Heart of Michael Foundation: Saving Young Hearts
Doug and Kristin Utley visited to introduce the Heart of Michael Foundation. It is a free youth cardiac screening program, started after losing their own son in 2015 to an undetected heart condition. Modeled on the University of Iowa's Project Adam, the program brings free heart screenings directly into high school gyms — no doctor's referral or insurance required. Students receive an EKG, echocardiogram, blood pressure checks, and an on-site consultation with a volunteer cardiologist, with results and next steps provided the same day. CPR and AED training is also offered on site for parents and students waiting to be screened.
This is an important undertaking. Eight to ten percent of screened youth need follow-up cardiac care. An average of 2,000 young people ages 13-24 die of sudden cardiac arrest. Their first screening will be held on April 10, 2027 in the Fort Dodge Sinior High School gymnasium. This date was selected because screening equipment will be available from another organization, much like the Heart of Michael Foundation, based in Minnesota. However, the Heart of Michael Foundation is accepting donations in order to fund their own equipment. Support can help provide:
Echocardiogram units: $16,000 each
EKG units: $4,000 each
Blood pressure units: $50 each
Exam tables: $400 each
CPR mannequins: $210 each
If you would like to contribute, you can reach out to the Fort Dodge Community Foundation.