A powerful moment of gratitude unfolded this week as a patient who survived a severe heart attack returned to thank the emergency team at Orlando Health Emergency Room – Osceola for saving his life.
César A. Díaz Lira, 58, arrived at the Osceola emergency room experiencing chest pain and extreme fatigue — classic warning signs of a cardiac event. Medical staff immediately performed an electrocardiogram (EKG), which revealed a ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) — a complete blockage of a coronary artery and one of the most serious forms of heart attack.
Recognizing the urgency, the emergency team acted without hesitation.
“We have all the tools that any ER would have. We coordinate with our transfer center for transport to get to other sites within the Orlando Health system,” said Dr. Brian Head, medical director of Orlando Health Emergency Room – Osceola. “Within 30 minutes of Cesar arriving, the helicopter was on the way.”
Mr. Díaz Lira was stabilized and transported by Air Care to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, where cardiovascular specialists were ready and waiting. There, he underwent an emergency angioplasty procedure to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow.
From the moment he entered the Osceola ER to the life-saving intervention, the entire process took less than 90 minutes — meeting the national industry standard for STEMI treatment and dramatically reducing the risk of permanent heart damage.
“Cesar’s happy ending is what we all hope for — you come in, it’s recognized early and we are able to intervene in the amount of time where no permanent damage or no life-changing damage is done to your heart,” said Jazmine Wisecup, director of cardiovascular services at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital.
This week, Díaz Lira returned to the emergency room where it all began. In an emotional reunion, he hugged team members and offered prayers of gratitude.
“Orlando Health treated me like I was family,” Díaz Lira said.
His story serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing heart attack symptoms early and seeking immediate care. Quick action — both by the patient and the medical team — can make the difference between life and death.
For the team at Orlando Health Emergency Room – Osceola, moments like this reaffirm their mission: delivering rapid, coordinated care that protects the health and lives of the Osceola community.
