April 23, 2008

A Lifesaving Moment

Todd Miller

The Special Consideration Award honors those who have performed exceptional service in a lifesaving or humanitarian effort.

Miller was recognized for using lifesaving techniques. He was working as the head athletic trainer at The Ohio State University’s Steelwood Athletic Training Facility last October when Joe Heskett, a volunteer assistant coach for the Ohio State wrestling team, came to him and reported he was having chest pains and tightness and couldn’t feel his arm.

“Joe knew something was wrong, he brought it to my attention, and I enacted the emergency action plan,” Miller says. “It was after a light workout, and I realized that it was an emergency situation.”

The Columbus Fire Department arrived on the scene and performed shock defibrillation, and Heskett was transported to Ohio State’s Ross Heart Hospital and later underwent surgery. It turned out that Heskett had suffered life-threatening ventricular tachycardia—a rapid, uncontrolled heart rhythm that can lead to sudden cardiac death.

“It was completely surreal,” Miller says. “Four days before this happened, (Heskett) had finished fourth at the world (wrestling) championships. This is a guy I’ve watched run stadiums, watched run laps in the wrestling room with a 90-pound medicine ball on his back. When I look back, I’m thinking ‘this is a world-class athlete and he’s having a cardiac issue.’ ”

“I think it proves the value of people being CPR certified and able to recognize the signs of a heart attack,” Miller says. “Preparation and having a plan in place in case an emergency breaks out is a big part of the battle.”

The OATA’s Special Consideration Award is not bestowed annually—before last year, the award had not been given since 2004—and while the low-key Miller appreciates the honor, he doesn’t necessarily feel he deserves it.

“I don’t feel like I really need to have an award because I was doing my job,” he says. “I don’t think I did anything different than any other athletic trainer would.”

– Mark Beckenbach