17/06/2025
Dr. Dema Fawaz, emergency medicine, Troy hospital, was in the right place at the right time when Emily Morgan, 27, suffered sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed at a fitness class.
No stranger to springing into action to help others, Dr. Fawaz quickly began CPR while first responders were en route.
“It was surreal,” Dr. Fawaz said. “I kept thinking ‘I want my resources, my machines, my medications’ but then my instincts just kicked in."
About a month after the incident, Dr. Fawaz and Emily reunited to advocate for the importance of CPR training and bystander action. They were joined by Jennifer Shea, manager or Corewell Health Children’s Student Heart Check program, who demonstrated chest compressions.
Dr. Fawaz stresses that you don’t have to be a highly trained emergency medicine physician to offer lifesaving support - CPR training is not difficult to learn and is available to people of all ages.
“This is one of the most important skills that every single person should learn. You never know when you’re going to be in a mall, an airport or a public place where they’re going to need you," Dr. Fawaz said.