HEART

I became a ham in June 2000.  The reason for becoming a ham was being the Director of Maintenance and Emergency Management at the Eastern Virginia Medical School I knew the importance of redundant means of communications and amateur radio fit that bill.  I retired from EVMS in early 2003 and in September 2003 was contacted by Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  I was asked if I would establish a station in their hospital to work directly with their EOC as Hurricane Isabel was headed in our direction.  The antennas went up in record breaking time and Paula and I manned the facility during said event.  At that time the basic foundations of the HEART Program were developed.  There were stations at CHKD, Sentara Bayside and Sentara Virginia Beach General. 

 

In 2014 Paula and I were asked if our program would assist EVHC with communications involving healthcare facilities.  Funds were obtained in March 2015 and healthcare facilities were brought online to include the Yeasu FT8800 radio, power
supply and antenna.  Repeaters were placed in strategic areas.  Paula and I have spent many hours perfecting the HEART Program, working on manuals, maintaining systems and equipment, going from linking repeaters to digital messages to WiresX, to developing one of the most respected healthcare amateur radio systems in the country.  This could not have been accomplished without the support of all HEART Team members and our supporting healthcare facilities. 

 

The first meeting of prospective HEART Team members was on July 8, 2015.  The basic concept used in 2003 was the foundation for the orientation and training of HEART Team members.  HEART has the best of the best and is a true team concept.  It has been an honor and a pleasure to lead this group of dedicated and passionate volunteers for five years and I look forward to the future of HEART.