Centerpoint Medical Center reunites former heart attack patient, EMS and caregivers

Vosh, a Graceland University nursing professor, was giving a lecture to students when she suffered a heart attack, prompting a 9-1-1 call and receiving care in the field to stabilize her before being transported to the hospital.

Independence, MO - Centerpoint Medical Center - part of HCA Midwest Health- the region's leading healthcare provider, hosted an emotional Great Save event to recognize the life-saving expertise of EMS, first responders, and the collaborative efforts of the hospital’s trauma team and medical staff who cared for former heart attack patient Barbara Vosh. The event underscored the importance of EMS and first responders providing immediate, expert care in the field before a patient arrives at the hospital.

“Great Save events allow us to recognize the heroes who work every day to save a life before patients like Barbara even arrive at our hospital doors,” said Centerpoint Medical Center CEO John McDonald. “This powerful celebration of life and the human spirit will provided the  attendance a sense of healing and a large measure of gratitude.”

“Our trauma team and emergency room staff have the honor of working with some of the region’s best first responders who represent the most skilled professionals and compassionate hearts in healthcare,” said Centerpoint Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Darryl Nelson. “Their work helping save patient lives like Barbara’s when minutes and seconds can mean the difference between life and death is nothing short of a miracle.” 

Centerpoint Medical Center is a Certified Level II Trauma Center recognized for high-quality, award-winning cardiovascular care. 

Barbara, a nursing professor at Graceland University’s Independence campus, was in the middle of a routine day on Aug. 28, 2024, lecturing to nursing students when she experienced sweating, vomiting and severe chest pain. Leaving the classroom to address her symptoms, Barbara sat by an elevator where her co-worker found her and immediately called 9-1-1. 

EMS and paramedics arrived nine minutes after the call and attached a heart monitor machine to Barbara, which indicated she was experiencing a heart attack. Paramedics transported Barbara by ambulance to Centerpoint Medical Center, where Jayasheel Eshcol, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist, and the hospital’s trauma emergency team rushed her to the Cath Lab. An angiogram revealed an acutely blocked right coronary artery. After a procedure to stabilize her, Barbara was moved to the ICU unit, where she stayed overnight.

Barbara recalls the valuable lesson she learned that day in her classroom when she had a dramatic, time-sensitive emergency.

“I share my story with friends, family, students and even strangers,” she said. “Seeking medical attention and immediately calling 9-1-1 is critical, as it could have been a different scenario for me had I waited longer to go to the hospital.”

Upon arriving to the hospital, Barbara recognized many of her caregivers at Centerpoint Medical Center as former nursing professor students, which made the care she received even more meaningful and special. Currently, Barbara is receiving therapy in Centerpoint Medical Center’s outpatient Cardiac Rehab Center.