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.

Hermitage, UPMC Horizon launch emergency-health training program for residents

Emergencies can happen anytime, and you might find yourself in a situation where someone needs your help. UPMC Horizon and the city of Hermitage are starting a new initiative called Minutes Matter, regardless of the emergency.

Health Talk: Suicide Prevention Month

In recent years, our approach to mental health has started to evolve. There's still a stigma around suicide and it's more important than ever to address it.

A Second Chance at Life: Erie Nurse Saves Runner During Presque Isle Half-Marathon

Earlier this month at the Presque Isle Half-Marathon, a runner suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the race. And if it wasn't for the incredible people around him, many of them local nurses, including Kara Coleman's best friend, who she was running with, he certainly wouldn't be here today.

Marathon Runner Reunites With Heroes Who Saved His Life

Greg Woodman was running in a half marathon in Pennsylvania when he suffered a massive heart attack. By luck, running in the same race were some health care professionals, including two nurses.

Dauphin County officials hold panel to address overdose spike

After a deadly week of overdoses in the Harrisburg area, officials are trying to raise awareness and save lives.

‘Live to fight another day’: Dauphin County takes steps to reduce overdose deaths

Dauphin County is planning multiple efforts to address the crisis that resulted in nine overdose deaths, including expanding access to treatment and providing lifesaving medical supplies.

First over-the-counter Narcan spray hits store shelves

Naloxone, the potentially lifesaving drug, is now available over the counter. Commonly found under the brand name Narcan, the drug hit store shelves on Wednesday, marking the first opioid treatment to be sold over the counter.

Narcan available over-the-counter nationwide starting this week

Narcan, the drug used to help stop an opioid overdose, will be available without a prescription in certain drug stores nationwide beginning Thursday. It comes amid an increase in overdose deaths. Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows the Commonwealth experienced roughly 5,000 opioid overdoses in the past year.

UPMC Hamot to Hand Out Free Narcan Kits as Part of Minutes Matter Campaign

UPMC Hamot has partnered with the City of Erie for their Minutes Matter campaign. Part of Hamot's community outreach efforts include distribution free Narcan kits.

Minutes Matter campaign hopes to save lives

UPMC and local EMS are working together to train the public on life-saving techniques.

UPMC launches Minutes Matter campaign to promote medical emergency training, education

In a medical emergency, a few minutes could mean the difference between life and death.That’s the message that UPMC is sharing with its Minutes Matter campaign, in partnership with Harrisburg, to provide emergency training and education to the public.

City of Harrisburg partners with UPMC for 'Minutes Matter' initiative, stresses timeliness of life-saving aid

The partnership promotes lifesaving skills, including hands-only CPR, Narcan administration, mental health training and more.

Man meets first responders who saved his life

Williamsport first responders saved Bill Gusler's life in November of 2022 while he was having a heart attack.

The City of Harrisburg and UPMC are teaming up to stress the importance of the life-saving measures you can do in minutes.

'Minutes Matter' program will help bring life-saving skills to Harrisburg

UPMC’s Minutes Matter initiative introduced for locals

Local officials and UPMC announced a new plan to teach lifesaving tactics called “Minutes Matter.”

First Responders Recognized for Life-Saving Reponse

On Thursday, May 25th at 9:00 AM members of the Williamsport Bureau of Police, Williamsport Bureau of Fire, and Susquehanna Health EMS were recognized and awarded pins for their actions that saved a victim's life.

Expert: What to do in an emergency when minutes matter

Cardiac arrests, opioid overdoses, mental health crises, and bleeding emergencies sound like the plot lines for your favorite medical TV drama, but the reality is they happen to people every day. You never know if and when a medical emergency is going to happen, so it’s best to be prepared for anything.

UPMC program educates bystanders about emergency response

As UPMC launches a program to educate bystanders about emergency response, it is partnering with local organizations to provide materials.

UPMC, Baseball Squad Team Up for Lifesaving Training

Staff from the Williamsport Crosscutters in Pennsylvania are prepared for everything, including an emergency. Staff recently participated in a lifesaving skills training series hosted by EMS clinicians from Susquehanna Regional EMS and UPMC. The training, part of UPMC’s Minutes Matter program, took place at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport.

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.

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 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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

How to help someone with a gunshot wound

Stop the Bleed program teaches key first aid skills

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’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.

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.

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.

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.

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