Paying it Forward

Stephen A. Brown, an Air Force veteran, experienced cardiac arrest in 2016 at age 64 while in the family room of his home. First, his wife and then 7 first responders administered CPR. For 42 minutes, Brown had no recordable pulse detected. He flatlined 3 times and was shocked 6 times. During CPR, 7 ribs were broken.

Yet Brown lived to talk about it. In fact, he wrote a book, “Are You Ready to Call It?” that follows the events of his survival as his life was brought back to him.

Within it are true stories of dedication, kindness, resolve and determination: paramedics who refused to give up, family members who stayed by his side and The University of Kansas Health System physicians who ultimately restored his faith in the medical profession.

“When you’re given back your heartbeat, you don’t waste it,” Brown said.

Brown is on a mission to pay forward his miracle comeback. He’s thinking about the long-term impact his experience might have on others.

A portion of the proceeds from his book sale will benefit cardiac services at The University of Kansas Health System.

In the 8.5 years of recovery since the incident, he has had another scare during his cardiac rehabilitation that sent him to an emergency room at another health system. The doctor at that hospital told him he was OK and was prepared to send him home. But Brown’s daughter, a University of Kansas Medical Center graduate herself, insisted on getting a second opinion.

At that juncture, Brown was transferred to The University of Kansas Health System, and he noticed a contrast in the way in which he received care. The first morning he woke up in the cardiology unit, he had a team of 12 gathered around his hospital bed.

“I was floored,” he said. “I thought, ‘You can't get any better than this.’”

Brown spent many years of his career in corporate security, and he greatly values service.

The cardiac team spent 8 months carefully calibrating his prescriptions to be optimal, and he also got a new defibrillator, among other advancements in his health.

He now receives 100% of his medical care through the health system.

“When you ask me how I'm doing, I'm doing great. And I give all that credit to my care team,” Brown said. “I give it all to their team approach. I've never experienced anything like that.”

Brown’s idea for a book was inspired by a friend who told him, “You need to share your story.”

Others in his circle chimed in to convince him of the need to use his influence to inspire people not only on their own health journeys but also to help others in need.

Brown’s goal is to leave an endowment that directly supports The University of Kansas Health System. Thanks to Brown’s generosity, he and Patricia can continue to make a positive difference for years to come.

“People should be empowered to take their medical care into their own hands,” Brown said. “Ask questions. Be your own advocate and then seek high quality care. Don’t fear a second opinion.”

The public can find vital information on heart care at The University of Kansas Health System’s White Heart Learning and Resource Center – a free, in-person and online library of resources for patients with heart disease and their loved ones. Thanks to generous donor support, hands-on learning opportunities, helpful resources and literature and nutrition-focused recipes and cookbooks are available at the White center for anyone interested in learning more about heart health.

Additionally, The University of Kansas Health System provides lifesaving heart care through groundbreaking technology and research achievements. The Health System is the first hospital in the nation to achieve Comprehensive Cardiac Center (CCC) Certification.

You can help others find comfort and care at The University of Kansas Health System by making a gift to support cardiac care. Learn more by emailing the fund development team.