11/19/2025
A Remarkable Story of Survival — And the Power of Having a Community Hospital Close to Home
When Brian Sweet arrived in the Anderson Hospital Emergency Department on September 3, he was in grave condition after suffering a massive heart attack at home. His survival began with his wife’s quick CPR and the rapid response of Collinsville first responders — but it was the immediate, expert care available right here in our community that made the difference.
Because Anderson Hospital and its cardiac cath team were close by and ready, Brian received life-saving intervention within minutes of arriving. Our Emergency Department, Cardiac Cath Lab team, and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Farah worked urgently to stabilize him and place a critical Impella heart pump — a step that gave Brian the best possible chance before he was airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital for advanced care.
What followed was a 15-day fight marked by extraordinary resilience, skilled teams across multiple hospitals, and a recovery that amazed even his physicians.
Today, Brian is walking, spending time with family, and embracing life — a powerful reminder of why having a strong community hospital like Anderson matters. Without rapid access to local, high-level emergency and cardiac care, stories like Brian’s might have very different outcomes.
Read Brian’s full, incredible journey of survival on our website: https://bit.ly/48eq1E6