HEARTSHIELD TEAM
.jpg)
MARK LEE, MD, FACC
Medical Director
"Witnessed sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) may be treatable with timely CPR and AED use. I know this to be true in the patients that I treat and on a personal note, my own father-in-law, as he was the recipient of proper CPR when he suffered a SCA."
Mark is a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology, the study of heart rhythm disorders. He has been in practice for over eight years and is passionate about patient care and education.
AUSTIN MCANENA
President
“I’m a 2x Sudden Cardiac Arrest survivor because a bystander performed CPR and an AED was used to save my life. As a former Ohio State Division 1 soccer player, I never thought I’d be the one in 300 youth with an undetected heart condition.”
With gratitude and an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) to show for it, Austin focuses his time on spreading awareness for Sudden Cardiac Arrest so no other youth have to endure the same experience. Austin has worked in medical nutrition for over seven years with Metagenics, now focusing on global business development.
JIM ELLIS
Lead CPR/AED Instructor
"Throughout my fire career I have seen the first hand benefits of bystander CPR and the knowledge of this life-saving skill which can make all the difference."
Jim is a retired fire chief from Costa Mesa Fire Department and Emergency Manager at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA. He has dedicated his work for over 35 years to saving lives through CPR/AED training.
ELIZABETH VAN GIESON
Community Outreach Manager
“Working with patients who have experienced Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and received an AICD and hearing their stories of survival has shown me how important CPR training and heart screenings are for people of all ages.”
Elizabeth is the Device Clinic Coordinator for the Memorial Cardiology Medical Group’s Cardiac Device Clinic and works with patients that have Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (AICDs).
SHUN KATO
Board Director
"Losing someone whom I considered my brother to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) has been the most devastating event of my life. The feeling of helplessness haunts me every time I remember the sight of my best friend laying unresponsive in a hospital bed. Hearing Austin's story and educating myself on what the public can do to help save one more person from this heartache has inspired me to take action."
Shun is a recent graduate from Chapman University and hopes to attend Medical School in pursuit of becoming a Pediatric Cardiologist. He serves on the board of the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation as well as founded the Be KYnd To Your Heart Foundation where he focuses on providing free services to the community for SCA prevention.
BETH BARKER
Board Director
“Losing an athletic friend to the brain damage caused by Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), then experiencing a young, athletic nephew’s SCA…including what may have prevented these events and what enabled my nephew’s survival…have been recent reminders that you never know what educated individual may be able to save someone’s life! Heartshield Project’s initiatives are important contributions to this locally.”
Beth has worked in healthcare for more than 35 years, including Medtronic’s Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure division since 1995.
MATT MCANENA
Treasurer, Secretary
"I almost lost my little brother to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. He is alive today because a Good Samaritan stopped and performed CPR. My goal through Heartshield Project is to reduce deaths through education and lifesaving training so that nobody has to experience the loss of a loved one due to SCA."
Matt has worked in the intelligent lighting industry for over 10 years, currently a Regional Sales Director for PURO Lighting.
NATE ARAMBULA, MS
Board Director
“The impact of Austin’s story of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) compounded when I had one of my own athletes pass away on the field. As an athletic trainer it is my job to protect the people I serve, and I understand the risks as a former Division 1 soccer player for St. Mary’s College.”
The Heartshield Project enables Nate to educate and serve a wide variety of people so that one day they have the knowledge to save someone’s life. Nate is the Head Athletic Trainer at Warner University near Orlando, FL.