Trenton, Jan 2012 --
Nadine Levick, MD, MPH - has recently been named the new Chair of the WHF Be a Lifesaver, Learn CPR and AED program. Dr. Levick will be overseeing this new program and setting forth plans for expansion.
Heart disease is our #1 killer. "It is now recognized that of the 350,000 heart attack deaths each year, most are attributed to a shockable heart rhythm disturbance that, if reversed within 3 minutes, could save the person's life without suffering brain damage, allowing the individual to resume normal function and quality of life", she said.
A study at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport demonstrated with effective public education of bystanders, and ready access to AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), the combination of access to technology and education empowered consumers to use AEDs and survival rate of heart attack victims jumped from 4% to 82%.
"As an emergency department physician for 25 years, I have seen first-hand many people who have died suddenly from heart attack. CPR is key for improving outcomes, but alone its effectiveness is limited", Dr. Levick stated. "We must do more to promote greater awareness of and access to AEDs and to educate bystanders about AED use to establish a comfort level so that anyone will be able to both find and use an AED to save a life".
It was the basis of these statistics that the WHF launched its new school-based program in 2010 - Be a Lifesaver, Learn CPR and AED - and began selling AEDs in 2009.
"It is a great honor to welcome Dr. Levick to our organization", said Bonnie Arkus, WHF executive director. "She brings muchto our organization in this position, to improve access, education and social media outreach about CPR/AED use."
Dr. Levick is Director and Founder of the EMS Safety Foundation, an organization focused on innovation, collaboration and knowledge transfer, and Founder of the iRescU project - a project dedicated to CPR education and geo-locating AEDs in the community. "Educating the younger generation about the iRescU project and to help geo-locate an AED in case of an emergency using one's SMART phone is a most exciting initiative and a critical issue" said Ms. Arkus. "By working with Dr. Levick, and partnering with her Foundation, the WHF will be will be able to expand its Be a Lifesaver program to become a global one," she said.
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About Dr. Levick
Dr. Nadine Levick, an attending physician of Emergency Medicine,
was Director of Emergency Medicne at Brookdale University Hospital, Brooklyn, New York.
She is currently Director of Medical Student Education, Emergency Medicine in New York and is CEO and
Founder of Objective Safety LLC in NY, NY. Dr. Levick is also Research Director and Founder
of the EMS Safety Foundation, NY, NY, and Founder of the iRescU Project. Dr. Levick is the recipient of numerous awards, honors and distinctions
and is
a frequent presenter at national safety conferences. She serves on committees effecting Policy and Safety and is a member of the following organizations:
American College of Emergency Physicians,
American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine Section,
American Public Health Association,
Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine,
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine,
Australian Injury Prevention Network,
National Association of Emergency Medical Service Physicians,
Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners,
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine,
Society of Automotive Engineers,
American Society of Safety Engineers.
Dr. Levick was a recent presenter at the mHealth Summit 2011 held December 2011 on iRescU: Bridging Social Media and Saving Lives - Logistics and Implementation of a Two-way
Global Cloud Based Life Saving Platform in the Real World.
Dr. Levick received her MBBS (Honours) Melbourne University, Melbourne Australia, December 1983 - Australian Medical Degree (USA MD
Equivalent).
For information about The EMS Safety Foundation, go to EMS Safety Foundation
and to Objective Safety.
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