Central athletic trainers named Heroes of the Heartland

Central College

PELLA—Central College athletic trainers Chris Viesselman, Dustin Briggs and Leslie Duinink have received the Emergency Rescue Heroes of the Heartland Award from the Southern Prairie Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Viesselman, Briggs and Duinink saved the lives of two Pella residents that went into cardiac arrest last spring less than eight weeks apart. The trainers were in the facility after work hours both times when the residents needed CPR and use of the Automatic External Defibrillator.

Viesselman and Briggs revived Ken Nollen in March after he collapsed in the racquetball court and Viesselman and Duinink revived Steve McCann in May, who came into the athletics facility after jogging on the track. Once they were stabilized, both men were taken to the Pella Regional Health Center before being transported to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

“I’m glad we were able to affect a positive change and it worked out in the end,” Duinink said. “The ambulance crew tells us it doesn’t always go that way so the fact we’re 2-for-2 here is pretty good.”

Athletic training education program director John Roslien nominated the three for the honor. They were recognized at an awards breakfast and program at Indian Hills Community College earlier this month.

The Southern Prairie Chapter serves the communities in Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Monroe, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties.