The Prairie Heart Foundation at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital has received a $5,000 donation from the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation (AGBHF) for the purchase of the latest devices and technology to screen adults for atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), the most common cardiac arrhythmia that leads to a five times greater risk of stroke. Present at the check presentation were (left to right): Leon Gobczynski, Becky Gobczynski; Greg Uebinger, Board member of the AGBHF; Stephanie Gobczynski Uebinger, Chairperson of the AGBHF; Nikki Trupiano and Leslie Probst, Board members of the AGBHF; Theresa Rutherford, President and CEO of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital; Paul Scherschel, Senior Gift Officer of the Prairie Heart Foundation; Kristin Doster, Executive Vice President or Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois; and Kelly Sager, Chief Nursing Officer of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.
Effingham, Ill. – The Prairie Heart Foundation at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital has received a generous donation from the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation (AGBHF) for the purchase of the latest devices and technology to screen adults for atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), the most common cardiac arrhythmia that leads to a five times greater risk of stroke.
The $5,000 donation will be used to purchase 5 Kardia Mobile devices and 5 iPads for A-Fib screening.
Kardia Mobile is an FDA-cleared personal EKG device that is smaller than a credit card and allows users to take a medical grade single-lead EKG in 30 seconds.
The exclusive Kardia Pro software platform automatically receives a patient’s Kardia Mobile EKG readings, along with home blood pressure readings, activity levels, and weight changes taken with other devices and is compatible with Android and Apple smartphones.
For the first time, artificial intelligence creates a personal heart profile for each user by training the app to recognize whether the primary user or a guest is taking the EKG recording.
In the future, this heart profile may be used to notify doctors of changes to a patient’s heart rhythm in real time, making it easier than ever for doctors to detect changes early and practice preventative medicine.
“This technology can help us with stroke prevention through earlier detection of atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Subhashish Agarwal, cardiologist at the Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.
“Prairie’s use of Kardia Pro helps us to take a forward-looking approach to patient care.”
Stephanie Gobczynski Uebinger, Chairperson of the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, shared why the AGBHF wanted to make this donation to the Prairie Heart Foundation at St. Anthony’s.
“The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation is pleased to expand our partnership with HSHS and the Prairie Heart Institute.
Our hope is that this technology will help identify area residents who might have previously undiagnosed heart conditions.
Kelly Sager, Chief Nursing Officer at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, expressed the hospital’s appreciation for the donation.
“Having the use of this technology for screening purposes will greatly help with early detection of a cardiac condition that can be treated and possibly prevent future strokes,” she said.
“We are grateful to the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation for their partnership in improving the health of our area residents.”
For questions or more information about the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, contact Stephanie Gobczynski Uebinger at (217) 240-0877 or stephuebinger@gmail.com.
She serves on the board of the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, which has also partnered with St. Anthony’s to serve our community and help prevent premature deaths of seemingly healthy young athletes through their Athletic Heart Screening Program.
The AGBHF was formed in memory of Andrew Gobczynski, a former Teutopolis and EIU basketball standout, who died at just 33 because of cardiomyopathy, a condition no one knew about.
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit the hospital’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org.
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.
Press Release courtesy of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital