JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTNER ON CPR EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

Miami, FL – The images were captivating, heartbreaking and unforgettable at the same time: Five-month-old Sebastian de la Cruz, turning blue and being administered lifesaving CPR by a loving aunt alongside a busy Miami expressway.

Sebastian is alive today because his aunt, Pamela Rauseo, took it upon herself to learn infant CPR years earlier. After his aunt’s heroic efforts, Sebastian was rushed to Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center for treatment. Doctors say his aunt’s CPR training saved his life.

Their story – and the dramatic photos of the harrowing ordeal – made headlines throughout the world and raised awareness on the importance of CPR training, especially the important differences for infants and children.

Today, Sebastian’s family, Jackson Health System President and CEO Carlos A. Migoya, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., announced a partnership in an effort to bring CPR training to thousands of county residents and students in a massive, potentially record-breaking CPR class.

This effort fulfills Jackson’s mission to provide for the health care of the community and the district and the university’s mission to educate. Details of this plan are still being hammered out and will be released in the coming weeks.

“The more people who learn this very important life-saving skill, the more happy endings we will hear about,” said Migoya. “We want there to be more heroes like Pamela Rauseo and more survivors like Sebastian.”

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools, through more than 53,000 employees and 340,000 students, has an established network to a majority of Miami-Dade citizens who are tied to the District through various relationships,” said Carvalho. “Therefore, it is logical that we explore the expansion of CPR training opportunities, either through our own resources or in partnership with others. Through education, we could literally put the power to save lives in the hands of thousands.”

“We will continue to work hard to bring this critically important message to our community,” said Goldschmidt. “An event such as this should inspire many more people to learn this simple technique that saves lives.”