(Houston, MO) Texas County Memorial Hospital and its dedicated staff were honored to provide lifesaving care to one of their own—Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer—after he suffered a sudden heart attack on Thursday evening, July 17.
What began as a typical summer night quickly became a medical emergency.
“I had just mowed the grass and was relaxing at home when I started walking down the hallway and noticed that my hands and fingers didn’t feel right,” Bridges recalled. “I told my wife, Shannon, that I thought something was wrong. Then I passed out and slid down the wall.”
Shannon immediately called 911. While waiting for help, Bridges briefly regained consciousness and tried to get up—only to collapse again.
Within minutes, EMS crew members Travis Mills and Jason Steelman arrived, loaded Bridges into the ambulance, and began care. Before leaving the house, they established IV lines in both arms and performed a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG). The results showed a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)—a severe heart attack requiring immediate intervention. The crew alerted TCMH’s emergency department to prepare for their arrival.
Upon arrival, the emergency team followed established STEMI protocols—part of the hospital’s Level Four STEMI designation from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. These protocols ensure rapid, coordinated action to preserve heart muscle until the patient can reach a facility equipped for advanced cardiac procedures.
Dr. Jared Emery, the physician on call, ordered a second EKG, which was performed within one minute of arrival—far ahead of the state goal of 10 minutes. He also ordered lab work and a chest X-ray. The results confirmed the STEMI diagnosis.
Front row left to right: Hannah Pursell, ER tech; Sarah Sanborn, phlebotomist; Kimery Krewson, radiology; Kristy McCown, radiology; Dawn Harris, ED ward clerk. Back row left to right: Madison Graeff, RN; Jo Stout, respiratory; Elisabeth Volanski, RN; Shannon Bridges, Bill Bridges, CEO and STEMI patient; Dr. Jared Emery; Jason Steelman, EMS; Travis Mills, EMS; Chris Gorman, registration clerk. Not pictured: Rebecca Gorton, RN; Maddison Williams, ER tech; Dearly Naong, lab.
