Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

Dr. Jonathan Weinstein was honored at Northport High School – receiving the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation’s Heart Saver Award for his quick actions that saved a soccer referee who went into cardiac arrest during a game.

Carmen Grant

Apr 27, 2024, 10:03 PM

Updated 221 days ago

Share:

Dr. Jonathan Weinstein, a cardiologist at North Suffolk Cardiology, a practice in the Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group, was honored Saturday at Northport High School – receiving the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation’s Heart Saver Award for his quick actions that saved a soccer referee.
Chris Baars, 60, went into cardiac arrest during a soccer game in March.
"We were able to bring a defibrillator device to him. We were able to revive him after four shots of the machine and about 20 minutes of chest compressions," says Weinstein.
Baars says he's grateful for Weinstein's quick actions.
"All I have to say is thank you," added Baars.
The ceremony was hosted by the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation. It's named after 14-year old Louis Acompora who died after going into sudden cardiac arrest during a lacrosse game in 2000.
The foundation helped pass Louis' Law which requires all public schools in New York to have certified automated external defibrillators in their buildings.