Training Texans to save a life

By Alex Branch

Dr Oz

More than 6,000 Texans know how to perform chest compressions, thanks to the efforts of 700 medical students across Texas, including about 100 from UNT Health Science Center

Dr. Mehmet Oz from “The Dr. Oz Show” joined UNTHSC students at Hulen Mall on Feb. 12 for the second annual Texas Two Step to film a segment for his television show.

A large crowd of passersby gathered near the mall escalators to hear Dr. Oz give a short speech about the important of learning CPR, which statistics show can double or triple a person’s chance of survival if performed within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest.

“Dr. Oz helps draw a lot of excitement and interest,” said Matt Millington, a third-year student at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. “It was a great experience for the medical students to teach people a skill that can help save the lives of patients before they even get to the hospital.”

The Texas Two Step “How to Save a Life” campaign is organized by students from all eleven medical schools in Texas, serving over 40 community sites in 13 cities.

Last year, students trained more than 4,200 people.

Health Science Center students spent the weekend at locations in Fort Worth, Arlington and Benbrook with lots of pedestrian traffic, such as malls and YMCAs. Millington estimated that students taught chest compressions to about 800 people at Tarrant County locations.

At Hulen Mall, UNTHSC students in hospital scrubs held one-on-one training sessions for people of all ages. After Dr. Oz arrived, people gathered around the second-floor railing to watch him film a segment with the students.

“Let’s save lives,” he shouted to the crowd.

Partners for the event are the Texas College of Emergency Physicians, Texas Medical Association Foundation, Texas Medical Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Medicine Residents Association, MaveRx and Healthcorps.

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