Jamie To The Rescue!

When Jamie Zimenoff (Imagine! Nurse Case Manager) was growing up, his father was a volunteer fireman and would get calls on his pager that needed immediate attention. His father would hear the loud tone and instantly stand up to leave the house. As a youngster, that sense of urgency was ingrained in Jamie’s DNA.

Therefore, on July 11, during a softball game in Boulder, it is no surprise that when Jamie heard the words “first responder,” he did not hesitate and immediately jogged over to the scene.

Jamie was playing for the Imagine! employee softball team when a player from another field rushed over and asked for help. A man had collapsed on the pitcher’s mound from a heart attack.

Jamie is a licensed practical nurse with five years experience. Another nurse who was playing on a different field also got word of the situation and ran over as well. She was performing chest compressions as Jamie arrived. A third responder was also present, and the three of them took turns with compressions and breaths.

“I didn’t know this was a heart attack. I just knew he didn’t have a pulse and he wasn’t breathing,” said Jamie.

After a few sets of CPR, the gentleman still had no pulse. The automatic external defibrillator (AED) arrived and after putting on the pads, the machine advised to give a shock. Still no pulse.

Two police officers arrived after the first shock and walked up to the pitcher’s mound. They observed Jamie and his partner's teamwork and efficiency and let them continue. 

“The officer told me afterward that it was clear we knew what we were doing and he wanted us to keep doing our thing, no need to jump in and takeover,” said Jamie.

After two more sets of compressions and breaths, the AED advised a second shock and shortly after that was given, the gentleman’s legs, arms, and head started to move slightly, and he sighed. As he started to come to, the EMTs arrived and took over, relieving Jamie and his partners of their CPR duties.

As the Fire Department EMTs took over and treated the gentleman with an oxygen mask, an ambulance drove onto the field and pulled up to the pitcher’s mound. He was taken to the hospital and received open heart surgery that very night. We have learned that he is recovering and doing well.

“Honestly,” said Jamie, “I don’t think he would have made it without the AED.” Giving two shocks and almost a third, the AED jumpstarted the gentleman’s heart when he had no pulse.

It was an emotional incident. All the fields paused their games and walked over to support. Unlocking the back gate, directing emergency vehicles to the scene, standing by to give compressions if needed, and offering emotional support to family and friends of the gentleman were of the many ways people pitched in.

“It was a group effort,” said Jamie. “It’s really cool to be in a community where something arises and boom, three or four people are there ready to help.”

Jamie also admired the fact that everyone remained calm, even while their peer was unconscious and not breathing. “No one freaked out,” said Jamie, “but rather looked around for something to do and support us.”

Jamie teaches CPR/First Aid at Imagine! and it was clear that he knew what he was doing. There was a sense of confidence and stability watching Jamie and his partners execute CPR and use the AED. His voice projected as he announced to the group what was happening next or when to step back. “You never know when you’re needed to help out,” said Jamie. “I’m just glad I could and that it was a good outcome.”

Jamie and his two partners were the MVPs of the night, and everyone at the fields made sure they knew it. Receiving hugs and heartfelt sentiments, Jamie walked away feeling supported after a very emotional evening. We thank Jamie for his heroic actions, rushing to the scene and effectively using his skills when someone’s life was on the line.

Jamie and his softball community at Stazio Fields in Boulder