Italians in America – Our Immigrant Stories: This pioneer in health care is a true son of Italy who leads from his Italian-American heart

Written by Tanya Tecce

Dr. Nicholas De Pace is the only child of Italian-American parents, 100 percent Italian and undeniably one of a kind.

Dr. Nicholas L. De Pace and one of his several published books, circa 2016.

Practicing the art and science of medicine for 46 years now, his story begins with his father’s parents immigrating from Naples; and his mother’s from Cosenza and Sicily, by way of Argentina. They all settled in Newark, N.J., in St. Michael’s Parish.

His grandfather crafted leather briefcases, his dad worked in the supermarket business, and as many Italians and Italian Americans can relate to, Dr. De Pace’s father encouraged his son to pursue “a better life,” and get an education. And that he did.

Nurse Ron, Dr. De Pace and his longtime patient Annette amidst an art adorned hallway in the new office, November 2024.

He is the first college graduate on his dad’s side. The family knitted closely over Italian-American traditions like Christmas Eve and Easter dinners in their home in North Jersey while the doctor attended Seton Hall for undergrad, then Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Traditions continued when he moved to South Jersey in 1978 to start his residency and fellowship at Hahnemann University.

And that’s where he fell in love with the Italian-American culture and people of Philadelphia.

Dr. De Pace fittingly started his practice right there in the heart of it, on Broad Street in South Philly, where his unique approach to health, living life well (Italian style!) and cultivating community thrived for 37 years.

In 2021 he built a state-of-the-art neurocardiology healing center in New Jersey, with emphasis on the “art.” His palazzo of healing is unlike any other doctor’s office you’ve seen.

Dr. De Pace, former Yankee and two-time World Series Champ Roy White, and Nicholas De Pace, Jr., at the Museum 2023.

There’s so much breathtaking artwork adorning the many walls, you may at first feel as if you stepped into a museum. Throughout the office, there are also the six books published by the doctor, including “The Heart Repair Manual,” and others on anxiety and fatigue.

Along with the art and literature, there is of course, the pioneering science: the cardiology, autonomic dysfunction, and biofeedback used here is cutting-edge.

And as unique as the art and science of his practice is, perhaps most striking of all is the time spent and the sense of community Dr. De Pace cultivates with his people. This is no 15-minute in-and-out with a doctor who barely knows you. This is sitting down with a doctor that knows your name, your mom’s name, and your children’s names; perhaps with biscotti a patient shared as a gift because the feeling here is that warm, and of course, coming from the heart.

It’s such a nourishing approach that people are willing to wait. In fact, we sit in the majestic waiting room amidst the artwork and the type of solid, heavy furniture they just don’t make anymore, watched over by the sign that says your wait could be up to three or so hours. And it’s OK because we know what’s on the other side of that wait, and that it’s worth it.

The doctor also recently opened the De Pace Museum of Sports, the first nonprofit major sports museum in the South Jersey area. It is a large 6,000-square-foot playground, celebrating and educating on the great history of Philadelphia and world athletes. Who would have guessed when Dr. De Pace’s dad gave him his first baseball cards in 1961 that he’d one day build a sprawling museum as testimony to the tradition, celebration and camaraderie of sports. Part of the impressive display includes one of the doctor’s dearest friends for 35 years, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, whom the doctor remembers fondly as “just a lovely, lovely guy.” The museum is currently offering free group tours, and caters to our elderly and youth communities.

Although the good doctor was initially a Yankees fan, when his son Nicholas was born he got involved in Philadelphia sports and then, naturally, a passion for the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers  developed. The doctor’s ardor for sports collectibles has landed the museum on both the Netflix special, “King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch,” as well as the channel 6 ABC special “One Tank Trip!”

Dr. De Pace also cares for many famous Italian Americans and athletes all while remembering to give back to our roots in Italy. He helped the St. Gerard Monastery in Campania rebuild a bell tower; and he loves to contribute to the artists there and collect breathtaking pieces to bring home and show his patients.

The doctor has lectured at the Policlinico Umberto I, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Sapienza Università di Roma. He speaks Italian and has visited Italy 14 times now so far. He counts his ancestors’ towns in Campania (Amalfi and Naples) and Sicily amongst his favorites.

A mason in the Hammonton, N.J., Lodge, Dr. De Pace’s community involvement benefits churches, their causes and centuries-old traditions and festivals of saints such as San Gennaro, the patron saint of his grandparents’ hometown Naples.

Dr. De Pace’s amazing success and contributions beautifully highlight a theme in all our Italian-American immigrant stories:  that it’s the both and more that will take it to another level.

It’s the art and the science. It’s the tradition and the innovation. And it’s the health of the heartbeat of an individual that makes the entire community thrive.

Nicholas L. De Pace, M.D., is a noninvasive cardiologist whose passion is heart health and treatment of autonomic functions. He’s published several leading articles in his field and co-authored the book “The Heart Repair Manual.” Dr. DePace treats his patients holistically, naturally, and medically and when possible, tries to avoid bypass and other invasive procedures. His office is now in Sicklerville, N.J. He and wife Marilyn have been married since 1981 and have one son, Nicholas Jr., and one grandson, Nicholas III. More information on his practice and his sports collectible museum can be found at depacemuseum.org and franklincardiovascular.com