The stories of 27 survivors and those who helped save them were shared during the Essex-Windsor EMS and Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program 11th Annual Survivor Day. The event, held May 24, 2024, at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts, celebrated survivors of trauma and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2023.
Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics responded to more than 600 calls for patients with no vital signs in 2023. The 27 cases celebrated at Survivor Day highlight how the quick, informed actions of bystanders and the medical skills of paramedics can save lives.
The Survivor Day cases involved 72 paramedics (some who took part in more than one event), 35 firefighters, seven ambulance communications officers (one who was involved in multiple events), two police officers and 37 others who helped, including two physicians and a medical staff member who assisted in two separate cases. Four cases involved the use of publicly accessible automated external defibrillators.
Read the Survivor Day address by Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers.
Case 1: January 8
Paramedics: Gerry Seguin, Lauren Clark, Danielle Beauchamp
Others: Stacey Paquette, Nicklas Poisson
Staff at a medical facility found the patient unresponsive. A code blue, indicating the patient needed to be resuscitated, was announced with the patient’s room number. When Stacey Paquette, the patient’s long-time caregiver, heard the call, she immediately rushed to the room along with a registered nurse. She helped coordinate necessary tasks and filled in the code blue sheet. Respiratory therapist Nicklas Poisson also responded to assist with airway management. They worked alongside several other staff members to administer CPR and use a defibrillator to administer one shock to this patient before paramedics arrived.
Advanced Care Paramedic Gerry Seguin and Paramedics Lauren Clark and Danielle Beauchamp found the patient awake and responding appropriately. They obtained vital signs and a 12-lead EKG of the heart rhythm and monitored the patient until they arrived at the hospital.
Stacey Paquette, Lauren Clark and Nicklas Poisson
Case 2: January 13
Survivor: Stefan Kolasa
Paramedics: Dino Soulliere, District Chief Sarah Bezaire, Matthew Moore, Luca Distefano
Others: Mike and Danese Lacroix, Anthony and Gloria Kouzoukas, Steven Fenner, Rachel Barnes, Nick Basejlj, Dwyane Martin
While shopping with his wife, Stefan Kolasa suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. Coincidentally, a paramedic, two nurses and a firefighter – all off duty – were shopping in the same area. Mike and Danese Lacroix initiated CPR after finding Kolasa had no pulse. Anthony and Gloria Kouzoukas retrieved a publicly accessible automatic external defibrillator and airway supplies from security staff. Steven Fenner, Rachel Barnes, Nick Basejlj and Dwyane Martin, who notified 911, secured the scene, provided direction for arriving paramedics and assisted with CPR.
After Kolasa’s heart was analyzed and shocked once, Gloria Kouzoukas was able to confirm a pulse was present. Kolasa regained consciousness before Paramedics Dino Soulliere, District Chief Sarah Bezaire, Matthew Moore and Luca Distefano arrived. They applied oxygen, and obtained vital signs and a 12-lead EKG prior to departing for the hospital.
Kolasa said his outlook on life has changed, and he is eating healthier and exercising more. He and his wife are forever grateful to the two couples who helped save his life and who they consider their angels, they said.
Standing: Gloria Kouzoukas, District Chief Sarah Bezaire, Matthew Moore, Luca Distefano, Stefan Kolasa, Danese Lacroix, Dwayne Martin, Mike Lacroix and Rachel Barnes
Kneeling: Anthony Kouzoukas and Steven Fenner
Case 3: January 27
Paramedics: Ray Serifi, Marina Lawrie
The patient did not want the details of this case divulged, but asked to share these words of gratitude: “The attending EMS personnel and staff at the health institute have my full gratitude for their life-saving efforts during my medical event. I applaud them for their professionalism and compassion and sincerely hope they have received appropriate recognition within their respective professional areas.”
