Medicine has “the world’s finest doctors and the world’s finest care.” At a presentation of the ad to Baylor Clinic physicians and staff, he reflected on those sentiments. “I have learned in my life it’s not how much you know, it’s how much you care,” Jim said, “and the people at Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor Clinic care more than anybody I know.”
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