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El Regional Hospital and village honor Paul Craft as 2026 Heart Survivor and promote April Heartwalk
Summary
Melissa Rodriguez of El Regional Hospital presented Paul Craft as the Greater Hudson Valley American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Survivor, recounted his cardiac emergency and recovery, and encouraged community participation in the Heartwalk on April 25 at Mount St. Mary.
Melissa Rodriguez, a hospital patient-registration manager who also chairs local American Heart Association activities, presented Paul Craft as the 2026 Heart Survivor for the Greater Hudson Valley American Heart Association and recounted his cardiac arrest, rapid bystander CPR, AED use by school officers, ICU care, and recovery.
Rodriguez described events beginning May 29, 2025: Craft collapsed at home, a bystander (John Pollson) and others administered CPR and used a portable AED; local officers and ambulance crews responded quickly, and Craft was stabilized, transferred to a higher-level hospital and treated with stents and an Impella device before a weeks-long recovery. Rodriguez noted Craft returned home in late June and has resumed community life, including participation in the Fourth of July parade.
The hospital and village presented recognition to the responders and encouraged public participation in the American Heart Association Heartwalk on April 25 at Mount St. Mary; registration was scheduled for 9 a.m. The hospital will field a team and community members were urged to join.
Why it matters: The story highlights the role of immediate bystander CPR, AED access, and coordinated emergency care in saving lives, and it underscores local hospital-community partnerships in public-health outreach.
What’s next: The Heartwalk will be held April 25; organizers urged businesses, families and volunteers to register and participate.
