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WHEREAS, one year ago tomorrow KDKA-TV news anchor Susan Koeppen suffered a heart attack while jogging with friends on Negley Avenue in Shadyside; and
WHEREAS, the story of Susan's rescue and recovery is a testament to the kindness and generosity of the people of Pittsburgh and the incredible determination and talents of our first-responders and medical personnel; and
WHEREAS, immediately after it was clear that Susan was experiencing a medical emergency, her friends Gabey Gosman and Beth Sutton flagged down a passing car - which, incredibly, happened to be occupied by two third-year University of Pittsburgh medical students, Vanessa Franco and Ranmal Samarasinghe, who took Susan's pulse and initiated CPR; and
WHEREAS, shortly afterwards Lieutenant Daniel Elias and his crew from Engine 8 of the Third Battalion in East Liberty arrived on the scene and began an intensive effort to resuscitate Susan; and
WHEREAS, Susan was rushed to Shadyside Hospital, where her husband, James O'Toole, who happens to be a cardiologist, was waiting for her, and doctors began taking extreme measures to save her life and prevent the brain damage that can occur when a cardiac episode lasts as long as Susan's had; and
WHEREAS, after a harrowing 24 hours of uncertainty, Susan pulled through, woke up, and has been back to work at KDKA-TV since January of 2012.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the citizens, public safety officials, and medical professionals who saved Susan Koeppen's life and who make extraordinary sacrifices every single day to keep Pittsburghers safe; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare November 20, 2012 "Susan Koeppen Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.