Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 09-16-2025; 4-a - Recognition of the Heroic Actions of A.L. Stanback Middle School Staff During a Cardiac Arrest Response 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 16, 2025 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Recognition of the Heroic Actions of A.L. Stanback Middle School Staff During a Cardiac Arrest Response DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: A.L. Stanback Staff Participants Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services Director, 919-245-6100 Kim Woodward, Emergency Medical Services Division Chief, 919-245- 6100 PURPOSE: To recognize the heroic actions of staff at A.L. Stanback Middle School during a cardiac arrest response. BACKGROUND: The following information is shared after the Emergency Services Department obtained permission via a fully executed Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) release signed by the patient's guardian. On June 5, 2025, 14-year-old David Gonzalez Rubio, an A.L. Stanback Middle School student, was playing in the school gymnasium and suddenly collapsed. A teacher saw David on the floor of the gymnasium, quickly recognized David was not responding, and called for help. In under one minute, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered. The school nurse, school resource officer, the assistant principal and several other individuals rushed to the David's aid. An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) was quickly accessed and applied, and the coordinated team was able to administer the defibrillation. David began to show signs of life after the school nurse began compressions post defibrillation. Fire and emergency medical services personnel arrived only four minutes after the 911 call was received, and David had already regained full neurologic function. This amazing response demonstrates how a young life was saved because all the links in the chain of survival were present. The preparedness and actions of A.L. Stanback staff deserve the highest recognition and praise. These individuals' actions saved the life of this young student. Orange County is fortunate to have a school nurse in all schools and AEDs in schools and many public buildings. School nurses play a vital role in supporting student safety and health in Orange County. These nurses provide staff training in emergency response, CPR, First Aid, and AED use. In addition, the nurses develop health plans and emergency action plans, share this critical 2 information, and educate and train staff on both known and potential health conditions affecting students. The quick actions of early hands on the chest (CPR) and the administration of the AED were instrumental in restoring a heartbeat and saving David's life. County staff are able to report that David has made a full recovery and has endured important surgeries to prolong and improve his life. The actions of the school staff have provided his family with the most precious gift. The actions of these school first responders have helped Orange County achieve one of the highest resuscitation rates in the State of North Carolina, as well as among the highest in the "RAndomized Cluster Evaluation of Cardiac ARrest Systems (RACE CARS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Trial" intervention group. The chance of survival drops up to 10% for every one minute after the heart stops and CPR is not provided. The quick actions of the school staff provided David the best possible chance. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to the County associated with this item. It is not possible to quantify the financial impact of the school staff response other than to say it is priceless. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and emergency services in order to meet the community's evolving needs. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board recognize and commend the heroic actions of staff at A.L. Stanback Middle School during this cardiac arrest response. 3 The AI Stanbacl<team that provided lifesaving/ response support assistance is as follows: Definitions: FAR= AI Stanback First Aid Responder who has been trained by School Nurse SRO = School Resource Officer AED = Automatic External Defibrillator John Capps (PE Teacher/FAR) found the student and activated clearing of gym, calling for nurse, and asked to call 911 Wyn Payton (Admin) - Ran to retrieve the AED and brought back to nurse and SRO Chelsea Rhodenhiser (School Nurse) - Responded to call, assessed student, did CPR on student, kept child stable until EMS arrived, communicated child medical history to EMS. Chelsea also provided followup communication with the emergency department physician. Jurmarr Tolbert (SRO)- First Responder - Responded to call, opened and applied AED pads while the nurse was performing CPR and assisted with keeping the scene clear and communicated with police and rescue on his radio. Stacy Noren (PE Teacher)- Assisted with clearing out the gym Bethany Turner (6th Science Teacher/FAR)- assisted with keeping scene clear and students calm Joseph Sharps (8th SS teacher/FAR)- responded to the incident and kept the scene clear, assisted as needed. Sherry McKinny (Counselor)- assisted with getting the AED Pamela Ayala (Teacher)- translated call to student's parents Elizabeth Webb (Nurse at New Hope Elementary)- responded to A.L. Stanback to assist once she heard a 911 call over her SRO radio- assisted school nurse. Hose Hidalgo (7th science teacher/FAR)- responded to emergency and went to hospital with student and family, was present about every day at the hospital with students and family giving all updates. Heather Witherspoon (Admin) - assisted with keeping students calm and assisted as needed.