We (Play For Patrick Foundation) held our 29th heart screen at Westonka Activities Center, hosted by Mound-Westonka High School, the Nash Family and the Be Like Tommy Foundation. The screening was dedicated to Tommy Nash, a 14-year-old Mound-Westonka student who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest in 2021 while sledding with his family.
We screened 182 kids/young adults, and found-135 Normal, 29 Normal with a minor variant, 10 Elevated Blood pressure-after 2nd check, and 8 Abnormal.
The abnormal findings were Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), Long QT syndrome (LQTS), Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW). We recommend kids with abnormal findings and/or elevated blood pressure, to follow up with their primary physician and/or a cardiologist.
It is important to recognize and thank all who helped us screen 182 kids/young adults.
- Kevin & Nicole Nash and the entire Nash Family for their support, hospitality, and for their service to the Mound-Westonka community.
- Jeff, Peterson, Kevin Borg, Gary Ponske, Mound Westonka HS, and Westonka activities center for having us. The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation is honored to donate an AED to the Westonka Activities Center/Mound-Westonka HS in memory of Tommy Nash.
- Mayo Clinic’s AI/HCM research team, Jennifer Dougan, Karen Miller, and Mayo physicians; Kathryn Larson, Omar Latif, Will Swain, Edward El-Am, Jose De Melo, Victor Rodriguez, Ojasev Sehrawat, for making the drive from Rochester to help us screen young hearts and conduct their research. We are confident they will save many lives from SCA.
- St. Bonifacius Fire Fighter Ken Finley for teaching CPR and sharing his perspective on the importance of learning hands-only CPR. Ken was one of the 1st responders to Tommy’s call. Thanks to Ken and all 1st responders for the work they do and the courage they possess to help others.
- Betsy Wilson and her band of volunteer physicians; Robert Wilson, Dave Homans, Scott Sakaguchi, Leslie Albrecht, Kevin, Sipprell, Bart Laihinen, and Lori Schumacher. We appreciate you for sharing your time, knowledge & experience to explain the results to the kids and parents.
- Jason Anderson of Philips for loaning us two Philips 3D Ultrasound units. Jason and the Philips company have loaned us Ultrasound units for almost every screen. It is so nice to have the latest technology available.
- Our Nurses, EKG technicians, and Sonographers for making the kids feel comfortable, explaining the procedures, and collecting the data.
- Our Non-Medical volunteers helped us; set up, take down, check in/out, do data entry, direct kids, feed volunteers, and fill in wherever needed.
- Last and certainly not least, Betsy and Dr. Bob Wilson for their continued support, guidance, and friendship.
For more information on Tommy Nash and the BeLikeTommyPorject, visit www.beliketommy.org. Be sure to sign up for the upcoming 2nd Annual Tommy’s Olympic Speedwalk June 11, 2023. #BELIKETOMMY
Upcoming 2023 heart screens are September 9, Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School, October 7, Mounds View High School. 2024 screens; Play For Patrick Tournament-TBD, Eastridge HS-TBD, Northfield HS-TBD.
For more information on the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation/Play For Patrick, please visit www.playforpatrick.org, or email
#Playwithheart #PlayforPatrick
*Information has been taken from the Play For Patrick Newsletter