Marina Laurie and Ray Serifi
Case 4: February 18
Paramedics: Suhaib Hammoud, Tyler Tofflemire
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Remi Cusinato, James Pukay, Robert Higgins, Paulo Amicone
Paramedics Suhaib Hammoud and Tyler Tofflemire responded to a call at a home and found the patient without a pulse and respirations. Windsor firefighters Remi Cusinato, James Pukay, Robert Higgins and Paulo Amicone arrived to assist. The crew quickly started CPR, applied the defibrillator, inserted an advanced airway and established an IV while monitoring for the return of a pulse. After several minutes of continuous CPR, they noted a strong pulse. They were able to obtain vital signs and administer intravenous fluid while transporting the patient to the hospital.
Case 5: February 19
Survivor: Rick Masaro
Paramedics: Brandon Bellehumeur, Meaghan Lyons, Courtney Boughner, Amanda McCarton
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Capt. David McGregor, Ryan Lee, Bruce Jean, Dylan Little, Paul Harvey
Other: Charlene Norton
Rick Masaro and Charlene Norton had attended an early show and the gone out to eat. When they returned home, Rick changed into his pajamas and settled on the couch in the living room to watch a hockey game on TV. Charlene was in their bedroom shortly afterwards when she heard abnormal sounds coming from the living room. When she went to check on Rick, she found him with unconscious on the couch.
She immediately called 911 and opened the front door. The she used all her strength to get Rick onto the floor, saying later, “I forgot to put a pillow down so he probably hit his head.”
Charlene, a dental assistant, is trained in CPR and start doing chest compressions until Windsor firefighters arrived and took over. Soon there were two fire trucks, two ambulances and two police cars outside the house.
Fire Captain, David McGregor talked to Charlene and helped to keep her calm while paramedics Brandon Bellehumeur, Meaghan Lyons, Courtney Boughner and Amanda McCarton, and firefighters Ryan Lee, Bruce Jean, Dylan Little and Paul Harvey worked to resuscitate Rick and initiate transport to the hospital.
Rick spent months in the hospital. Seven stents were placed in his heart and a pacemaker/defibrillator inserted. Once he was stable, he was sent to Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to assist with his recovery.
Rick now walks every day and is able to play golf, as well as enjoy his family. He continues to work in a field he has been in for over 40 years. Asked if his outlook on life changed, Rick said: “No. People have it way worse than me. I can still play golf, work and live my life. The hardest part is my memory loss. But I live with it and have created a system that works for me. I’m one of those guys who wants to live. I still had some things to do. I am just so thankful. What else can I say?”
Charlene calls him her “miracle man” and tells him that he has won the lottery three times so far in his life. The first was meeting her. The second was surviving his first cardiac arrest. And the third was surviving another cardiac arrest. Charlene and Rick have been together for 38 years and made it official on March 15, 2024, by getting married.
Capt. David McGregor, Amanda McCarton, Rick Masaro, Charlene Norton and Meaghan Lyons
Case 6: March 10
Paramedics: Robert Ulicny, Christopher Dziedzic, John Mitrevski
Windsor Police Service: Const. Trevor Snyder, Brett MacNeil
Paramedics and Windsor Police officers responded to a call for an unknown problem. Constables Trevor Snyder and Brett MacNeil, who were the first on the scene, found the patient not responding and with inadequate respirations. As the officers administered Naloxone, Paramedic Robert Ulicny arrived. He began assisting the patient to breathe with bag-valve-mask ventilation, but the patient deteriorated and lost a pulse. Chest compressions were initiated as the transport paramedics Christopher Dziedzic and John Mitrevski arrived. The arriving paramedics assessed patient, who had a pulse and was breathing, and ensured the patient was stable.
Brett MacNeil, Const. Trevor Snyder, Christopher Dziedzic and John Mitrevski
Case 7: March 30
Paramedics: Che-lyn Marier, Kenji Takeshima, Matthew Moore, John Rinaldi Ross
Ambulance Communications Officer: Michelle Wielink
Family members of the patient were performing CPR and Ambulance Communications Officer Michelle Wielink was on the other end of the phone directing them when Paramedics Che-lyn Marier and Kenji Takeshima arrived. They were told the patient had no pulse and respirations, and took over doing CPR. They also suctioned the patient’s airway. When they analyzed the patient’s heart rhythm, they noted a pulse had been restored. Marier and Takeshima checked the patient’s vital signs and inserted an IV before Advanced Care Paramedic John Rinaldi Ross and Paramedic Matthew Moore arrived and assisted in stabilizing the patient by establishing an advanced airway and suctioning, obtaining a 12-lead EKG, administering medications and monitoring vital signs while on route to the hospital.
