American Heart Association launches Sudden Cardiac Arrest Task Force
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Nov. 5, 2025 – The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, has launched a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Task Force to strengthen community readiness and improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest across the greater Birmingham metropolitan area.
Birmingham has some of the lowest rates of bystander CPR, AED usage and survival rates in the nation, underscoring the need for targeted-community focused interventions to address this public health crisis. Using Birmingham as a demonstration zone, the Heart Association’s goal is to expand these efforts and improve response and survival rates across Alabama.
“Currently, Birmingham has a bystander CPR response rate of around 16 percent, compared to the national average of 48 percent,” said Ryan Coute, D.O., assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Task Force chairperson. “This means that if a person were to collapse in a public space, such as a restaurant or park, only about 16 out of 100 would receive CPR. Of those, only three out of 100 would survive the event, which is three times below the national average.”
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Task Force is a collaborative initiative to combat those numbers, building upon the Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers movement. Task Force members were selected for their expertise, experience and shared commitment to building a safer, more prepared community. Along with Dr. Coute, members include:
- Kim Baldwin – Vice President of Community Impact, American Heart Association
- Alex and Sharon Brewer – Community stakeholders and CPR advocates
- Cpt. Jonathan Danzer – Captain, Birmingham Fire & Rescue EMS Division
- Jude Dooley – Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of Greater Birmingham
- Carolyn Etheridge – Founder, The Pulse Finders, LLC
- Will Ferguson, M.D. – Birmingham Fire & Rescue Medical Director and Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System Medical Director
- Wendy Higginbotham, RN – Senior Claims Specialist, ProAssurance
- Jalonda Hudson, Ph.D. – Clinical researcher and post-doctoral fellow, UAB School of Public Health
- Floyd Lawson – Sudden cardiac arrest survivor
- Armon Matthews – Vice President of Community Engagement, Housing Authority of the Birmingham District
- Sara Matthews – Alabama Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) Coordinator
- Alanah Melton – Director of Special Programs, Governmental Affairs, Mayor Randall Woodfin’s Office
- Reverend Robert Sellers – Pastor and President, Jefferson County Faith-Based Alliance for Advancement of Health Equity
- Lizzi Willicott – Executive Director, American Heart Association
“We are grateful to Dr. Coute and these community leaders for stepping up to tackle this challenge,” said Willicott. “Big problems require bold solutions, and we are confident that this Task Force will help transform Birmingham from a community of bystanders into a community of lifesavers.”
For more information on Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Josh Till, APR: josh.till@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
