Former Pa. Gov. Ridge Hospitalized: What We Know

why was former pa governor ridge hospitalized

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was hospitalized in 2021 after suffering a stroke at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. Ridge, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, had a successful procedure to remove a blood clot and was said to be in critical but stable condition. This was not Ridge's first health scare, as he suffered a heart attack in 2017 while in Texas for a Republican Governors Association conference.

Characteristics Values
Name Thomas Joseph Ridge
Date of Birth 26 August 1945
Political Party Republican
Position Former Governor of Pennsylvania
Reason for Hospitalization Suffered a stroke
Date of Hospitalization 16 June 2021
Location Hospital in Washington, DC
Condition Critical but stable
Procedure Emergency surgery to remove a blood clot
Previous Health Issues Heart attack in November 2017

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Tom Ridge's stroke in 2021

Tom Ridge, a former Pennsylvania governor and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, suffered a stroke in June 2021 at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Ridge, 75, was hospitalized and underwent an emergency procedure to remove a blood clot. According to his family, he was conscious when he arrived at the emergency department and was in critical but stable condition after the procedure.

Ridge's hospitalization came as a shock to many, including friends and politicians across the political spectrum. Well-wishes and prayers for his recovery poured in from various sources, including Pennsylvania Senator Dan Laughlin, who took to Twitter to express his support for his "good friend" and wish him a "speedy and full recovery."

This health scare was not Ridge's first; in November 2017, he suffered a heart attack while in Austin, Texas, for a Republican Governors Association conference. Ridge summoned medical help to his hotel room and ended up in a coma for five days, reportedly flatlining three times during that period. Ridge made a recovery and attributed it to "modest lifestyle changes."

Thomas Joseph Ridge, born on August 26, 1945, is a prominent American politician and author. He served in the Vietnam War, receiving multiple honours, including the Bronze Star with "V" Device and the National Defense Service Medal. After the war, he returned to Pennsylvania and embarked on a legal career, eventually entering politics. Ridge was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1994 and served until 2001 when he joined President George W. Bush's administration as the nation's first Homeland Security Secretary following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

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Ridge's blood clot and emergency procedure

Former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge was hospitalized after suffering a stroke at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, on June 16, 2021. The 75-year-old was conscious when he arrived at the emergency department and underwent an emergency procedure to remove a blood clot.

Ridge's family released a statement saying that he was in critical but stable condition following the surgery. They also shared updates on his Twitter account, informing the public that he was conscious upon arrival at the hospital and that the procedure to remove the clot had been successful.

The news of Ridge's hospitalization came as a shock to many, including friends and politicians from both parties. Well-wishes and prayers for his recovery poured in from various sources, including Senator Dan Laughlin, who tweeted his support for his "good friend" and expressed that Ridge was a "true source of pride" for his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Prior to this incident, Ridge had suffered a heart attack in November 2017 while attending a conference in Austin, Texas. He had been in a coma for five days and reportedly flatlined three times during that episode. Ridge made a recovery and returned to his active life, leading Ridge Global, a firm specializing in cybersecurity and risk management.

The blood clot that Ridge experienced in 2021 was a serious complication that required immediate medical attention and surgery. The successful removal of the clot and Ridge's subsequent stable condition are positive indicators of his recovery.

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Ridge's critical but stable condition

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was hospitalized after suffering a stroke at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, on June 16, 2021. The 75-year-old was conscious when he arrived at the emergency department and underwent a successful procedure to remove a blood clot. Ridge's family released a statement saying that he was in critical but stable condition.

Ridge's hospitalization came as a shock to many, including his friends and politicians across the aisle. Well-wishes poured in from various officials in Pennsylvania and beyond, with many taking to Twitter to express their support and pray for his recovery. Senator Dan Laughlin, for instance, tweeted:

> "I wish a speedy and full recovery to my good friend, former Governor Tom Ridge. Governor Ridge is a true source of pride for my hometown, Erie, Pennsylvania. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ridge family."

This was not Ridge's first health scare. In November 2017, he suffered a heart attack while in Texas for a Republican Governors Association conference. The heart attack was severe, resulting in a coma for five days, during which he flatlined thrice. Ridge made a recovery and returned to his busy life, leading his two businesses, Ridge Global and Ridge Policy Group, and serving on various corporate boards.