Michelle Wielink, Che-lyn Marier, Kenji Takeshima and Matthew Moore
Case 8: April 8
Paramedics: Jacob Vincent, Joel Wieczorek, John Rinaldi Ross, Robert Ulicny, Matthew Moore
Ambulance Communications Officer: Michelle Wielink
The Windsor Central Ambulance Communication Centre received a call for a patient who had been unwell for several days and had collapsed. Ambulance Communications Officer Michelle Wielink was told by a bystander on the scene that the patient no longer had a pulse and was not breathing. She directed them to initiate CPR.
When paramedics Jacob Vincent, Joel Wieczorek, John Rinaldi Ross, Robert Ulicny and Matthew Moore arrived, they took over CPR, inserted an advanced airway and analyzed the patient’s heart. It was determined a shock was necessary. The paramedics established an intraosseous catheter to administer normal saline fluid and medications, and monitored for changes in the heart rhythm while continuing CPR. They had to administer several more shocks and medications to restore the heart rhythm and obtain a perfusing rhythm. The crew then monitored vital signs, obtained a 12-lead EKG and continued to monitor the patient's status to ensure a perfusing heart before the patient was transported to the hospital.
Michelle Wielink, Jacob Vincent and Matthew Moore
Case 9: April 17
Paramedics: Carley Yeboah, Cat O’Dwyer, Nathan MacMillan, John Conlon
Others: Daniel Fox, Kevin Butcher, Brittany Lavin, Heather Dupuis
Staff members at a public facility noticed an unresponsive person on the floor. Daniel Fox and Kevin Butcher approached and found the patient had no pulse. They notified their fellow staff members, began chest compressions and administered naloxone. Brittany Lavin grabbed the site’s public defibrillator and began providing artificial respirations while Heather Dupuis contacted 911. Fox and Butcher continued taking turns giving chest compressions and administered one shock before paramedics arrived.
When Paramedics Carley Yeboah, Cat O’Dwyer, Nathan MacMillan and John Conlon arrived, they inserted an oral airway, continued with assisted ventilations and established an IV. The patient showed signs of life and was then transported to the hospital.
Nathan MacMillan, Heather Dupuis, Kevin Butcher, Brittany Lavin, Daniel Fox and John Conlon
Case 10: April 28
Paramedics: David Cakebread, Mitchell Laird, District Chief Adrien Bezaire
Ambulance Communications Officer: Donelle Basinski
Others: Jessica Sabolick, Jenna Smith, Bill Granger, George Turnbull, Luke Miles, Brain Prestyco
When the patient suddenly collapsed in a public space, staff member Jessica Sabolick was the first to be notified. She quickly recruited Jenna Smith to call 911, Bill Granger to get the publicly accessible defibrillator, George Turnbull and Luke Miles to initiate chest compressions and rescue breathing, and Brain Prestyco to apply and operate the defibrillator. While Smith was on the phone with Ambulance Communications Officer Donelle Basinski, the group shocked the patient once, which resulted in the return of the patient’s pulse. The patient was conscious and alert when paramedics David Cakebread, Mitchell Laird and Adrien Bezaire arrived.
The paramedics did an assessment and obtained the patient’s vital signs. Then they noticed a heart rhythm change and could not find a pulse. While they prepared to shock the heart again, the rhythm returned and the heart started perfusing on its own. The crew established an IV, checked vital signs, established12-lead EKGs, administered ASA and consulted with the cardiac cath lab before the patient was transported to the hospital.
