NPMC hosts AHA Sweethearts for training, tour
The American Heart Association Sweethearts recently visited National Park Medical Center to earn their adult and infant CPR certification and tour the Cardiac Catheterization Labs at the new Heart and Vascular Center of Central Arkansas. Over the course of three afternoons, the 39 Sweethearts had the opportunity to work closely with NPMC’s director of Education and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Cindy Draper, as well as with director of Cardiac Cath Labs, Jason Jones, RT(R)(CV) (ARRT), to arm themselves with education needed in the fight against America’s leading cause of death — heart disease.
The Hot Springs Sweethearts are a group of high school sophomore and junior young ladies from the Garland County area who spend four months devoted to heart-healthy lifestyles and learning about cardiovascular disease. Sponsored by National
Park Medical Center, the Sweethearts have been busy fundraising for the American Heart Association and having fun with special events.
“Each of the Sweetheart activities are unique and meaningful to the program, but the CPR certification and Cath Lab tour at NPMC is an incredibly valuable component of being a Sweetheart,” said Kathryn Russell, Sweetheart chair. “These young ladies receive hands- on experience that could potentially save a life and they learn about a life- saving procedure that will likely impact a loved one sometime in their own lives.”
During the cath lab tour, the Sweethearts are walked through what a patient experiences from the moment he or she begins exhibiting heart attack symptoms, to presenting to the emergency department, to waking up after a cardiac catheterization procedure. They also gain knowledge on what it is like to work in the cath labs. In addition, the Sweethearts receive training and certification in CPR and learn how to properly use an automatic electronic defibrillator in the event of a cardiac emergency.
This year’s Sweethearts were given a tour of the new Survival Flight-10 helicopter located on NPMC’s campus by Base Clinical Manager Andy Goldthorpe. As an extension of the new stateof-the-art Emergency Department and Heart and Vascular Center of Central Arkansas, this service gives the hospital the ability to reach patients in the surrounding rural communities much more quickly, which is especially crucial in the event of a heart attack or stroke.
The Sweethearts have been volunteering their time at NPMC and riding with LifeNet Ambulance service. They also recently held their father daughter barbecue. Their next activities will be the mother/daughter luncheon and a cardiovascular fitness day at FBC Fitness led by Amy Johnson and Michelle Bell.
Before the program is over, the Sweethearts will compose a paper about cardiovascular diseases which will be graded by interventional cardiologist Dr. Troy Norred. The Sweethearts are scored on their paper, their volunteering hours and their dedication to the Sweetheart lifestyle throughout the four-month period. On the night of the Heart Ball — set for Feb. 24, 2018, at Horner Hall — the one Sweetheart who scores the highest in the program will be named “Sweetheart of the Ball” and awarded the $2,000 Caroline Grace Russell Memorial Scholarship and a piece of custom “sweetheart” jewelry by Lauray’s The Diamond Center.
The Hot Springs Heart Ball is presented by National Park Medical Center and hosted this year by Brian and Michelle Bell. For tickets and information, visit https://ahagcar.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20172018HotSpringsHeartBall.