Athletic Trainers Save Fan's Life
As a former paramedic, John Palumbo knows that moments matter in a medical emergency. Palumbo is alive today thanks to the quick actions taken by athletic trainers at Ƶ University.
On Feb. 10, Palumbo was in the McKenna Center to cheer on senior men's basketball player Ryan Meis when he collapsed. He had suffered what is known as a widow-maker heart attack - one that only about 12 percent of people survive. That's when Independence Health System athletic trainers contracted by Ƶ came to his rescue.
Ƶ Head Athletic Trainer Trevor Lotz, trainer Nicole Markiewicz and Clarion Athletic Trainer Dave Snowberger came together to administer CPR, deploy an AED and resuscitate Palumbo. Paramedics took him to Independence Health System Westmoreland Hospital, and after surgical intervention, he was released.
Palumbo attended the men's basketball team's Senior Day on February 24 to thank Lotz and Markiewicz and celebrate his new lease on life.
You can read more of his story in this and watch a honoring the trainers here.
Photos by Barry Reeger. Video by Mike Gallagher.
