OhioHealth’s Post

Andre Johnson has been a basketball game official for 26 years. He loves the sport and it's been great way for him to stay active. He never knew something could be wrong with his heart health – until he collapsed on the Marion Pleasant High School court from cardiac arrest late last year. Two OhioHealth providers – Heather Columber, DO, and Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Joe Thompson – were among those who jumped in from the sidelines to save his life. “Johnson fell backwards and then I heard everyone gasp,” Thompson said. “As I ran over a ton of people jumped in instinctively, ready to help. Everyone knew what to do.” Together, the group worked to administer CPR and use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Thompson described the moment Johnson was brought back as, “unreal” because “it all happened so fast.” “This highlights the importance of knowing CPR – and having access to AEDs,” said Dr. Columber. And the timing of Dr. Columber’s message is significant. February is Heart Month – a time of year when the American Heart Association empowers us to learn how to protect our heart health as well as the hearts of others with CPR. “I can’t thank them enough. Everyone reacted the way they were supposed to. By God’s grace of mercy, I’m still here,” Johnson said. “The AED is the most important tool we have – it saved my life.” On February 1, Dr. Columber, Thompson, and all those who helped were honored for their heroic actions during a special ceremony back on the court. The Central Ohio American Heart Association and the Pleasant Local School District presented everyone with the Heart Saver Hero Award, as well as the Heart of a Spartan Award. ohlth.co/3WXWSbk I #HeartMonth