Thomas Joseph Ridge, born on August 26, 1945, is a prominent American politician and author. He served in the Vietnam War, receiving multiple honours, including the Bronze Star with "V" Device and the National Defense Service Medal. After the war, he returned to Pennsylvania and graduated with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Dickinson School of Law in 1972. He then entered private practice and became assistant district attorney in Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 1980, prosecuting 86 cases in two years. Ridge won his first election to Congress in 1982 and was subsequently re-elected five times. In 1994, he was elected governor of Pennsylvania and was re-elected in 1998 with 57% of the vote in a four-way race. He served as governor until 2001 when he joined the Bush administration as the nation's first secretary of homeland security, a position he held until 2005.

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Ridge's previous heart attack in 2017

In November 2017, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge suffered a heart attack in Austin, Texas. Ridge had been in Texas to attend a Republican Governors Association conference when he summoned medical help to his hotel room. The heart attack was severe, and Ridge was in a coma for five days, flatlining three times. Ridge's wife, Michele, recounted how she had a priest administer her husband's last rites. Fortunately, Ridge survived the heart attack and went on to make some "modest lifestyle changes".

Ridge's health had generally been good since leaving public office in 2005. Before his heart attack in 2017, Ridge had been busy with his two businesses: Ridge Global, which specialises in cybersecurity and risk management, and Ridge Policy Group, which works in government relations in Washington and Harrisburg. He had also been spending time on various corporate boards and serving as chair of the National Organization on Disability. Ridge had also penned a book, "The Test of Our Times", which gave an insider's view of America's response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Ridge's heart attack in 2017 came as a surprise to his friends and former associates, as the former governor had been known for his high energy and full schedule even after leaving public office. The news of his hospitalisation caused concern not just in his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, but also across the larger political world. Well-wishers from Pennsylvania and beyond sent words of support, and many took to Twitter to pray for Ridge's recovery.

Ridge's busy schedule and dedication to his work continued even after his heart attack in 2017. In 2021, he was hospitalised again after suffering a stroke at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. Ridge underwent an emergency procedure to remove a blood clot and was reported to be in critical but stable condition. Once again, the news of his hospitalisation prompted an outpouring of support and prayers for his recovery from politicians and well-wishers alike.

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Ridge's decorated political career

Thomas Joseph Ridge, popularly known as Tom Ridge, is an American politician and author. Ridge's decorated political career began with his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, for which he received several honours, including the Bronze Star with "V" Device, the National Defence Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. After returning to Pennsylvania, Ridge graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Dickinson School of Law in 1972 and entered private practice.

Ridge's political career took off in 1980 when he became the assistant district attorney in Erie County, Pennsylvania. In just two years, he prosecuted 86 cases. In 1982, Ridge won a seat in Congress from northwestern Pennsylvania by a slim margin of 729 votes. He went on to serve six terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995, demonstrating his strong support in the region.

In 1994, despite being relatively unknown outside of northwestern Pennsylvania, Ridge ran for governor as a pro-choice Republican. He successfully won the election and became the 43rd governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1995 to 2001. During his time in office, Ridge gained recognition for his leadership and was reelected in 1998 with a significant majority of 57% in a four-way race.

Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Ridge's close friend and President of the United States, George W. Bush, created the Office of Homeland Security within the White House. Bush appointed Ridge as the nation's first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, a position he held from 2001 to 2003. Ridge was tasked with developing and coordinating a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen the country against terrorist threats and attacks. In 2003, he became the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving until 2005.

Even after leaving public office, Ridge remained active in various capacities. He chaired the National Organization on Disability and served on several corporate boards. Ridge also founded Ridge Global, a firm specializing in cybersecurity and risk management, and the Ridge Policy Group, which works in government relations. Additionally, he has authored a book, "The Test of Our Times," offering an insider's perspective on America's response to the September 11 attacks.

Frequently asked questions

Former Pa. Governor Ridge was hospitalized after suffering a stroke at his home in Bethesda, Maryland.

Governor Ridge suffered the stroke due to a blood clot.

He underwent an operation to remove the clot and was in a critical but stable condition.

Yes, in 2017, Governor Ridge suffered a heart attack in Austin, Texas, and was hospitalized for five days.

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