Some moments in life remind us how fragile yet resilient the human spirit can be.
Nearly a year after a sudden cardiac arrest, Jason Moore is reclaiming the life doctors once feared he might never have again. His journey from collapse to recovery is more than a medical story. It’s about perseverance, community and hope.
On this episode of Straight from the Source, FMOL Health’s new podcast, we explore Jason’s remarkable path to independence, the people who rallied around him and the small victories that mark each step forward. It’s a story of courage, care and the power of never giving up.
Nine Minutes That Changed Everything
Nearly a year after his heart attack, Jason Moore is doing things doctors once weren’t sure he would ever be able to do again. He’s walking, laughing and easing back into everyday life, milestones that felt impossible on the night his heart suddenly stopped.
That day began like countless others. Jason reported for his night shift as a security guard at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, a job he approached with pride and consistency. But during the shift, something felt wrong. He texted his longtime friend and co-worker, Mark McKee, saying he wasn’t feeling well and was going to sit down in the office.
About an hour later, Mark went to check on him.
“I saw two feet sticking out from behind the counter,” Mark recalls. “He was purple. I checked for a pulse — nothing. I called a code blue and started CPR right there. I just kept thinking, ‘You’re not going out like this. Not today.’”
Jason had suffered a cardiac arrest. His heart had stopped beating for roughly nine minutes before help arrived. Nurses and physicians rushed in, continuing life-saving efforts and transporting him to the Emergency Department. Through chest compressions and the use of a defibrillator, the team was able to restore a pulse and move him to intensive care.
“All we had was a pulse and a prayer,” Mark says. “And I thought we can work with that.”
A Family in Crisis
At home, Jason’s wife, Sabrina, was starting her morning with their two children when her phone rang.
“Mark called me and said I needed to get to the hospital,” she says. “When I asked what was wrong, he told me they found Jason and that he had no pulse. My heart just dropped. I didn’t know if I’d ever see him alive again.”
The drive felt endless. By the time she arrived, Jason had been stabilized but was on life support.
“Seeing him lying there with tubes everywhere, it didn’t even look like him,” Sabrina says. “The nurses kept telling me they were doing everything they could, but all I could think was, what if I have to tell my kids their dad isn’t coming home?”
For days, Sabrina rarely left the hospital. She lived in a state of constant uncertainty, supported by staff who made sure she had food, blankets and reassurance while they cared for Jason.
More Than a Workplace
For Jason, in addition to his workplace, Our Lady of the Lake became a community that rallied around him. Word of his collapse spread quickly, and support poured in from across the hospital.
“When Jason went down, it felt like the whole hospital stopped,” Mark says. “People from every department were checking in, asking how he was doing. It wasn’t just another patient to them. He was family.”
Sabrina felt that same compassion from the beginning. Nurses stayed with Jason, encouraging movement and responsiveness even in the earliest days. Their persistence brought moments of hope during an otherwise terrifying time.
“They didn’t give up on him, and neither did anyone else here,” she says.
Relearning the Basics
Once Jason was stable, he was transferred to inpatient rehabilitation under the care of Martin Setliff, MD, and his team. At that point, survival was no longer the only goal — recovery was.
“When Jason arrived, he couldn’t walk, feed himself or even sit on the edge of the bed without support,” Dr. Setliff says. “He had all his old memories, but he couldn’t create new ones. Each day was like starting over.”
Rehabilitation moved slowly, marked by small but meaningful progress. Jason relearned basic skills, rebuilt strength and worked to reconnect his mind and body.
“I always tell patients, I don’t need you to be perfect tomorrow,” Dr. Setliff explains. “I just need you to be a little better each day.”
Sabrina attended every therapy session, celebrating each milestone. The first time Jason fed himself again, she cried — a simple act that showed her he was truly coming back.
Over time, Jason began walking again. His memory improved. His personality returned.
Two months after collapsing at work, Jason walked out of Our Lady of the Lake to applause from the people who helped save his life.
“When I saw him walk out of this hospital, it was truly a miracle,” Sabrina says.
Mark, Jason’s co-worker and friend who saved him that first morning, stood proudly among the crowd.
“It makes me understand why we do what we do,” he says. “Here, the end result is people going home to their families. Watching Jason walk out alive … that’s why we’re here.”
Life at Home, One Step at a Time
Months later, Jason’s recovery continues at home, and the progress is tangible. Jason is following Dr. Setliff’s words and making small, steady improvements every day.
“He’s doing really good,” Sabrina says. “He’s getting more where he can do things on his own, of course with help and supervision, but he’s getting a little more independent.”
Jason can now shower by himself, get dressed, shave and prepare simple meals. He fixes his own breakfast and grabs snacks when he wants them. These everyday tasks mark major milestones.
“I don’t have to do as much for him now,” Sabrina explains. “I still have to be here watching, but he’s getting where he can do things himself. He ties his shoes. He helps in the kitchen.”
Therapy remains an important part of Jason’s routine. After transitioning to a neuro-focused rehabilitation program, Sabrina noticed meaningful gains, particularly in areas requiring more intensive support. Jason continues working on speech, occupational therapy and cognitive skills, especially short-term memory.
“His long-term memory is pretty good,” Sabrina says. “It’s the short-term memory that we’re working on.”
Despite those challenges, Jason stays active. He helps with yard work, walks without assistive equipment and no longer relies on a wheelchair or shower chair. He enjoys routines and staying connected to people.
Looking Ahead With Gratitude and Hope
Jason also makes regular visits back to the hospital, something that has become both therapy and motivation. Seeing familiar faces lifts his spirits and reinforces his goal of returning to work one day.
“He enjoys going up there and seeing them,” Sabrina says. “He looks forward to it.”
Doctors encourage these visits as part of staying mentally and socially engaged. For Jason, the hospital remains a place of purpose and connection.
At home, his outlook continues to evolve. He talks about work, his schedule and his focus on improving. He has also found new interests, including a newfound commitment to church and, much to Sabrina’s amusement, an unexpected love of sweets.
Looking back, Sabrina remains grateful for the care Jason received and the support that continues long after discharge.
“He’s improved a lot,” she says. “From where he was when we left the hospital to now, it’s been incredible.”
