07/30/2026
Today, we had the privilege of welcoming Mr. August Shouse to the El Campo EMS station to meet the crew who responded to his cardiac arrest in May.
Mr. Shouse was joined by Mrs. Lou Anne Kellman and Mr. & Mrs. John Hancock, all of whom were present on the day of the incident. It was a meaningful opportunity for everyone to reconnect with the first responders who cared for him during one of the most critical moments of his life.
When our crews arrived that day, Mr. Shouse was in cardiac arrest. After nearly 30 minutes of resuscitation efforts, our crews were able to restore a pulse before transporting him to El Campo Memorial Hospital, where he was further stabilized by the emergency department staff. Once stable enough for transport, El Campo EMS transferred him to St. Luke’s Texas Medical Center for specialized care.
During today’s visit, Mrs. Kellman shared something that meant a great deal to our crews. She said the physicians caring for Mr. Shouse at St. Luke’s were amazed by the level of care he had received before arriving at their facility. According to Mrs. Kellman, the doctors told her they had never seen a patient arrive after such an extensive and successful resuscitation effort by an EMS service and described his recovery as nothing short of a miracle.
Although only two members of the EMS crew are pictured today, Mr. Shouse’s care was truly a team effort. On the day of the incident, six El Campo EMS responders worked together during the resuscitation: Christa Alonzo, Allie Medrano, Denver Penner, Jonathon Hogan, Rachel Sifuentes, and Blake George. Their teamwork, professionalism, and dedication played a critical role in giving Mr. Shouse the best possible chance for survival.
For our crews, seeing Mr. Shouse walk back through our doors was a moment that will not soon be forgotten. In EMS, we do not often have the opportunity to see the outcome after a patient leaves our care. Being able to shake his hand, visit with him, and witness his remarkable recovery is one of the greatest rewards of this profession.
A successful outcome like this is never the work of one person or one agency. It is the result of the entire Chain of Survival—from those who recognized the emergency and called 911, to our EMS crews, the physicians and nurses at El Campo Memorial Hospital who provided lifesaving care, and the specialists at St. Luke’s who continued his treatment and rehabilitation.
Thank you to Mr. Shouse, Mrs. Kellman, and Mr. & Mrs. Hancock for taking the time to visit with our crew today. Your visit was an incredible encouragement to everyone involved and serves as a reminder of why we dedicate ourselves to serving this community every day.
Stories like this remind us that every second matters, every link in the Chain of Survival is important, and there is no greater reward than seeing a patient return home to the people who love them.
*Shared with the patient’s permission.*
