Uniontown man honored as Heart Story of the Year
Uniontown Hospital officials will honor Clayton David "Dave" Show, of Uniontown, on Saturday night at the 22nd Annual Fayette County Heart Ball as the hospital's recipient of the 2018 Heart Story of the Year.
The award, created as part of the annual celebration surrounding the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, was established in 2016 to recognize one “story” each year that encapsulates the mission of the hospital through a heart-related health event.
For Dave, the award is the culmination of months of sharing his unique story following a heart attack he suffered on Sept. 11, 2018.
“The care I received was excellent, from beginning to end,” he said, noting that it was the high standard of care he received that ultimately has allowed him to be able to share his story of survival and success.
“We are committed to making a healthy difference in every life we touch and we are so thankful to have made a difference in Dave’s life,” Uniontown Hospital CEO Steve Handy said. “This story is one of many in which our physicians, our staff and our EMS partners saved a life in those critical moments. It gives us a chance to reflect on the importance of a strong community hospital to serve the emergent needs of our friends, neighbors and family.”
Dave, a retired paramedic who responded on Sept. 11, 2001 to the Flight 93 crash in Shanksville, hosts a regular radio show on WMBS Radio in Uniontown, and was on the air at the station on the anniversary of that fateful day, when he began experiencing symptoms he quickly recognized as a possible heart attack.
He said that when he alerted his guests that day – also both fellow paramedics that were sharing their memories of the Sept. 11 attacks – they snapped into action beginning his care immediately as they got him taken by ambulance from the radio station to Uniontown Hospital.
He was treated in the Emergency Department and then in the Cardiac Cath Lab. After emergency intervention, he began to show immediate improvement.
Because of the advanced capabilities of the hospital’s Cardiology Department, stories like Dave’s are weekly and sometimes daily occurrences at Uniontown Hospital.
The Cath Lab has been recognized by the AHA for exceptional care of patients suffering heart attacks.
Additionally, the hospital has earned similar honors for stroke care from the AHA, an award received as part of their strong partnership with Fayette EMS for emergency cardiac care, and a corporate award from the AHA recognizing their organizational commitment to care of all things related to the heart.
These accomplishments, coupled with a commitment to providing for the continuum of care for heart patients with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, are just a few reasons the Cardiology Department is able to make the ultimate healthy difference in the lives of area residents.
“Our team is saving lives throughout the year and this story – like so many others – is a testament to their commitment to being here for our patients,” Executive Director of Critical Care Services, Sandy Thorpe, said. “I am proud of the entire Cardiology Department and I also have peace of mind knowing such exceptional care is readily available should someone in our community need emergency care of their heart. “
The award will be presented at the annual Heart Ball Saturday evening at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington. Handy is serving as the chair of the event, for the second year in a row.
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.”
This year, the Heart Ball’s theme is “The Heartbeat of our Community.”
Handy said that the Heart Ball and the award are additional ways the hospital can help educate the community about cardiovascular health and recognize the commitment being made locally to better heart health.