It’s not often the chief executive officer of a hospital presides over a Great Save event that spotlights the heroic efforts to save his own son’s life. But that’s exactly what will happen on Wednesday in Belton as Belton Regional Medical Center CEO Todd Krass will honor the First Responders and medical teams for the courageous and collaborative actions that saved his son, Tyler’s life.

“Never did I imagine one of our Great Saves would be so personal and involve my own child, but I am filled with gratitude that I can publicly recognize the efforts made by the First Responders, physicians and nurses who helped save Tyler’s life,” Krass says. “Each day these professionals strive to deliver high-quality, compassionate healthcare to patients in life-threatening situations. It’s a privilege to work with these skilled professionals — the work they do is nothing short of extraordinary.” 

Belton Regional Medical Center will also celebrate their most recent Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award by recognizing their emergency room nurses and physicians for demonstrating exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. This is the second consecutive year Belton Regional Medical Center has received the prestigious award and is one of 19 hospitals in the nation bestowed with the honor.

“Belton Regional Medical Center is humbled and honored to receive this coveted award, a testament to our dedicated emergency department staff’s focus on delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients and their families,” Krass says. “As the community’s trusted healthcare provider, we live this mission every day, with every patient— ‘above all else, we’re committed to the care and improvement of human life.’”

Belton Regional Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare and heart care provider. For more information, visit Belton Regional Medical Center.

Tyler's Story

Tyler became ill while on a trout-fishing expedition on Arkansas’s White River with his father, Todd, in late April 2018. What started as a cough/cold, Tyler’s condition progressively worsened throughout the weekend of April 19, and ended up with Tyler having open heart surgery on May 8, 2018.

On April 22, on the way home from their fishing trip, Todd decided Tyler needed emergency care and took him to Belton Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room. Physicians and nurses stabilized Tyler, who was then transferred by South Metro Fire Department to Research Medical Center’s ICU, where he was diagnosed with posterior mitral valve flap prolapse and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)— several ligaments that keep the valve flap in its proper place ruptured, causing blood to flow backwards into Tyler’s lungs with every heartbeat.

Following five days in the Research Medical Center ICU, Tyler was stabilized and strengthened. Physicians discharged the 24-year-old on May 4 so he could attend his grandfather’s memorial service; 83-year-old Daniel J. Krass died on the same day Tyler sought help at the emergency room. 

Four days later, on May 8, Tyler returned to Research Medical Center where he underwent successful valve repair performed by Board-certified thoracic and cardiac surgeon Frederic Seligson, M.D.

Today Tyler has made a full recovery and is living his life to the fullest — including fishing trips with his father.