After suffering from a cardiac episode less than two weeks ago, Pasadena Mayor Thomas Schoenbein is back at work.
Welcoming Back the Mayor
Mayor Schoenbein was warmly welcomed back at Pasadena City Hall on Friday, where he was joined by several first responders who helped save his life just a week and a half ago.
A Heroic Response from First Responders
Among those who greeted the mayor were Memorial Hermann Life Flight Nurses Michelle Bourgeois and Destiny Young, as well as members of the Acadian EMS Pasadena team. These crews were part of the team who responded to Pasadena City Hall on August 4, when Schoenbein suffered a cardiac arrest.
The Incident at City Hall
The medical episode occurred during a meeting in the office of Chief of Staff James Holt, a former police officer. The mayor recalled losing consciousness while seated at a table and later learned that Holt and others had quickly called 9-1-1 and initiated CPR.
An additional Pasadena police officer, who heard the call over the radio, responded swiftly and climbed six flights of stairs to assist with treatment.
Quick Medical Response and Life-saving Care
Acadian EMS and Memorial Hermann Life Flight responded promptly, transporting the mayor to Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. There, he was stabilized and, a few days later, had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in his chest.
Doctors have since cleared him to return to work.
Grateful for the Support
Schoenbein expressed immense gratitude for the life-saving care he received, tearfully acknowledging the medical team’s efforts. “Doctors basically said that I was one in a million. I was a miracle,” he shared, adding that he owes his survival to both God and the people around him.
A Look Ahead to Family Celebrations
Now, with his health on the mend, Schoenbein is excited to celebrate his 41st wedding anniversary with his wife, Bonnie, in October. The couple has two children and three grandchildren, and he looks forward to spending quality time with his family while continuing his duties as mayor.