Jessica Sabolick, Jenna Smith, Brain Prestyco, Luke Miles, George Turnbull and Bill Granger
Case 11: April 10
Survivor: David Ostrowercha
Paramedics: Jason Renaud, Matthew Titus
Others: Lori Ostrowercha, Elizabeth (Libby) French
David Ostrowercha felt unwell and had chest pain after he and his wife Lori had gone for an afternoon walk. He was reluctant to call 911, but Lori was insistent and made the call. She then called their friend Libby French, a nurse practitioner who lived nearby. French rushed over and cared for David until Paramedics Jason Renaud and Matthew Titus arrived.
“Please convey my sincere thanks to the medics involved. It was their quick actions that surely saved Dave,” she said later.
The paramedics assessed David and determined he was still experiencing mid-sternal chest pain. He was also diaphoretic and pale. After obtaining vital signs and a 12-lead EKG, they determined David was having a heart attack.
David recalled not being worried and chatting with the paramedics before suddenly waking up on the living room floor. The paramedics explained they had had to defibrillate his heart and start chest compressions to get his heart beating again. David was loaded into the ambulance and transported to Windsor Regional Hospital, where he was taken to the cardiac cath lab to have stents inserted in his heart.
He has since taken part in a cardiac wellness program and lost 40 pounds. David said he is grateful to the paramedics and Windsor Regional Hospital for his survival and recovery. He is also thankful for Lori’s persistence in making the call that helped save his life.
Jason Renaud and David Ostrowercha (holding Elizabeth French’s certificate)
Case 12: May 12
Paramedics: Renee Mitchell, Aaron Mackenzie, Anna-Maria Apostolovski
Family members noticed the patient was in distress and called 911. When Paramedics Renee Mitchell and Aaron Mackenzie arrived, the patient was unresponsive. They obtained vital signs, inserted an airway and obtained a 12-lead EKG of the heart rhythm. As they were preparing to transport, the patient’s pulse was lost. The paramedics started CPR, applied the defibrillator, inserted an advanced airway and established an IV while monitoring the patient for any changes. After several minutes of continuous CPR, they noted that the patient had regained a pulse. Advanced Care Paramedic Anna-Maria Apostolovski met the transporting crew and helped to provide patient care, ventilations and monitoring while on route to the hospital.
Case 13: June 1
Paramedics: Erin Mallen, Kim Boismier, Jamieson Gemmell, Inkaran Ramesh
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Anthony Kouzoukas, Matthew Livingston, Chris Loma, John Devlin
The patient was on the phone with a police dispatcher when they suddenly stopped responding. The dispatcher heard snoring respirations. Paramedics Erin Mallen and Kim Boismier rushed to the scene and found the patient had no pulse. They directed firefighters Anthony Kouzoukas, Matthew Livingston, Chris Loma and John Devlin to start CPR and applied the defibrillator. They shocked the patient once, inserted an advanced airway and monitored the patient for any changes. After several minutes of continuous CPR, they noted that the patient had regained a pulse. Advance Care Paramedic Jamieson Gemmell and ACP student Inkaran Ramesh then joined the team in continuing patient care. An IV was started and a 12-lead EKG was obtained. While on route to the hospital, a cardiologist was consulted for direction.
John Devlin, Anthony Kouzoukas, Chris Loma and Jamieson Gemmell
Case 14: June 8
Survivor: Dominic Viselli
Paramedics: Ray Serifi, Shelly Nguyen, Lauren Panek, Laura Gosselin
Ambulance Communications Officer: Michelle Wielink
Others: Jim Chase, Wayne DeRozario, Serge Garon, Kevin Holmes
Dominic Viselli does not recall much about what happened the day of his cardiac emergency, but he knows he is forever grateful to his hockey teammates Jim Chase, Wayne DeRozario, Serge Garon and Kevin Holmes for their actions. He was playing hockey when he collapsed. The quick actions of his teammates – who retrieved the public access defibrillator, called 911, and started chest compression and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the direction of Ambulance Communication Officer Michelle Wielink – assisted saving of his life.
Viselli was still without vital signs when Paramedics Ray Serifi, Shelly Nguyen, Lauren Panek and Laura Gosselin arrived. They continued providing CPR and shocked his heart three more times. Viselli’s heart then started beating in a regular rhythm again. The paramedics monitored his vital signs, established an IV and suctioned his airway before transporting him to the hospital.
