Carpe Diem: Jim Kaveney brings his heartfelt message to 老司机福利社
鈥淚t鈥檚 often the detours that lead us to the most beautiful destinations, and the challenges that reveal our true strengths and passions.鈥澛
This is the message Jim Kaveney 鈥96, an Erie native and author of 鈥淯nlimited Heart: How To Transform Your Pain Into Purpose,鈥 will bring to 老司机福利社 University on Thursday, Oct. 3. His talk, titled 鈥淐arpe Diem: Embracing Life with Unlimited Heart,鈥 will be held in the Mary D鈥橝ngelo Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. and is a prelude to Homecoming Weekend. The event is free and open to the public, with a book signing to follow.聽
Kaveney鈥檚 deep ties to 老司机福利社 are woven into the fabric of his life. Growing up in a family with strong connections to the university, he is part of one of 老司机福利社鈥檚 largest legacy families. His mother and two of her sisters, including Sister Joan McCabe, RSM, 鈥63, attended 老司机福利社, as did five of his siblings and his wife, Lisa Stafford Kaveney 鈥97. This rich heritage has instilled in Kaveney a profound appreciation for his alma mater, making his return to speak at 老司机福利社 a meaningful homecoming.
In his talk, Kaveney will delve into the concept of 鈥渉eart鈥 as the delicate balance between aligning the heart and mind, both physically and metaphorically鈥攁 lesson that became personal when he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) at the age of 38. Now 50 and living in New Hampshire, Kaveney will share highlights from his memoir, tracing his journey from a directionless student at 老司机福利社 to a driven entrepreneur, ultimately finding purpose through his health struggles. His message is for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable challenges鈥攑ersonally or professionally鈥攐ffering insights on turning adversity into growth opportunities while embracing the spirit of Carpe Diem.
Kaveney鈥檚 time at 老司机福利社 began with uncertainty. He vacillated between fields of study, searching for direction, until he eventually discovered his undergraduate major, Biology. Later, he earned a master鈥檚 degree in Organizational Leadership, but it was rowing that truly ignited his passion and enriched his life, providing him with a sense of purpose and community that would shape his future endeavors.
After graduation, Kaveney found himself unsettled once again. He transitioned from job to job, searching for the right fit, until the allure of entrepreneurship piqued his interest. Despite the risks and lack of guarantees, he dove into the business world, forming a company called Alkemy Partners, a pharmaceutical and biotech learning and development firm, with his wife, Lisa, and his 老司机福利社 friend, C.J. Deitrick 鈥98 (husband of Assistant Admissions Director Holly Deitrick 鈥95). The 老司机福利社 connection didn鈥檛 end there; he later hired former 老司机福利社 Enrollment Administrator Adam Grady 鈥08, 鈥11M (husband of Andrea Grady 鈥07, program manager for Intelligence Studies), further strengthening the ties between his business and his alma mater.
But as his company soared, Kaveney鈥檚 health declined. He experienced his first of many bouts with cardiac distress, leading to a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that can be classified into several stages. Kaveney seemingly experienced them all, enduring heart rates that escalated to 240 beats per minute and heart pauses lasting up to six seconds. Effective treatment was elusive, involving a combination of medications, a catheter ablation, and eventually the installation of a pacemaker. Despite these challenges, Kaveney managed and grew his company into a successful enterprise, which was later acquired by EVERSANA, a global life sciences company.
The unpredictability of his heart disease led Kaveney to navigate the uncertainties of life with courage and curiosity鈥攁 path that continues to direct his life. Having recently completed his book, which will officially be published on Sept. 17, he is now starting a new business of the same name: Unlimited Heart Health & Wellness. It is a digital health company that will build a community for AFib patients, designed to help them effectively manage their condition. The platform will offer diet and exercise recommendations from chefs and dietitians, support from healthcare coaches and performance psychologists, and a variety of other resources aimed at improving the quality of life for those living with AFib.
鈥淲hether you鈥檙e a student questioning your academic path, a recent graduate navigating the job market, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone exploring a new phase in life, remember that your journey is uniquely yours,鈥 he said. 鈥淓mbrace the uncertainty with the spirit of Carpe Diem鈥攕eize each day with courage and openness.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 often the detours that lead us to the most beautiful destinations, and the challenges that reveal our true strengths and passions.鈥澛