Program
Rtn. Jim Merchant introduced Linda Kerber, PhD, and Dr. Dianne Atkins to talk about the Richard E. Kerber, M.D. Heartsafe Campus CPR Initiative.
Linda shared her late husband’s history with CPR. Dr. Dick Kerber was an early researcher of CPR and wanted to improve the management of CPR around the world. He was the chair and a member of the American Heart Association’s committee on CRP and also sat on an international committee on CPR. Dr. Kerber was passionate about ensuring the public had knowledge of CPR and taught it to the University of Iowa’s entire history department. Linda said after his sudden death, many asked how they could help. She told them to become trained and knowledgeable about CPR and AEDs.
By the end of next year, the University of Iowa will become the first Heartsafe Campus in Iowa. Linda said a proper memorial to Dick would be to make Iowa City a Heartsafe Community.
Dick called Dianne Atkins in the mid-1980s and asked what she knew about defibrillation. She said she knew nothing and that began their long professional relationship. Dr. Atkins shared the signs of cardiac arrest and the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. She explained that within 5 minutes of cardiac arrest, there is a 50 percent mortality rate.
Each year 350,000 adults and 12,000 children die from cardiac arrest. Bystander defibrillation triples the chances of survival. Kerber and Atkins encouraged members of the club to become trained and knowledgeable of CPR and AEDs to help honor Dr. Richard Kerber’s memory and help save lives.
A demonstration by local EMS followed the program.
The meeting ended at 1:05 pm as President Steve led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful and Smile by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. Jim Conard on piano.
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Jon Brown or Janice Baldes to include in the weekly slide decks emailed to members prior to each meeting and shown just before Rotary meetings at the Club. You can send information to: Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com or Jon Brown at mjonBrown@taxesplusiowacity.com
It is our policy to have all members silence their cell phones before the meeting and refrain from answering their cell phones during the meeting out of respect to the speaker and fellow members.
One of our greeters, Rtn. Ron Ettinger, announced the following visiting Rotarians: Jill Olsen, Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club
Guests of Rotarians: Brandon Smith, Michael Aguilar, Zach Hickman, Dianne Atkins, Linda Kerber, Orey Schwitzer, Fiona Johnson (Rtn. Jim Merchant), Lisa Margolin (Rtn. Brianna Wills), David Spanier (Rtn. Verne Folkman), Sonia Ettinger (Rtn. Ron Ettinger), Mary Rettig (Rtn. John Culshaw), Lise Rasmussen (Rtn. Jill Olsen).
Program: Rtn. Tom Cilek; Attendance: Rtn. Nancy Droll
