ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (April 3, 2023) – On the afternoon of March 13, Stan Stankovich was enjoying a game of pickleball with friends at Walter Fuller Park when he suddenly collapsed to the ground. Friends and bystanders immediately called 911 and ran to the nearby pool to alert the lifeguards on duty. Without hesitation, the lifeguards grabbed their AED and responded to the pickleball court. They sprang into action performing CPR and delivering two shocks from the AED, after which Mr. Stankovich’s heart began beating again and he regained consciousness. St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and Sunstar arrived to continue treatment and transported the patient to HCA Florida Northside Hospital for cardiac care. Although he required continuous monitoring and intensive care from the staff at HCA Florida Northside Hospital, Mr. Stankovich was able to walk out of the hospital feeling well and rejuvenated just a few days later. On Friday, March 31 all of the heroes involved where able to reunite with Mr. Stankovich and his family at the pickle ball courts. In addition to HCA Florida Northside Hospital caregivers others in attendance were Walter Fuller Pool Lifeguards, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue crews and Sunstar crews. Reliving the tragic event that resulted in a great outcome was a way for all responders and healthcare workers to visualize the benefits of the hard work they perform daily and the team work it takes.
About HCA Florida Northside Hospital
Serving the community since 1976, HCA Florida Northside Hospital is a 288-bed hospital, offering a full range of services including comprehensive and interventional stroke care, preventative and corrective cardiac care, full-service orthopedic and spine treatment an ER 24/7®, and general surgery. As one of the first hospitals in the area to achieve Atrial Fibrillation Certification (SCPC), our technologically advanced hospital allows our highly skilled physicians, nursing, and caregivers to serve our growing community. HCA Florida Northside Hospital is the first nationally recognized Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pinellas County and nationally recognized for quality and safety by earning an ‘A’ Patient Safety grade from the Leapfrog Group Spring 2020 and 2021. Our employees voted us a Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace in 2020. With campus-based specialized services including the Tampa Bay Heart Institute and the Neuroscience Institute for Interventional Neuroradiology and neurologic care, HCA Florida Northside Hospital continues to enhance and expand its services to better serve the community.