A woman’s heart suddenly stopped. Two passing nurses saved her life.
Merryl Hoffman, a 63-year-old attorney, had always been diligent about taking care of her heart. With a history of marathon running and a clean lifestyle, she thought she was in good health. However, on a fateful morning in October 2024, her world turned upside down. As she rushed to catch the subway to work, Hoffman suddenly collapsed due to a severe arrhythmia, leading to a sudden cardiac arrest.
Fortunately, Hoffman collapsed right outside Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Breast and Imaging Center, where she received immediate help from a patient care technician, a passing runner, and two nurses, Sabrina Castle and Gianna Formisano. These quick-thinking individuals sprang into action, performing CPR on Hoffman until paramedics arrived.
Dr. Jessica Hennessey, a cardiologist, emphasizes the importance of early CPR in saving lives during cardiac arrests. The actions of Castle and Formisano, along with other bystanders, significantly increased Hoffman’s chances of survival. She was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian’s cardiac care unit, where she underwent lifesaving treatment.
After five days of being unconscious, Hoffman woke up to learn that her heart had stopped for several minutes. Doctors credited the swift actions of those who helped her with saving her life. She underwent surgery to implant a cardioverter-defibrillator to prevent future cardiac arrests and started cardiac rehabilitation to regain her strength.
During her recovery, Hoffman shared her story with a physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation, who connected her with Castle and Formisano. The trio met for dinner, where the nurses filled in the details of that fateful morning. The bond between them grew stronger, and they remained in touch, even running into each other at the same spot where Hoffman collapsed.
The chance reunion served as a reminder of the incredible chain of events that led to Hoffman’s survival. Castle and Formisano were overjoyed to see Hoffman alive and well, a stark contrast to their first encounter. Their friendship continues to thrive, a testament to the enduring impact of their lifesaving actions.
