Cardiac emergency team reunites with patient

Article and photos by Madeline Dorobiala

A Niagara County patient reunited Friday with the first responders who helped save her life.

In honor of EMS Week, American Medical Response’s Niagara Falls base hosted a reunion between Aisha Ryland and the providers who came to her assistance during her cardiac arrest.

Ryland explained what happened in June 2025. Before losing consciousness, she felt out of sorts and knew she needed help. Ryland called her children and her mother. Her cousin was also contacted because of her nursing expertise.

“When we got there, she was clinically dead,” said Garry Bluhm, first responder. “Did good-quality CPR. I did my advanced lifesaving, and we brought her back.”

At the reunion, those who contributed to Ryland’s recovery received a rose, a challenge coin, and a certificate. The providers included her cardiologist, Dr Nolan Machernis; and dispatcher Marilyn Clark, to name a few.

With their help, Ryland was able to receive life-saving assistance at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Paramedic Nikolas Mofardin shakes hands with dispatcher Marilyn Clark.

First responder Garry Bluhm receives a certificate.

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Ryland expressed an immense amount of gratitude for those who have helped her during the vulnerable experience.

“It truly was a miracle,” Ryland said. “The event that happened to me and my survival is truly a miracle from God, and I feel like my caretakers, from the EMTs, all the way to the CNAs at the hospital, are angels in disguise.”

Ryland also spoke to the media about the importance of people knowing CPR training.

“You really cannot understand the magnitude until you’re in that situation and you’re called upon to react,” Ryland said. “And I just want to thank the Lord above, as well as the medical personnel, that my children and my family were versed in that knowledge to know, to activate the emergency response team early, and that they listened and knew what to do.”

Improving outcomes together was the theme for EMS week. There are AMR traditions, such as the “Tomorrow Wall,” that honor the providers and the cardiac arrest survivors they helped. Reunions between providers and patients rarely take place.

Machernis explained he was on call during the time of Ryland’s condition. He thanked the providers involved and his own cardiology team for their work and assistance.

“I think this really highlights the chain of care from out of the hospital, getting patients to the hospital quickly, to the first available PCI-capable facility,” Machernis said. “As Mr. (Joseph) Ruffolo (NFMMC president and CEO) said, we’re the only cardio cath lab in Niagara County 24/7 365. I know this because I did the majority of the call.”

This was AMR Niagara Falls’ 52nd annual EMS week, which honors the providers who have assisted the community. Ryland’s reunion focused on the importance of cardiac and coordinated care, not just to the medical community.