On Monday, December 16, members of The Friends of Reading Hospital and Reading Hospital HeartSAFE committee received a $2,000 donation from Tompkins Financial. The donation will be used to place an AED in the Berks County community.
Francis Post, Vice President and Managing Director for Tompkins Financial Advisors presented the check to William M. Jennings, Reading Hospital President and CEO, Carol Kerstetter, The Friends of Reading Hospital Board Member and HeartSAFE Berks County Committee Member, Lil Murphy, The Friends of Reading Hospital Board Member and HeartSAFE Berks County Committee Member, Michael Koslow, MD, Cardiology - Tower Health Medical Group and HeartSAFE Berks County Committee Member, and Mary Ellen Batman, The Friends of Reading Hospital Board Member and HeartSAFE Berks County Committee Member.
HeartSAFE Berks County is an initiative launched by Reading Hospital and The Friends of Reading Hospital to increase an individual's chance of survival from sudden cardiac death. Since HeartSAFE's inception, The Friends of Reading Hospital have placed more than 635 AEDs across Berks County, including with first responders, in schools, and in public places such as FirstEnergy Stadium, Santander Arena, malls, colleges, and at numerous non-profits.
Each year Tompkins Financial and its Pennsylvania affiliates, (Tompkins VIST Bank, Tompkins Financial Advisors, and Tompkins Insurance Agency) supports many local charities throughout the community. This year, Tompkins Financial Advisors, chose to donate to HeartSAFE Berks County through The Friends of Reading Hospital.
"I'm proud that my team decided to support this endeavor as it is a charity that has personal lifesaving significance to me," said Mr. Post. "Without the use of an AED six years ago, I would not be here to present this token of our appreciation to such a wonderful initiative and community partner. We hope this donation helps to a make a difference in someone's life as it did mine."
In October 2013, Mr. Post suffered ventricular fibrillation, a serious heart rhythm disturbance, and collapsed at home. A friend called 9-1-1 and immediately began hands only CPR and within a few minutes Wyomissing Police responded with an AED from HeartSAFE Berks County that they used to revive Mr. Post.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.