FAMILY THANK CREWS WHO SAVED FATHER’S LIFE DURING CARDIAC ARREST AT CHURCH
FAMILY THANK CREWS WHO SAVED FATHER’S LIFE DURING CARDIAC ARREST AT CHURCH
September 3, 2024
For Immediate RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Misti Willingham, Public Information Officer
C: 936.537.0611
FAMILY THANK CREWS WHO SAVED FATHER’S LIFE DURING CARDIAC ARREST AT CHURCH
CONROE, TEXAS – As Joseph Prihoda and his wife, Debbie, drove to church on a Wednesday last May, they had no idea how their seemingly uneventful day would turn out. During his wife’s choir practice, Mr. Prihoda went into cardiac arrest. As he lay unconscious, 911 dispatcher Rudy Garza talked the people surrounding him through CPR. Thankfully, Mr. Prihoda’s daughter, who had recently taken a CPR class, a former nurse, and a church volunteer jumped into action. The church was also outfitted with an AED, so he could not have been in a better situation under the circumstances.
“According to statistics from the American Heart Association, only 9% of patients who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are ultimately discharged from the hospital,” said Nick Smith, MCHD Division Chief of the Clinical Department. “So, the fact that you are here with us today is exceedingly rare. The fact that you had immediate bystander CPR and an AED nearby was crucial to your survival and how well you are doing today.”
As MCHD Paramedics and Conroe Firefighters took over Mr. Prihoda’s care, he started waking up and fighting back – which is a really good sign in someone who has just suffered cardiac arrest. After administering medications to keep Mr. Prihoda calm and while monitoring his vital signs, MCHD EMS transported him to the hospital.
Last Friday, under much happier circumstances, Mr. Prihoda and his wife reunited with MCHD EMS and Conroe Fire Department.
“I just want to thank all of you so much for what you did for our family,” Mrs. Prihoda said. “You came in and took over for my daughter with the AED, just when she needed you… We are all just so grateful for my husband’s life.”
MCHD would like to thank all of the first responders involved in Mr. Prihoda’s care:
MCHD Paramedics
District Chief Ryan Davenport
In-Charge Paramedic Reiley Davis
Attendant Paramedic Mary Hebert
Attendant Paramedic Chelsie Bilger
MCHD 911 Dispatch Center
ALARM Medic II Rudy Garza
Conroe Fire Department
Charles Bruner
Kaleb Dodd
Braylan Senchal
Josh Johnson
(MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
Montgomery County Hospital District’s mission is to care for the indigent and provide EMS services while protecting the interest of taxpayers and ensuring long-term stability through fund development. For more information about the Montgomery County Hospital District, please go to www.mchd-tx.org.