Local EMS heroes recognized by Peconic Bay Medical Center

Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) recently recognized two members of the East Moriches EMS team for their rapid response to a man suffering from a heart attack. 

Benjamin Doll and Kristin Tortorice, acted by pre-notifying the hospital of the patient’s condition, administering an aspirin, and providing the patient excellent comfort and reassurance while he was being transported to PBMC’s Emergency Department.  

“The EMS workers from East Moriches demonstrated kind and responsible patient care to keep this patient safe and healthy, and we are honored to present them with this distinction,” said Jason Groff, Northwell Health CEMS paramedic supervisor and PBMC EMS liaison. “Their know-how and experience in the field made it possible for the patient to be able to tell his story today. For that, PBMC and the whole community are grateful.” 

On Jan. 19, 62-year-old Edward Barrett called 9-11 after experiencing chest pains. The East Moriches EMS team responded to his home and quickly transported him to PBMC’s Emergency Department where it was determined he was having a heart attack due to a blockage of the right coronary artery. Barrett was then transported to the Cardiac Cath Lab at PBMC’s Kanas Regional Heart Center, where Dr. Stanley Katz treated Barrett with a thrombectomy and stent placement to reopen the artery.. Barrett was able to go home the next day following this procedure. 

“When someone has a heart attack, there is a clock ticking,” said Dr. Stanley Katz, chair of cardiology at Peconic Bay Medical Center. “You have a very short amount of time to get the artery reopened and reestablish blood flow to the blocked part of the heart. With the help of the EMS team at East Moriches, we were able to have this patient’s artery opened in just 91 minutes.” 

For more information about the Peconic Bay Medical Center, its world-class Kanas Regional Heart Center, and the lifesaving capabilities of its Emergency and Trauma Departments, visit www.pbmchealth.org.