The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members, Jil Cruz, MSN, RN, and Lee Nathans, MS.
Jil Cruz, MSN, RN, Principal, Clinical Marketing at Stryker Emergency Care, has over 30 years of experience in emergency medicine, both in the hospital and prehospital space, and has spent the last 15 years dedicated to saving lives working in the medical device industry specializing in resuscitation. She inspires new innovative clinical programs and services that support the global Emergency Care business.
Jil also consults and partners with many hospitals and pre-hospital agencies throughout the United States by assisting with the analysis of CPR data to develop custom CPR performance improvement goals. Analyzing the post-event data and providing feedback to teams can positively impact survival from cardiac arrest.
The motivation to improve cardiac arrest care is not only a professional passion but a personal one. When Jil was attending a critical care conference in Germany, her husband, Joy, suffered a cardiac arrest while playing soccer. Thanks to the quick action of an ED physician and EMT on the opposite team, CPR was initiated immediately, an AED was obtained, shocks were delivered, and he successfully recovered and is back to playing and coaching soccer. Jil is deeply invested in the collective goals of education, awareness, and preparation to support cardiac arrest recognition and action. She also values the importance of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation to bring more cardiac arrest survivors home to their families and communities.
Lee S. Nathans, MS, RHU, Founder, Heart Safe Bexley, is a Registered Health Underwriter and professional insurance broker in Columbus, Ohio.
He resides in Bexley, Ohio, where he serves as President of the Bexley Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Lee is the founder of Heart Safe Bexley, a community action project to raise awareness of the benefits of CPR and AED training. Lee was inspired to lead this project after suffering a cardiac incident.
Lee was the first Director of Emergency Medical Services for the City of Cleveland, Ohio. He also served as President of both the Columbus and Ohio Associations of Health Underwriters where he received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Lee was Bexley’s 2018 Citizen of the Year, an honor received for active community leadership in chairing the committee to develop and build the Bexley Police Facility. Lee also chaired a campaign to ensure the fiscal stability of the City of Bexley.
“The addition of Jil and Lee will greatly expand the areas of expertise and interests of the Board,” said Board Chair Henry Jampel, MD, MHS. “I know that they will help us to achieve the objectives of the SCAF with their special talents and enthusiasm.”