Viselli said he is looking forward to getting on the ice with his hockey teammates, who he has played with for15 years, and getting back to being his peppy self. He recently took his family on a much-deserved vacation and has a new outlook on life. He has realized life is too short to not enjoy it, he said.
Wayne DeRozario, Michelle Wielink, Shelly Nguyen, Lauren Panek and Ray Serifi
Case 15: June 13
Paramedics: Aaron Mackenzie, Trent Resendes, District Chief Paul Stromme
Ambulance Communications Officer: Willow Strain
Family members witnessed the patient collapse and called 911. At the direction of Ambulance Communications Officer Willow Strain, they began CPR while paramedics were dispatched to the scene. Paramedics Aaron Mackenzie and Trent Resendes arrived, quickly assessed the situation and took over providing CPR. They also inserted an advanced airway and delivered two shocks to the patient’s heart. The patient’s pulse returned shortly after District Chief Paul Stromme arrived. The paramedics then obtained a 12-lead EKG, established IV access and monitored the patient’s vital signs throughout the transport to the hospital.
Trent Resendes and Aaron Mackenzie
Case 16: July 27
Survivor: Donald Sanders
Paramedics: Kody Lauzon, Mitch Postma, Andrew Peters
Donald Sanders was at home when he suddenly had severe chest pain. Paramedics Kody Lauzon and Mitch Postma were dispatched to do an assessment. They assessed Sanders, attached a cardiac monitor, recorded his vital signs and obtained a 12-lead EKG. After giving him ASA and setting up an IV, they consulted with a cardiologist by phone and confirmed that Sanders was having a myocardial infarction and would need to be transported to the cardiac cath lab at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette campus. While Sanders was being transported, his pulse was lost. The paramedics began CPR and shocked Sanders’s heart into a palpable rhythm. This happened three times during the trip to the hospital, with Sanders waking each time he was revived.
Advanced Care Paramedic Andrew Peters met the ambulance on the side of the road and assisted the other paramedics. He was able to begin externally pacing the patient’s heart and allowed Sanders to recover to the point that his heart rate was able to take over. Sanders arrived at the hospital conscious and alert.
Kody Lauzon, Donald Sanders, Andrew Peters and Mitch Postma
Case 17: August 14
Paramedics: Steven Jacobs, Mary Lou Beneteau
Ambulance Communications Officer: Jill Starnes
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Ed Grandboise, Brandon Bonazew, Shawn Fryer, Kory Ambrose, Chris Horvath
The patient collapsed at a business, where co-workers called 911 and began CPR with direction from Ambulance Communications Officer Jill Starnes. When Paramedics Steven Jacobs and Mary Lou Beneteau arrived, they immediately began resuscitation efforts. They obtained intraosseous access, inserted an advanced airway, assisted ventilations, provided epinephrine and shocked the patient five times before a pulse was noted and the patient began breathing on their own. Firefighters Ed Grandboise, Brandon Bonazew, Shawn Fryer, Kory Ambrose and Chris Horvath assisted the paramedic crew with extrication and CPR on the scene and during transport to the hospital. This was a dynamic call with a complicated airway and other challenging issues.
Shawn Fryer, Jill Starnes, Mary Lou Beneteau and Steven Jacobs
Case 18: September 7
Paramedics: Stephen Maag, Iuliana Tibrianu, Steven Jacobs, Mary Lou Beneteau
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Mike Merry, Pat Lomascalo, Chris Daly, Jim Renaud
The patient was seen collapsing in a public facility by bystanders and staff members, who called 911. Firefighters Mike Merry, Pat Lomascalo, Chris Daly and Jim Renaud began CPR and were delivering a second shock to the patient’s chest with a defibrillator as paramedics Stephen Maag and Iuliana Tibrianu arrived. The paramedics received a report from the firefighters and took over care. They inserted an advanced airway, obtained IV access and applied the automatic Lucas CPR device. They administered two more shocks to the patient’s heart before Paramedic Mary Lou Benenteau and Advanced Care Paramedic Steven Jacobs arrived to assist. Epinephrine and amiodarone were initiated and the patient was shocked five more times before a pulse was obtained. Then the patient’s vital signs were monitored, a 12-lead EKG was obtained and continuous care was provided during the transport to the hospital.
