In the News

Recent news coverage related to Minutes Matter, an initiative UPMC launched to provide community members with access to basic emergency information and education about life-saving interventions.

A new nasal spray to reverse fentanyl and other opioid overdoses gets FDA approval

U.S. health regulators on Monday approved a new easy-to-use version of a medication to reverse overdoses caused by fentanyl and other opioids driving the nation's drug crisis.

UPMC Provides Lifesaving Skills Training to Little League International Staff

UPMC in North Central Pennsylvania recently hosted a series of Stop the Bleed training courses with staff from Little League International. The training courses focused on skills to help manage traumatic bleeding injuries.

'Minutes matter': Program planned to enable community training for CPR, other medical emergencies

When Somerset Ambulance Association Director John Jordan looked back at the organization’s cardiac event calls over the past few years, he spotted an obvious trend.In cases in which family members or even strangers stepped up to perform CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, survival rates skyrocketed. Patients were discharged faster, neurologically intact, Jordan said.

UPMC Hamot teaching the public about basic emergency education with new program

Medical experts and city leaders came together to emphasize a community initiative that teaches people basic lifesaving skills.There’s a UPMC effort called “Minutes Matter,” which encourages bystanders to act in emergency situations.

FDA approval of over-the-counter Narcan is an important step in the effort to combat the US opioid crisis

On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter sale. Narcan is the 4-milligram nasal spray version of naloxone, a medication that can quickly counteract an opioid overdose.

McAlisterville man beats odds, reunites with those who saved his life

A grateful and joyous reunion that was four years in the making, Sidney Freyermuth finally got the chance to meet the first responders who saved his life.The McAlisterville man went into cardiac arrest on June 24, 2019, while working at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in Harrisburg. Through the quick actions of his fellow co-workers, doctors at UPMC Harrisburg hospital and responding EMTs, Freyermuth is alive.

Juniata County man reunited with the EMS team that saved his life

Sidney Freyermuth was defibrillated twice when EMS arrived. He was then quickly transported to UPMC Harrisburg.

UPMC Revives Minutes Matter Campaign for Super Bowl Sunday

A Minutes Matter ad launched in Williamsport this week and Super Bowl viewers in Pittsburgh, Erie and Harrisburg will see a Minutes Matter spot Sunday during the game telecast.

UPMC Revives Ad Campaign for Super Bowl

Pittsburgh-based UPMC is relaunching its Minutes Matter ad campaign in the Pittsburgh, Erie and Harrisburg markets for the Super Bowl, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported Feb. 7. The ads focus on emergency preparedness and how to help during a mental health emergency.

988: New Number For Mental Health Hotline Launching Nationwide

People in a mental health crisis will have a new way to get help fast. They can call or text the number 988, and professionals at a local center will get them the support they need.

Where Do People Stand on Talking About Their Mental Health?

The topic of mental health can be a tricky one for many people. For years, there has been a stigma around the idea of mental health, with many people hesitant to approach the subject. "There has definitely been a shift," said Layne Filio, a behavioral therapist at UPMC Western Behavioral Health Center for Children and Families. "When I was growing up, it wasn't cool to go to therapy. Now, it's very cool."

Dr. Kashif Chaudhry’s Tips on Heart Health Emergencies

Cardiovascular disease is leading cause of death across the globe. Newswatch 16 caught up with him to discuss heart health, something he says is a major topic in the United States.

UPMC-Developed Digital App Shows Potential to Reduce Anxiety and Depression in Youths

Amidst a national shortage of pediatric mental health providers and a surge in anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults, there is a need for additional tools to help young people. A team of investigators from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh found that a digital application may remove barriers to mental health care and is associated with reduced emotional distress when offered as part of routine pediatric care.

WPXI’s Susan Koeppen recounts life-saving CPR event

Just as two medical students ran to the aid of news anchor Susan Koeppen when she collapsed while jogging in Shadyside in 2011, Koeppen came to the aid of a man who had a cardiac incident while driving in July.

How to help someone with a gunshot wound

Stop the Bleed program teaches key first aid skills

Williamsport doctor saves life on plane

Dr. Kashif Chaudhry is the director of cardiac electrophysiology at UPMC Williamsport. This past weekend he was on a flight to Phoenix when another passenger went into cardiac arrest.

Pittsburgh’s ShotSpotter data shows first responders were able to help victims even when 911 wasn’t called

The city of Pittsburgh announced data from 2019 and 2020 showed first responders were able to provide aid to shooting victims even when 911 wasn’t called because of the city’s ShotSpotter alert system.

UPMC, City of Pittsburgh team up on Minutes Matter life-saving initiative

During an emergency, a few minutes could be the difference between life and death. That’s why WPXI is proud to help bring awareness to a new joint initiative between the city of Pittsburgh and UPMC called Minutes Matter.

Pittsburgh to Invest $3.1 Million on New Automatic Defibrillators

In a “total revamp” of its equipment, Pittsburgh is slated to invest $3.1 million in purchasing new automatic defibrillators for first responder vehicles. “I’d like the AEDs to be as common as Narcan out in the streets,” said Wendell Hissrich, Pittsburgh director of public safety. The new devices will replace ones that are outdated or reaching the end of their battery life.

CDC Awards Allegheny County Grant to Fight Opioid Epidemic

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said the county has received a multi-million dollar grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to battle the opioid epidemic in Pittsburgh-area communities. The county will receive $5.2 million annually through 2022. The funding will be used by the Allegheny County Health Department to administer prevention activities, provide emergency care, and track drug use trends.

UPMC’s Minutes Matter program turns anyone into a first responder, debuts with Super Bowl commercial

UPMC debuted a commercial for its Minutes Matter program during the Super Bowl, a partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, which they say helps turn anyone into a first responder during an emergency.

Pittsburgh, UPMC providing free lifesaving training

Minutes matter when it comes to saving a life during a catastrophic medical emergency. That’s why Pittsburgh and UPMC are partnering on a free program designed to educate the public on lifesaving techniques people can use in the minutes before medical help arrives.

For Journalists

UPMC Media Relations
412-647-3555