May 21, 2022

Lee’s Summit Medical Center this week recognized the fast actions of Summit Christian Academy teammates, coaches, Lee’s Summit Fire Department and others whose immediate and collaborative efforts helped save 17-year-old Xavier King’s life during soccer practice last July.

King was immediately brought to Lee’s Summit Medical Center on July 22, 2021. He spent a short amount of time in the hospital and returned to high school, where he will graduate this week from Summit Christian Academy.

“A Great Save allows us to acknowledge remarkable efforts made each day in providing immediate pre-hospital care to patients like Xavier King when minutes matter,” says Lee’s Summit Medical Center Chief Executive Officer John McDonald, FACHE. “This Great Save is particularly poignant and significant, as it is the week of Xavier’s high school graduation—an event that he would not be celebrating had it not been for the patient’s teammates, coaches, first responders and hospital caregivers’ quick action.

“This Great Save is a powerful example of how heroic actions of bystanders, first responders and our emergency and physicians, nurses and staff can help save a life. Our community and caregivers came together, and it is an honor to publicly recognize this entire team for their efforts.”

In addition to the ceremony, Lee’s Summit Medical Center provided a Hands-Only CPR demonstration to those in attendance at Lee’s Summit City Hall.