I was thrilled to be able to attend the West Hills Hospital & Medical Center barbecue, on Thursday, April 16, to honor the first responders and medical staff whose teamwork, dedication and quick response times help to save the lives of heart attack patients every day. The barbecue, held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., celebrated those who have helped make West Hills Hospital’s average “door-to-balloon” response time one of the fastest in the nation!
Door-to-balloon refers to the length of time between when a heart attack patient reaches the emergency room door and when a “balloon” is used to unblock the problem-causing artery and stabilize the patient. West Hills Hospital’s average response time is 43.6 minutes, which placed the champion healthcare facility within the top ten percent of hospitals nationwide.
Guests at the barbecue included three of West Hills Hospital heart attack survivors and its medical staff, proudly wearing their “D2B Champion” T-shirts. Also among the attendees were West Hills Hospital’s CEO, Doug Long, and Ron Rubine, a representative from Councilmember Mitchell Englander’s office. Paramedics and fire engine staff from Los Angeles fire stations 105, 106, 72, 84 and 68 enjoyed the well-deserved celebration as well.
The lively event included a series of performances by the El Camino Real Charter High School band, plenty of cheerful socializing and, of course, delicious food.
Three cheers to West Hills Hospital’s door-to-balloon team. Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Mustang Marketing’s Jenny Guy serving up more than a smile at West Hills Hospital’s celebratory “door-to-balloon” BBQ.
West Hills Hospital’s CEO, Doug Long, giving thanks to the first responders and medical staff who have made this achievement possible.
West Hills Hospital’s medical staff, proudly wearing their door-to-balloon champion T-shirts.
Mustang Marketing’s Public Relations Manager, Jenny Guy, with Fran Jacques, West Hills Hospital’s VP of Marketing and Public Relations.