Inspiring ReSS story

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I wanted to share a moving story from this year’s Resuscitation Science Symposium.  Dr. Kelly Sawyer, the winner of the Best Abstract Award, which was presented at Saturday’s meeting, actually survived a cardiac event herself. She received therapeutic hypothermia, a treatment recommended in the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC, and went on to complete her research on this very topic. The attached article (top of page) appeared in Saturday’s issue of the Scientific Sessions Daily News.

 This is an inspiring example of how the AHA’s resuscitation research and science have made a lifesaving impact.

ReSS Research Highlights

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Below are some of the highlights of the research that was presented at the 9th annual Resuscitation Science Symposium. As I mentioned in my email last week, this research contributes to the overall ECC knowledge discovery, translation and transfer process, as it helps to inform potential changes to ECC science and education for the 2015 Guidelines, as well as Scientific Statements that may be released between Guidelines years. While highly scientific, the presentation “conclusions” will give you a good summary and a glimpse of possible outcomes and recommendations.

 I hope you find this information of interest and please let me know if you have any questions.

ReSS Highlights:

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9th Annual Resuscitation Science Symposium

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This weekend, we will be hosting  the 9th annual Resuscitation Science Symposium (ReSS) in Orlando, and I wanted to provide you all with some background on this increasingly successful meeting.

 ReSS was founded by ECC Volunteers Lance Becker and Graham Nichol in 2003, as a pre-symposium to AHA’s Scientific Sessions. It serves as an international forum for innovation and collaboration between cardiac and trauma resuscitation scientists, and contributes to the ECC knowledge discovery, translation and transfer process through informing potential ECC Guidelines and education changes.

Over the last nine years, ReSS has grown significantly – from 250 attendees in 2003 to more than 1300 in 2010. It is now recognized as the premier annual resuscitation science conference in the world. Several AHA Scientific Statements have been published (or are in-progress) based upon ReSS presentations and discussions. Also, in 2008, Drs. Becker and Nichol were honored as recipients of the 2008 AHA Meritorious Achievement Award for their significant contributions to the development and growth of ReSS.

I will provide you with an update on some of the ReSS highlights when I return on Monday. If you have any questions about this symposium, please contact me or visit the ReSS web page for a look at the conference program.

AHA/Laerdal Alliance Update

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The AHA and Laerdal have been working together for almost 40 years in support of ECC science and education. During the past 15 years, we’ve collaborated on a number of mutual projects, such as the development of CPR Anytime and the HeartCode line of eSimulation products. To build on this collaboration, in July 2005, we entered into a Strategic Alliance.

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Brittany Lobs: Teen Lifesaver!

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Check out this survival story from 14-year-old Brittany Lobs. It is a powerful example of why CPR training as a graduation requirement is such a critical priority for the AHA. -John

As a sophomore in high school, I was nominated to Wichita’s American Heart Association’s Sweetheart program in 2002. At the time, I believed this experience would be an exciting adventure into the world of being a “big girl”. However. at fourteen years old, I could not grasp how this program would truly make me into the woman I am today.

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