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Farmington man receives first annual Uniontown Hospital Heart Story Award

03/10/2017
Krissy and Bill Shiley

Uniontown Hospital will honor William Shiley of Farmington Saturday night at the 20th annual Fayette County Heart Ball as the hospital's recipient of the 2016 Heart Story of the Year.

The new award, created as part of the annual celebration surrounding the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, will honor one “story” each year that encapsulates the mission of the hospital through a heart-related health event.

“We are committed to making a healthy difference in every life we touch. It is the foundation for all that we do,” Uniontown Hospital CEO Steve Handy said. “This award will recognize one patient or one encounter each year that captures our mission through the work of our hospital staff, our physicians, our EMS partners and will highlight a life that is saved as a result of teamwork and dedication.”

Shiley, who is the husband of Uniontown Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Director Kris Shiley, survived a life-threatening STEMI heart attack on New Year’s Eve because of the life-saving protocols developed by the AHA and implemented at Uniontown Hospital. 

Kris Shiley said that without the proximity of the hospital and the fast action of all involved – including the award-winning Uniontown Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Lab – her husband’s story could have taken a more negative turn.

“I got him there so quickly and with our hospital so close and ready and knowing what to do, that made all the difference,” Kris Shiley said.

The Cath Lab has been recognized by the AHA as a top performer in STEMI receiving for three straight years, earning gold status in 2016.

Additionally, the hospital has earned the same gold standard in stroke care from the AHA, a gold award through partnership with Fayette EMS for STEMIs, as well as a corporate award recognizing their organizational commitment.

The annual Heart Ball, will be held Saturday evening at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington.

The ball, one of two major fundraisers for the AHA held each year, is an opportunity to “celebrate the AHA work and mission, donors and volunteers and the lives saved and improved because of the efforts of the community.”

Handy said that the award is just another way the hospital can help educate the community about cardiovascular health and recognize the commitment being made locally to better heart health.

“The American Heart Association is committed to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and we are committed to being a partner in their efforts to make a healthy difference in the heart health of our community,” Handy said.  

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