CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

INEZ — The Martin County Health Department has received a gift that could mean the difference between life and death. The ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities has donated automated external defibrillators (AEDs), enabling local staff to respond promptly in cardiac emergencies.

AEDs can be used by both trained professionals and laypeople. With the push of a button, the devices analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if needed, deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat. For a rural county like Martin, where hospital care can be miles away, the availability of AEDs represents a critical safeguard.

“Every second matters when someone goes into cardiac arrest,” Angela Bailey, the foundation’s executive director, said. “We want to make sure the communities we serve have the right tools in the right hands when they’re needed most. Partnering with the Martin County Health Department is just one more way we can help build and maintain healthier communities.”

Bailey presented the devices during the Martin County Harvest Fest, where Appalachian Regional Healthcare also deployed its mobile clinic. The traveling unit brings screenings, primary care and chronic disease management to underserved communities across eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia.

Eric Mills, the county’s public health director, called the donation an investment in both safety and trust.

“We are thankful for healthcare partners like ARH and the ARH Foundation who bring quality care right here to our community and make things like this possible,” he said. “We believe in caring for the whole person and improving health for all our neighbors. These AEDs give us another way to respond when minutes matter and to continue supporting the overall wellness of our community.”

The donation is part of a broader effort by the ARH Foundation to strengthen healthcare and expand resources in the region. To support initiatives like this, visit www.ARH.org/donate.