Gene Calkins figures he should be dead. But like a cat with nine lives, the 52-year-old rural Bloomer resident - whom his neighbor calls Morris after the feline star of 9Lives cat food commercials - has survived eight heart attacks. He also has shed more than 300 pounds during the past three years and feels as if he's been given a second chance at life, and he's determined to make the most of it…Calkins credits his doctor - Kristen Bruxvoort, a family practice physician with Mayo Clinic Health System - and Community Health Partnership for helping him get healthy enough to enjoy life again. He lauded Bruxvoort for suggesting gastric bypass surgery.

Additional coverage: NECN Mass.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Christena O’Brien

Tags: Community Health Partnership, Dr. Kristen Bruxvoort, heart attack, Mayo Clinic Health System, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Weight, Wellness