Project Heart Beat

 Donna Wilder presenter.

San Diego Project Heart Beat

Maureen O’Connor has been in the field of emergency services for nearly thirty years. Most recently she acts as the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program Manager for San Diego Project Heart Beat (SDPHB). SDPHB is one of our nation’s first defibrillation programs to offer a unique opportunity for public and private venture. SDPHB was recognized by the National Center for Early Defibrillation (NCED) as best Large Community Program of the year in October of 2003. SDPHB received the 2009 Heart Safe Community Award PAD Program, Large Community from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association’s 2009 SCAA Public Service Award. Maureen takes great pride in her involvement with the development of this internationally recognized program since its inception in 2001. Maureen has served the communities of San Diego County as an Emergency First Responder in many different facets. Maureen worked on some of San Diego Cities busiest paramedic units as an EMT for San Diego Fire-Rescue, served as a Reserve Firefighter for the City of Poway and worked as a Ranger/Diver for the City of San Diego. Maureen’s passion for life saving PAD programs is apparent in the success of San Diego Project Heart Beat. Maureen and her team members have helped bring the dream and foresight of Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) and Early Access Defibrillation programs into fruition within the communities of San Diego County and inspiring over 50 other municipal PAD programs to include the statewide program, Nevada Project Heart Beat. Maureen won the San Diego Business Journal’s Annual Women Who Mean Business Award in October of 2004, for her success and accomplishments with the regional PAD program. She was also recognized by her department as EMS Administrative Support Person of the Year during National EMS Week in May 2005, recipient of VFW Post 3788’s 2005 Paramedic/EMT of the year award and 2008 – 2009 Outstanding Achievement Appreciation Award from the San Diego County American Heart Association Chapter. Maureen has also served as Co-Chair of the Local Planning Committee for the Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit (CASS) 2010, 2015 and 2021 alongside the City of San Diego’s Medical Directors. Maureen served for a decade on the Board of Directors for the Citizen’s CPR Foundation (CCPRF), chairing and co-chairing many of its most important community programs