Dr. Eli Friedman, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Latoya Williams, Miami Dade County Public Schools Athletics, Jack Scala, Avive, Katerina Miras, Avive, Ed Garabedian, Chief Operating Officer Baptist Health Orthopedic Care
February 27, 2025 – Baptist Health recently hosted Heart of the Game: CPR & AED Training for student-athletes in Miami-Dade County. The event was at the Baptist Health Training Facility, home of the Miami Dolphins, and is one of the largest CPR training events in the country. This community event was led by the director of sports cardiology for Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Eli Friedman, M.D., who taught students CPR and how to use AEDs (automated external defibrillators). While rare, according to the National Institutes of Health, sudden cardiac death is the most common medical cause of death in athletes, accounting for 13% of fatalities. More than 80% of athletes who suffer a cardiac event survive when someone can provide CPR or if there is an AED that can be used to resuscitate someone.
CPR Volunteers for Baptist Health South Florida
“Every second counts when an athlete suffers a cardiac event. Teaching CPR and ensuring an AED is nearby can mean the difference between life and death,” said Dr. Friedman. “Immediate, effective intervention can restore a heartbeat, prevent severe complications, and give someone the best chance at survival.”
The Heart of the Game event hosted over 600 student-athletes giving them first-hand experience to learn how to provide CPR to someone in need as well as how to use an AED. AED developer, Avive, donated two AEDs following the event, one to Baptist Health and the other to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This fun-filled day taught the importance of teamwork, safety, and community impact. A generous contribution from Baptist Health Foundation made this event possible.
About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and the Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
