OhioHealth Providers Honored for Life-Saving Actions on the Sidelines
As a basketball game official, Andre Johnson is used to running up and down the length of the court until the buzzer sounds. It’s a passion of his – he loves the sport and benefits from the physical activity that comes with being a referee.
“This year marks my 26th year officiating basketball games,” said Johnson. “It’s a great way to stay active. I always felt like I was in pretty good shape. I never thought something could be wrong with my health.”
For every game it’s Johnson’s job to closely watch the plays and make the calls – as time runs on the clock.
During a Marion Pleasant High School game – just before Thanksgiving -- two minutes remained on the clock in the second quarter. It was almost half time, but Johnson’s time was nearly cut short.
Johnson had collapsed on the court – and went into cardiac arrest. Immediately, a group from the stands and sidelines jumped in to help. It was a tense moment because every second mattered. A moment when fans quickly shifted their focus from competition -- to collaboration.
Two members of the large group that jumped in to help were OhioHealth providers -- Heather Columber, DO, a local family medicine physician, and Joe Thompson, an athletic trainer for Marion Pleasant High School.
“[Johnson] fell backwards and then I heard everyone gasp,” Thompson said. “As I ran over a ton of people jumped in instinctively, ready to help. Everyone knew what to do.”
Together, the group worked to administer CPR and use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Thompson described the moment Johnson was brought back as, “unreal” because “it all happened so fast.”
“This highlights the importance of knowing CPR – and having access to AEDs,” said Dr. Columber. “The teamwork was seamless for all involved. We were helping alongside two paramedics, the school’s nurse, and a lifeguard. While we all have different health care backgrounds and training, it was simply our knowledge of CPR, the access to an AED, and our ability to work as a team that saved a life.”
The timing of Dr. Columber’s message is significant. February is Heart Month – a time of year when there’s a big push from the American Heart Association to empower people to learn how to protect their own heart health as well as the hearts of others with the potentially lifesaving skill of CPR.
“The biggest thing is preparation,” Thompson added. “Always having a conversation before the year starts – communicating early about where the AED is located and having updated emergency action plans. AEDs are accessible on campus – we just acquired an additional AED outside the facility accessible to the public as well. We are prioritizing the safety of athletes and people who use our facilities – like the track.”
On Saturday February 1st, Dr. Columber, Thompson, and everyone else who came together that day to help save Johnson’s life were honored with special recognition at the Marion Pleasant basketball game.
Together, the Central Ohio American Heart Association and the Pleasant Local School District presented everyone with the Heart Saver Hero Award as well as the Heart of a Spartan Award. The names of all award recipients are listed below:
Stacy Hamper
Matt Collins
Steve Ringer
Mike Lindsey
Micah Werling
Hunter Yancey
Joe Thompson
Heather Scowden
Rob Reed
Rochelle Adams
Scott Yancey
Dawn Malcom
Doug and Kory Ute
Members of the Pleasant Fire Department: Captain Aaron Marburger, Zach Moreland, Mackenzie Langdon, and Devin Miller
“We want to express our deep gratitude for Joe Thompson, OhioHealth Sports Medicine, Dr. Columber, and everyone who jumped in that day,” said Pleasant Local Schools superintendent, Tom McDonnell. “Together, they saved a life on the sidelines. It is also important to recognize that this life-saving care was made possible by the generous donations from the Craig Reynolds Memorial, which helped fund the AED used that evening.”
“It was phenomenal – I can’t thank them enough. Everyone reacted the way they were supposed to. By God’s grace of mercy, I’m still here,” Johnson said. “The AED is the most important tool we have – it saved my life.”
