Lakeland Bank workers save customer's life

FRANKLIN — Two employees at the Lakeland Bank branch in Franklin acted quickly when a customer suffered a heart attack in the bank in early February.
Catherine DiSalvo and Adnan Shoukat both worked quickly and used the onsite defibrillator to save the customer's life.
“My staff and a customer did a great job and were able to revive the individual,” said Karen McDougal, Lakeland Bank Area Branch Manager. “Lakeland Bank is proud of its program to provide the very best in customer and colleague safety.”
Lakeland Bank initiated its Heart Safe program about 10 years ago at all its branches and offices to help fight Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The program involved the installation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at all locations as well as CPR/AED training for staff. An AED is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm to treat sudden cardiac arrest. This is the first time an AED has been used at a Branch since Lakeland installed the equipment.
Lakeland Bank partners with Team Life, a medical training provider and safety equipment supplier with locations in Colts Neck, Middlesex, and Cherry Hill, NJ, to ensure its safety program meets current standards.
“We are proud to be part of Lakeland Bank’s Heart Safe Program," Team Life President Jim Schatzle said. "Lakeland Bank has made the investment in the right training and right equipment for more than 10 years. That investment paid off with a life saved. Job well done by the staff at Franklin Branch."