Article originally published Spring 2025 in The Monitor publication.
A Patient Reunion
The Beat Goes On is an event that connects survivors of major cardiac events with the first responders and the Fairfield Medical Center team members who cared for them in their time of critical need. This is the third year FMC has hosted this celebration, which highlights the gift of second chances, the joy of new milestones and the long-lasting bonds that caregivers form with patients and their families. On March 6, five cardiac arrest and critically ill heart patients – along with their biggest supporters – attended the reunion to reconnect with the people who were there for them at the worst time of their lives.
“Events like this are so special, not only for our staff and first responders, but for our patients as well,” said FMC STEMI Coordinator Des Belcher, who helps to coordinate the event. “Most times, our EMS professionals and some of our hospital staff do not know how their cardiac arrest patients do long-term or even if they survived after discharge. Providing a celebration to reunite these survivors with their healthcare heroes is very heartwarming. It reminds our healthcare workers and first responders just how important their roles are in our community and helps them ‘remember their why’.”
Much like the heroes who helped them return to health, the event gives patients the opportunity to reflect on how far they’ve come since their harrowing experiences. Some, like Kara Balsimo, who suffered cardiac arrest after having a pulmonary embolism at age 23, are continuing their education and planning for the future. Kara is working toward earning a master’s degree and aspires to become a teacher – but not before walking down the aisle as a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding this fall. Curtis Hinds, who experienced cardiac arrest due to an irregular heart rhythm at age 58, is finding more time for creativity, reigniting his love for ceramics and restoring his ’73 Volkswagen. And Paul Bishop, who underwent open heart surgery after his heart stopped beating while working outside, is using his experience and his platform as a pastor to spread messages of faith and gratitude.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating without warning, a medical emergency that affects about 356,000 Americans each year. While the condition is fatal in 90 percent of out-of-hospital occurrences, all five of the patients who attended The Beat Goes On survived, not only because of the care they received at FMC, but because someone nearby recognized the signs of cardiac arrest and called 911 or started performing CPR.
“We take time at the event to honor and award individuals who perform bystander CPR,” Belcher said. “Statistics show that early CPR and the use of an AED can up to triple the chances of survival for people suffering cardiac arrest. Without the bravery of the friends, coworkers and family members who jump into action, so many of the patients we celebrate at these events never would have made it through our doors.”
FMC and Community Heart Watch – a committee formed by local healthcare professionals, educators and civic leaders – are committed to improving cardiac arrest survival in the region by increasing training, awareness and access to resources. To learn more about CPR training and AED accessibility, visit fmchealth.org/community-heart-watch/.