Kings Island Medical Staff & Mason Fire Department Honored with Mercy Health Life-Saving Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Dyson
513.404.6302
 

Kings Island Medical Staff and Mason Fire Department Honored with Mercy Health Life-Saving Award

 
MASON, Ohio – July 21, 2025 – Thirteen members of the Kings Island Medical Staff and six members of the Mason Fire Department were awarded the Mercy Health Life-Saving Award for their response during a cardiac arrest emergency.
 
The following Mason Fire Department personnel received the award:

•  Lieutenant Mike Breen
• Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Burnside
• Lieutenant Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Graham
• Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Tucker
• Firefighter/Paramedic Rachel Rivera
• Firefighter EMT Zachary Whited

Award recipients from the Kings Island staff included:

•  Andrea Kathman
• Jeremy Mast
• Matt Angel
• Ashlynn Lauer
• Aubrie Chiu
• Brittany Anderson
• Brad Rapien
• Winnie Miller
• Dylan Gardner
• Lauryn Bickle
• Frank Lerner
• Missy Eagle
• Dave Books

This recognition follows their actions on June 29, 2025, when they responded to a cardiac arrest at Kings Island Amusement Park. A 54-year-old male was found pulseless and not breathing. Kings Island staff performed CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on-site. When the Mason Fire Department arrived, they were able to restore the patient's pulse. The patient was then transported to Mercy Health – Kings Mills for further treatment.
 
"The patient was discharged home on July 3, 2025, with full use of his faculties," said Nursing Manager Heather Mills. "The effectiveness of our EMS agencies is critical in providing immediate care, leading to better patient outcomes."
 
Jim McGrath, Coordinator of Emergency Services at Mercy Health – Kings Mills, presented the awards along with Heather Mills, Terri Hayne from Jewish Hospital, and Liz Mohr, Hospital Administrator at Mercy Health - Kings Mills.
 
To be eligible for the Mercy Health Life-Saving Award, patients must be found in cardiac or respiratory arrest and be resuscitated before arriving at the hospital. Discharge in a condition similar to their pre-event state is also required. Mercy Health Cincinnati Market EMS Coordinators review Patient Care Reports to confirm that the criteria are met.
 
The Mercy Health Life-Saving Award was established in early 2024 to recognize outstanding emergency response efforts.
 
"This recognition highlights the vital roles played by our responders in life-threatening situations," stated McGrath. "This team's coordinated approach demonstrates effective emergency medical response."