Iuliana Tibrianu, Steven Jacobs, Stephen Maag, Mike Merry, Mary Lou Beneteau, Chris Daly, Jim Renaud and Pat Lomascalo
Case 19: September 20
Paramedics: Kim Myers, Stephanie Simetic, Justin Lemay, Melissa Hopkins
Others: Dr. Dhssraj Singh, Dr. Brian Hachey, Dr. Jeffrey Anchan, Sajedah Mohammad
The patient was at a doctor’s office for a routine appointment when they collapsed. Staff initiated CPR, called 911 and applied a defibrillator. The patient’s heart was shocked once, which resulted in a return of their pulse and breathing. When Paramedics Kim Myers and Stephanie Simetic arrived, they received a report from the staff and took over caring for the patient. Advanced Care Paramedic Justin Lemay and ACP student Melissa Hopkins arrived shortly afterwards. While being prepared for transport, the patient’s pulse was lost and CPR was re-initiated. The paramedics delivered another shock, which resulted in the patient regaining consciousness and being able to speak. Amiodarone was given through an IV and a 12-lead EKG was obtained. The patient had to be shocked again during transport to the hospital but arrived conscious and alert.
Melissa Hopkins, Dr. Brian Hachey, Sajedah Mohammad and Justin Lemay
Case 20: September 26
Survivor: Jerry Lee
Paramedics: Shannon Johnston, Patrick Biczysko, Shaun Rivard, Andrew Peters
Bystanders: Jacob Vincent, A. Naomi Robertson, Chelsea Hebert
When Jerry Lee remembers the night strangers and responding paramedics restarted his heart, he thinks of his younger sister.
Joanne Wong, who lived in the Vancouver area, collapsed at work and died in October 2022. She was 60 years old. Lee, who retired from his job as an insurance agent at to the end of 2019, had always been active, playing hockey into his 50s and golfing four times a week. Yet, he hadn’t been feeling well for years, he said, and received a pacemaker after he had to be rushed to Erie Shores Healthcare in Leamington in May 2023. He knew he was vulnerable.
Still, it was a shock when he collapsed while playing pool with friends in a Windsor bar on Sept. 26, 2023. Fortunately, off-duty nurses A. Naomi Robertson and Chelsea Hebert and off-duty paramedic Jacob Vincent happened to be at the bar enjoying trivia night. They rushed to assist, performing CPR and having someone retrieve an automated external defibrillator that was available at another business in the same plaza. Meanwhile, Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics Shannon Johnston and Patrick Biczysko arrived on the scene and joined in the life-saving effort. They were followed by advanced care paramedic Andrew Peters and paramedic Shaun Rivard.
By the time Johnston, Biczysko and Peters were transporting Lee to Windsor Regional Hospital, he had been revived and was awake.
Lee doesn’t remember much. He was told his heart was shocked five times. His chest “was sore as hell” but he was alive. He was able to leave the hospital three weeks later, after an implantable cardiac defibrillator was put in his chest at the London Health Sciences Centre. He credits the Cardiac Wellness program at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare with aiding his recovery.
Lee said he is grateful to everyone involved in keeping him alive to enjoy more time with his wife of 28 years, Stacey, and their two sons, Mike, 24, and Matt, 23 – as well as his daughter, stepdaughter and three grandchildren
“I have my good days and my bad days, but I’m having days. And that’s what you have to remember,” he said.
Standing: A. Naomi Robertson, Chelsea Hebert, Shaun Rivard, Stacey Lee, Jerry Lee, Shannon Johnston and Patrick Biczysko
Kneeling: Andrew Peters and Jacob Vincent
Case 21: October 25
Survivor: Kimberly Regnier
Paramedics: Elena Ung, Inkaran Ramesh, Delaney MacDonald, Isidor Cusumano
Ambulance Communications Officer: Kristin Adams
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Joshua Easby, Andrew Matyjasek, Robert Bouffard, Derek Bull
Other: Gary Regnier
Kimberly Regnier took advantage of nice autumn weather to meet friends for breakfast, garden in the afternoon and then have dinner with her sister. The last thing she remembers is going to bed feeling well. At approximately 3 a.m., her husband Gary noticed her breathing sounded strange and tried to wake her. He couldn’t. He yelled to one of his daughters to call 911. While on the phone with Ambulance Communications Officer Kristin Adams, Gary was instructed to start CPR once it was determined that Kimberly did not have a pulse. He continued until he was relieved by firefighters Joshua Easby, Andrew Matyjasek, Robert Bouffard and Derek Bull. They used a defibrillator to shock Kimberly’s heart once before paramedics Elena Ung, Inkaran Ramesh, Delaney MacDonald and Isidor Cusumano arrived. The paramedics continued resuscitation measures until they noticed signs of life. They reassessed and determined Kimberly’s heart was beating on its own and she was breathing. They quickly established an IV, obtained a 12-lead EKG, monitored Kimberly’s vitals signs and initiated transport to the hospital.
Kimberly didn’t learn what happened until she eventually woke up in the intensive care unit at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Met campus. She spent three days in the ICU and 11 more days in hospital in Windsor before being sent to London for an internal defibrillator insertion. She said she is grateful to her husband for noticing her strange breathing, as well as for her two daughters and son. Her new motto is: “You only live once, but in my case twice!”
Robert Bouffard, Delaney MacDonald, Elena Ung, Gary Regnier, Kimberly Regnier, Isidor Cusumano and Joshua Easby
Case 22: November 26
Survivor: Kelly Ann Ireland
Paramedics: Joshua Benoot, Kristen Hamilton, Stephan Smith
Ambulance Communications Officer: Heather Ryall
Lakeshore Fire Department: Randy Joinville, Kailyn Renaud, George Kasana, Pat Robak, Matthew Soulliere
Other: Jeff Ireland
Kelly Ann Ireland was at home with her husband Jeff when she suddenly became unresponsive. Jeff called 911 and began chest compressions at the direction of Ambulance Communications Officer Heather Ryall. When Advanced Care Paramedics Joshua Benoot and Kristen Hamilton and Paramedic Stephan Smith arrived, they took over resuscitation efforts. With the assistance of Lakeshore firefighters Randy Joinville, Kailyn Renaud, George Kasana, Pat Robak and Matthew Soulliere, an automatic CPR device was used and Kelly was shocked once before regaining a pulse. Medications were delivered through an intraosseous IV site and a 12-lead EKG was performed. Kelly was then transported to the hospital for further care.
Kelly said she is grateful the paramedics and firefighters saved her life, and she is appreciative of all that they do. Jeff said he is also thankful and appreciates that they arrived so quickly, were calm and explained everything to him. Kelly is a strong person and is recovering well, he said.
Randy Joinville, George Kasana, Pat Robak, Kailyn Renaud, Jeff Ireland, Kelly Ann Ireland, Kristen Hamilton, Joshua Benoot, Heather Ryall and Matthew Soulliere
Case 23: December 6
Paramedics: Nathan MacMillan, Aaron Thomson
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services: Zachery Shepley, Jim Hewitt, Corey Donaldson, Justin Borrelli
The patient was seen collapsing in a public area. Firefighters Zachery Shepley, Jim Hewitt, Corey Donaldson and Justin Borrelli performed CPR and were able to shock the patient twice prior to the arrival of Paramedics Nathan MacMillan and Aaron Thomson. The paramedics applied an automatic CPR device and immediately transported the patient to the nearby hospital. The patient regained a pulse as they arrived at the hospital.
