Paramedic Marie Eisbrenner, EMT Shawn Smith, and Paramedic Amy Oosterlinck each received a “Star of Life” Award Monday evening for saving the life of Hagar Township resident Kenneth Clark.

According to Balow, on the afternoon of April 25, 2006, CEMS Medical received a call for a possible cardiac arrest on Fikes Road in Hagar Township. Two CEMS Medical units responded, along with Coloma Township Police Department and several Berrien County Sheriff units.

Within seven minutes, Eisbrenner and Smith arrived and found 52 year-old Kenneth Clark sitting in his living room, complaining of severe “crushing” chest pain. It was determined that Ken was suffering from a massive heart attack.

Paramedic Oosterlinck arrived on the scene and was asked by Eisbrenner to contact Community Hospital Watervliet and have the hospital get West Michigan Air Care dispatched.

After only 19 minutes from first receiving the call, Clark was loaded in the ambulance nad transported to Watervliet. Even after administering oxygen, aspirin, nitroglycerin and morphine, Ken’s pain was still a “7” on a 1-10 scale upon arrival at the hospital. Because the Air Care helicopter had been notified earlier, he was able to be transferred to Borgess via the helicopter after only 10 minutes upon his arrival at Watervliet.

At Borgess, Clark underwent immediate cardiac catheterization and was found to have 100% blockage of one of the main vessels in hi heart. A stent was placed and Ken remained hospitalized for several days.

Staff members at Borgess told Ken that they had never seen someone who had come in as serious as he was make such an amazing recovery.

After the award presentation at the Hagar Township Hall, an emotional Ken Clark thanked the ambulance crew for saving his life and explained how he now looked at life differently. “Thank you,” Ken said. “Thank you for everything.”