Shortage of doctors postpones Play for Patrick youth heart screenings

Free heart screening clinics for children and teenagers at two Twin Cities high schools have been postponed due to a shortage in available doctors. The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation posted a notice on Thursday night that the Oct. 29 clinic at Eastview High School and the Nov. 19 clinic and White Bear Lake High School have been postponed.

The foundation’s medical director stepped down last spring and they have been unable to secure enough relationships with cardiologists to cover the screenings. Screening events planned for January and March in Eagan, Maple Grove and Stillwater are still scheduled.

Last October, a Play for Patrick youth heart screening event help diagnose a Rosemount High School student with a potentially life-threatening condition. Kyli Penner underwent surgery and has returned to her active lifestyle as a member of the dance team.

On Nov. 14, 2014, 14-year-old Patrick Schoonover collapsed and died during a game in Brainerd, Minn. Patrick’s sudden death during the hockey game came from two undetected heart defects. The tragedy gave birth to Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation, which organizes free youth heart screenings that include an EKG and an echocardiogram. The screenings aren't a catch all, but part of an effort to catch more.

Message from Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation

Dear Play for Patrick supporters:

We are sorry to announce that we are postponing the Eastview HS (10/29) and White Bear Lake HS (11/19) screens.

Our Medical director stepped down last spring and we've yet to make enough connections with cardiologists to support our screens.

We will continue to reach out, build relationships and collaborate with medical professionals and leadership so we can continue to provide free youth heart screens in the communities they serve. With the support of the community hospitals for Eagan, Stillwater and Maple Grove, we hope the screens will go on as planned in January and March.

We do not have alternate dates for Mounds View, Eastview or White Bear Lake.

We are sorry that we cannot provide these events as planned. We appreciate your support and look forward to getting through these rough spots.