Rotary Club of North Fulton

Service Hero Project: Honoring Cardiac Care Nurses

1. Service Hero Need & Community Impact

Cardiac care nurses serve on the front lines of lifesaving medical emergencies, often providing rapid intervention during the most critical moments of a patient's life. In 2024, Rotary Club of North Fulton member Richard Matherly experienced a sudden cardiac arrest while playing tennis. Thanks to the quick response of bystanders, access to an AED, and the exceptional care of cardiac care nurses at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, he survived.

This experience highlighted the extraordinary role cardiac care nurses play in saving lives in our community. Yet these healthcare professionals often work long, demanding shifts where finding time to eat a healthy meal can be difficult.

After consulting with cardiac care staff at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital and Emory Johns Creek Hospital, our club asked how we could best support them. Their response was simple but meaningful: access to healthy snacks during their shifts.

To address this need, the Rotary Club of North Fulton organized a Service Hero recognition project providing nutritious snack trays and lunch to the cardiac care teams who dedicate themselves daily to saving lives in our community.

This project both honored these healthcare heroes and supported their well-being while they continue to serve patients during high-stress medical situations.

2. Goals, Outcomes & Service Hero Impact

The primary goals of this project were to:

• Recognize and thank cardiac care nurses who provide lifesaving services
• Support their health and energy during long shifts with nutritious food options
• Demonstrate Rotary’s appreciation for healthcare heroes in our community
• Strengthen relationships between Rotary and local healthcare institutions

Outcomes:

• Healthy snack trays were assembled and delivered to cardiac care teams at two hospitals.

• 52 cardiac care team members received nutritious snacks to support them during their shifts.

• Rotarians also provided lunch for the teams on the day of delivery, offering an immediate expression of gratitude.

• Nurses expressed appreciation for the recognition and the practical support during busy shifts.

Beyond the immediate impact, the project strengthened Rotary’s connection with local healthcare workers and raised awareness of the importance of cardiac emergency care in the community.

3. Budget & Stewardship of Funds

The project was designed to maximize impact while remaining fiscally responsible.

Funds were used to purchase:

• Fresh fruit

• Healthy snack bars

• Trail mix

• Granola bites

• Other nutritious grab-and-go snack options

• Lunch for the cardiac care teams

All items were selected based on the nurses’ request for healthy, convenient foods that could be eaten quickly during demanding shifts.

Rotarians carefully managed purchasing to ensure funds were used efficiently while providing high-quality snacks that supported the nurses’ well-being.

4. Project Timeline & Feasibility

The project was organized and executed within a clear and manageable timeline:

Project Planning

• Rotary club member shared personal cardiac arrest survival story

• Club identified cardiac care nurses as Service Heroes

• Hospitals were contacted to determine their needs

Preparation

• Healthy snack options were selected and purchased

• Rotarians assembled snack trays and recognition materials

Implementation

• Snack trays and lunches were delivered to:

  • Wellstar North Fulton Hospital

  • Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Follow-up

• Rotarians personally thanked nurses and shared appreciation for their lifesaving work.

The project was feasible, efficiently organized, and completed successfully with strong participation from club members.

5. Rotarian Engagement & Hands-On Service

This project included strong hands-on involvement from Rotary members.

• 11 Rotarians participated in planning, purchasing supplies, assembling snack trays, and delivering them to hospitals.

• Members personally interacted with nurses during deliveries, expressing appreciation for their service.

• Rotarians assembled trays of healthy snacks and coordinated logistics to ensure delivery to both hospitals.

This direct engagement reinforced Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self and created meaningful personal connections between Rotarians and healthcare workers.

6. Public Image, Recognition & Rotary Visibility

The project prominently highlighted both the Service Heroes and Rotary’s role in supporting the community.

Recognition included:

• Visible signage thanking nurses and identifying the Rotary Club of North Fulton

• Personal thank-you interactions with cardiac care teams

• Photographs documenting the project and snack deliveries

• Opportunities to share the story through club communications and community channels

The project also reinforces Rotary’s broader initiative to train 1,000 community members in CPR and AED use, further demonstrating the club’s commitment to improving cardiac emergency response and saving lives.

By honoring cardiac care nurses and sharing the story behind this effort, the Rotary Club of North Fulton strengthened Rotary’s public image while recognizing true community heroes.

✅ Project Impact Summary

• 52 cardiac care team members recognized and supported

• 2 hospitals served

• 16 Rotarians actively participated

• Healthy snack trays and lunch provided

• Strong community gratitude and Rotary visibility