Zachery Shepley and Jim Hewitt
Case 24: December 9
Survivor: Alice Totaro
Paramedics: Kristen Hamilton, Jennifer Cochrane
Alice Totaro was home baking cookies when she sat down and suddenly developed chest pain. When Advanced Care Paramedic Kristen Hamilton and Paramedic Jennifer Cochrane arrived, they assessed Totaro’s symptoms and began treating her. Totaro was on a stretcher and about to be assisted into the ambulance when she became unresponsive and her pulse was lost. The paramedics began resuscitation efforts that included CPR, airway insertion and medications through an IV. Totaro’s heart was shocked twice. She then began to breathe on her own.
Shortly before arriving at Erie Shores Healthcare, a 12-lead EKG was performed and confirmed that Totaro was having a heart attack. The paramedics were able to consult with a cardiologist by phone and then transferred her from the Erie Shores emergency department to the cardiac cath lab at Windsor Regional Hospital.
Totaro said she would like the paramedics to know that she is very grateful for their care and she is recovering well.
Standing: Flora Batista (Alice’s sister), Nickolai Dam (boyfriend of Alice’s daughter), Guy Totaro (Alice’s husband), Alice Totaro, Jennifer Cochrane, Kristen Hamilton and Nik Batista (Alice’s nephew)
Kneeling: Alice’s children, Tristen and Nikole Totaro
Case 25: December 25
Paramedics: Jeffrey Kfrerer, Kristen Hamilton, Caullin Rundle, Aaron Mackenzie
Ambulance Communications Officer: Christine Morrill
The patient was in a vehicle on route to the hospital when a family member noticed they were no longer responding. The family member pulled over to the side of the road and 911 was called. Ambulance Communications Officer Christine Morrill instructed the family member how to begin CPR. Paramedics Jeffrey Kfrerere and Kristen Hamilton then arrived, took over CPR and inserted an advanced airway. They analyzed the patient’s heart rhythm and determined a shock was necessary. IV access was obtained, medications were delivered and an automatic Lucas CPR machine was applied. The patient’s heart was shocked five more times before Paramedics Caullin Rundle and Aaron Mackenzie arrived. The team was able to perform double sequential external defibrillation. The rapid sequential shocks of the two defibrillators reset the heart’s normal rhythm and the patient’s pulse returned and breathing was observed. A 12-lead EKG was performed and the patient was transported to the hospital.
Aaron Mackenzie, Jeffrey Kfrerer, Christine Morrill, Caullin Rundle and Kristen Hamilton
Case 26: February 6
Paramedics: Tricia Rousseau, Amanda Atkinson
Others: Dr. Dhssraj Singh, Dr. Roland Mikhail, Dr. Brian Hachey, Sajedah Mohammad, Amna Rashdi
The patient collapsed while in a medical facility for a routine test. The medical staff began CPR, called 911 and applied the defibrillator pads. When the staff analyzed the heart rhythm they were advised to shock the heart, which they had to do three times before paramedics arrived. Advanced Care Paramedic Tricia Rousseau and Paramedic Amanda Atkinson arrived and immediately started working with the medical team to continue the life-saving interventions. They were able to apply the automatic CPR device, gain IV access and provide epinephrine and amiodarone, all while continuing to shock the patient multiple times. The patient continued to go back and forth between having a pulse and losing it, and was shocked a total of seven times. The patient woke up each time they were revived and was able to speak to the paramedics.
Dr. Brian Hachey, Sajedah Mohammad, Amanda Atkinson and Tricia Rousseau
Case 27: May 26
Paramedics: Tyler Ceballo, Tim Taggart
Advanced Care Paramedic Tyler Ceballo and Paramedic Tim Taggart responded to a call for a patient with severe shortness of breath. They arrived to find the patient in obvious respiratory distress. They rapidly assessed the patient, initiated treatment, began transporting the patient and alerted the hospital. The paramedics treated the patient with nitroglycerin and an airway management device, but the patient continued to decline and their pulse was lost just after arriving at the hospital emergency department. The paramedics started chest compressions and shocked the patient once before transferring them to a hospital bed, where resuscitation efforts were continued by the emergency department staff.
Tyler Ceballo and Tim Taggart
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