‘Heroes At Heart’ aid referee in distress

It’s nice to know that when doctors and nurses from Terrebonne General Medical Center and Leonard Chabert Medical Center are off the duty, they’re really not.

The Terrebonne General staff gathered in the their multi-purpose room to honor the doctors, nurses and Chabert’s medical director, who aided Gary Baylor, a high school sideline referee, collapsed at a Vandebilt football game three weeks ago.

Commission Board Chairman Mike Fakier said he is proud of Drs. William St. Martin, Jules Dupont, Charles Ledoux, Michael Garcia and staff Rose Cumeo, Mark Spence and Ed Huerstel. “They have a natural passion to save lives and that’s what they did,” he said.

At the ceremony, each person was given a plaque and a burgundy button-down shirt reading “TGMC’s Heroes at Heart.” Huerstel was unable to attend the ceremony because he was out of town.

As they received their mementos, each was given an opportunity to speak. All said they didn’t feel like heroes … they were just doing their jobs.

At the ceremony, the 65-year-old referee said, “Thank you for giving me back my life and allowing me to celebrate more happy anniversaries with my wife.”

Baylor said he began to feel dizzy at the game shortly before every thing went black. He woke up in the hospital 24 hours later.

What he didn’t know is that when he hit the ground, the medical personnel rushed from the stands onto the field to help.

St. Martin, a family physician at TGMC, serves as the team doctor. He said he was the first to assist Baylor on the field. “I have a tendency to follow the action during the game,” he said. “I was right there next to the 20-yard line when he collapsed.”

Following suit, more than half a dozen medical professionals moved to the field when they saw Baylor in distress. St. Martin said when things didn’t look good, they began several life saving measures including CPR.

The medical professionals said when Acadian Medical arrived all the doctors searched for equipment to revive the referee.

In the biblical sense, Baylor said God must not be ready for him. He said he owes his life to the medical staff and nurses at Terrebonne General. “They spent countless days and nights making me feel comfortable.”

Baylor spent 12 days at TGMC; doctors told him that he had suffered cardiac arrhythmia, meaning his heart muscles contracted at an irregular rate.

Doctors say Baylor had no prior history of heart trouble and the exact cause of his initial problem is still unknown.

Phyllis Peoples, TGMC chief executive officer and president said, “They are indeed heroes and it’s a good feeling to know we are making a difference.”

Baylor said he has noticed the Terrebonne General commercial a few times and he is glad to say they live up to their name..

Sophia Ruffin can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or sophia@tri-parishtimes.com.