July 18, 2025
"York Hospital Gave Me Back My Life"
“I was technically ‘dead’ for 42 minutes and 30 seconds. The doctor who took care of me that night didn’t give up on me, and my family and I remain grateful to this day,” said Rick Nohmer, a York Hospital patient who survived a near-fatal cardiac emergency in October 2021.
Nohmer, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a commissioned infantry officer, is no stranger to adversity. He has completed both the U.S. Army Airborne and U.S. Ranger Schools, survived a life-threatening injury at age 22, served in remote combat zones, and later worked around the globe as a contractor overseeing critical Department of Defense operations. But none of those experiences prepared him for the battle he would face right here at home.
After returning from an exhausting trip through the Middle East, Nohmer collapsed while carrying his 100-pound Black Lab, Remington — who was recovering from knee surgery — up the stairs.
“At first, I thought I had pulled a muscle in my chest. Then, a bead of sweat rolled down my forehead, and I had a chilling realization: This is my heart. Time was of the essence, and the clock was ticking,” said Nohmer.
Thankfully, his wife, Kristen, and daughter rushed him to York Hospital, where the emergency department team refused to give up.
“They ended up shocking me 16 times, performing relentless rounds of chest compressions to keep my blood flowing, and finally sent me to the cardiac catheterization laboratory where a stent was inserted into my heart to clear the blockage that had stopped me cold,” said Nohmer. “Thanks to the incredible expertise of Dr. Sadie Carter and cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey Colnes, I was brought back to life.”
In the months following the incident, Nohmer worked closely with York Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation team to rebuild his strength and endurance, step by step.
“This near-death experience strengthened my perspective about the power of family and fate,” Nohmer said. “It made me realize how fragile life is and how vital it is to have access to top-notch cardiac care right here in our community.”
Now, Nohmer is lending his voice to York Hospital’s Leading with Heart Cardiac Campaign, encouraging others to support the hospital that saved his life.
“Your donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference,” he said. “Together, we can make sure that the next person who walks through York Hospital’s doors experiencing a cardiac emergency will also have a fighting chance,” said Nohmer.