Contact Information:
Leslie Carto
External Communications Manager
University Health
913-744-7742
leslie.carto@uhkc.org
Shauna Olson
Director, Brand Experience
North American Savings Bank (NASB)
913-508-2389
solson@nasb.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kansas City, MO., (February 1, 2022)
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Smooth Harmony: A Lifesaving Community Partnership
University Heath (UH) and North American Savings Bank (NASB) Donate Automated External Defibrillators to Local Businesses, Not for Profits
UH and NASB are pleased to announce a partnership that will bring lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to seven Kansas City small businesses/ nonprofits dedicated to serving communities disproportionately impacted by heart disease and COVID-19. Three additional AEDs will be placed in UH mobile outreach units.
Every year, about one in seven Americans will die from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. Yet, research from the National Safety Council (NSC) has shown that increased access to AEDs could save as many as 40,000 lives each year. In fact, survival rates are as high as 45% if defibrillation is provided within five to seven minutes, according to the NSC website.
African American and Hispanic populations have been disproportionally impacted by heart disease and the health and financial consequences of the pandemic.
For this reason, University Health’s Community Health Strategies and Innovation (CHSI) team has implemented preventative, evidence-based strategies to improve the lives and health of underserved community members that go beyond the four walls of a hospital.
“University Health has been a leading provider of health care to some of Kansas City’s most vulnerable community members for years. We were impressed with UH’s success in partnering with trusted community partners to host some of the first community COVID-19 testing events in the metro, and we are excited to support this life-saving program,” said Vice President CRA/Fair Lending Compliance Officer Sarah Baharin.
As a member of the Kansas City community for over 95 years, NASB has worked with many community organizations like UH that build strong, sustainable relationships at the neighborhood level to grow trust, collaboration, and communication to identify and address roadblocks to better health.
“The CHSI team has worked tirelessly to build trust within minority and immigrant communities by listening to what those communities need, rather than telling the communities what they think the communities need,” explained Chief Community Relations Officer Niki Lee Donawa. “We appreciate NASB for joining us to ensure many more Kansas Citians have access to these life-saving devices.”
In honor of American Heart Month, please join us on February 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. as we celebrate the first AED installation at the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E 18th St. KCMO 64108.
University Health (UH) has all the things you’d expect from a great health system. With two acute academic hospital locations, beautiful new outpatient care facilities, the largest, most comprehensive behavioral health program in the area, a long-term care facility, and multiple primary care practices, UH provide the complete continuum of care. UH is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Missouri- Kansas City Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, making our provider’s academic specialists devoted to remaining at the top of their field. University Health is Kansas City’s only safety-net medical center, providing quiet care for all.
North American Savings Bank (NASB) is a local bank and national mortgage lender headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 1927, NASB has served the financial needs of customers by providing a wide range of personal banking products along with competitive residential and commercial mortgages. For more information, visit nasb.com. NASB is an Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. NMLS ID# 400039.
