News
Dr. Amy Thompson Joins Lion Heart Heroes Foundation Board as Medical Director!
We first discovered Col. Amy Thompson through her powerful 2024 NCO Journal article, A Call for Action to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death. In 2025, Col. Thompson joined our Army AED Advocacy Team as we launched national efforts to ensure an AED is on every sideline—especially for our nation’s warriors.
After more than 20 years of service, including her final role at Keller Army Community Hospital, Col. Thompson recently retired from the United States Army. She is board-certified in pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and sports medicine, and brings extensive operational experience as a flight, battalion, brigade, and division surgeon.
In her new role as Medical Director, Dr. Thompson will provide clinical and scientific guidance, medical oversight, and strategic leadership to support the foundation’s mission.
“I am passionate to make an impact on improving the health and safety of all athletes, especially our nation’s warriors. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors and to be part of the team at Lion Heart Heroes Foundation.” — Dr. Thompson
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Thompson to our board. We value her expertise and shared passion for cardiac safety.
ECG Screening Pilot (Project ERASE) Launches at Lackland AFB
In early spring 2025, Lackland Air Force Base hosted Project ERASE—the Electrocardiogram (ECG) Risk Assessment to reduce Sudden Cardiac Events—as a pilot for United States Air Force trainees. Screening began with a standardized personal and family history questionnaire, followed by blood pressure and a resting ECG. Abnormal findings prompted a medical evaluation, with possible follow-up echocardiogram.
Benefits of this research program include:
- Early detection: The program has the potential to save lives by identifying potentially life-threatening conditions in asymptomatic individuals before they become a problem.
- Rapid return-to-duty: By catching issues early, the program aims to quickly return most candidates to their duties, as disqualification is rare (only about 4 out of 10,000).
- Proactive intervention: Early detection allows for advanced interventions, such as implantable defibrillators, in high-risk cases.
More than 9,000 trainees were screened, supporting early detection and prevention of sudden cardiac death.
A Visit to Camp Pendleton
When we learned that a conference room was going to be named in honor of Pvt Kyle D. Siminak, who died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest on December 7, 2024, we asked his parents if they would like us to donate an AED in Kyle’s memory. It all came together quickly, and the AED was donated on May 23, 2025, just before the conference room was dedicated. It has been placed just outside the Command Deck for the School of Infantry – West, in a building that did not have an AED. The Commanding Officer has also ordered AEDs for each training unit and their barracks. Among other improvements, they have also instituted CPR training for all Combat Instructors.
One of the shadow boxes in the newly decorated Pvt Kyle Siminak Conference Room.
The Commanding Officer who facilitated this donation to Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry–West.
Laurie Finlayson gives a brief speech about why we donate AEDs.
A memorial cross for Pvt Kyle Siminak, with memorial bracelet for LCpl David Finlayson.
New Zoll Plus AEDs for the training units.
Memorial plaque
A close-up of the placard telling about Kyle and the changes they are making at SOI-W.
U.S. Marines with Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry–West, along with family and friends of U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Kyle D. Siminak, gather for a group photo during the conference room dedication ceremony at Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry–West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 23, 2025. The ceremony commemorated Pvt. Siminak’s service and sacrifice following his passing during training on Dec. 7, 2024. Family members, friends, and fellow Marines gathered to remember and celebrate his life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patrick King)
A New Initiative: Army AED Advocacy at Fort Campbell
A new initiative for Lion Heart Heroes is led by Gold Star parents, medical professionals, and industry leaders who understand the devastating impact of SCA and the urgent need for prevention, screening, and emergency preparedness within the military community.
We are working together to raise awareness, expand AED accessibility, and implement life-saving measures to protect soldiers and their families from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), with a focused effort at Fort Campbell and eventually across military installations nationwide. #keepmilitaryheartsbeating
NDAA FY25 – Report Required on Availability of AEDs
The Chairman’s Mark of NDAA FY25 includes our report language on the availability of defibrillators. You can read it on page 169 of the Military Personnel Mark. As report language, the Department of Defense is required to comply with the required report. However, acquiring the information is proving to be difficult.
The NDAA FY24 includes a Pilot Program for ECG Screening of Recruits!
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 includes Section 547, “Pilot Program on Cardiac Screenings for Military Accessions.” Your efforts and support have made a life-saving difference for future military recruits!
Section 547 mandates that the Department of Defense start a three-year pilot program of ECG screening for military recruits with a report back to Congress by March 2028. The first pilot took place at Lackland Air Force Base in 2025, where over 9,000 Air Force trainees were screened with ECGs (Project ERASE).
Read all about it in Patricia Kime’s story in Military.com, US Military to Screen All New Recruits for Heart Conditions Under Must-Pass Annual Defense Bill, published December 14, 2023. The article says “All” recruits, but we know it will be only for those sites that are selected for the pilot program. Expanding ECG screening to all accession points will come eventually!