CINCINNATI (February 17, 2026) – The Christ Hospital Health Network, in partnership with Mercy Health, Batavia Rotary, Williamsburg Rotary, Cintas, Zoll Corporation, East Fork Kiwanis Club, Goshen Lions Club, Goshen Citizens Policy Academy Alumni Association and additional community foundation partners, delivered 38 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to law enforcement agencies in Clermont County. In total, $74,100 was raised as part of Phase V of Project Heart ReStart.
Speakers at Tuesday's event included Debbie Hayes, President & CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network, Tim Prestridge, President of Mercy Health—Clermont, Rotary Members and law enforcement officers in Clermont County.
Project Heart ReStart began supplying AEDs in law enforcement vehicles in 2023 shortly after the Damar Hamlin cardiac arrest in Cincinnati. In Phase I of Project Heart ReStart, the committee, along with Rotary Club of Cincinnati, Zoll, Cintas, Hamilton County Commissioners, all Cincinnati-based hospital systems and community donors, raised $260,000 to purchase 130 AEDs for all deputy cruisers for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Through five phases of Project Heart ReStart, the committee has raised more than $1 million to purchase more than 500 AEDs in Hamilton & Clermont counties in Ohio, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Pendleton, Grant, Mason, Robertson and Gallatin counties in Kentucky with the addition of Ripley and Franklin counties in Indiana. Having an AED for our first responders on the scene of a cardiac event increases the survival rate from 10% to 40%.
About The Christ Hospital Health Network
The Christ Hospital Health Network consists of an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of medical offices throughout the region. For 137 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves. Made up of more than 1,300 physicians and 7,200 team members, our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional outcomes in an affordable way. The Network was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 hospital in the Cincinnati Region and named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2025.