Off-duty physician’s actions highlight the lifesaving importance of CPR

What started as a routine afternoon quickly turned into a life-or-death moment - one that would ultimately underscore the lifesaving importance of CPR when every second counts.

Forrest Jellison, MD, a urologist at Loma Linda University Health, had just arrived to pick up his boys from a soccer game at a local Yucaipa park the Sunday after Thanksgiving when he noticed a group of people gathered at the top of a nearby hill.

As he approached, the situation became clear. "When I got up to the top of the field, the boys said, 'they're doing CPR,'" Jellison said.

A man had collapsed and was unresponsive. Bystanders had already begun CPR in those first moments. A few minutes later, Jellison arrived and took over chest compressions, continuing the lifesaving effort.

A race against time

By the time Jellison arrived, CPR had already been underway for nearly 10 minutes. He continued chest compressions for approximately 30 more minutes as others called 911 and relayed information to dispatchers.

Shortly after, a San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy arrived alongside a CAL FIRE basic life support engine. The deputy continued CPR while fire personnel prepared additional lifesaving equipment.

Due to the remote location and initial response challenges, more than an hour passed before a pulse was restored. Medical personnel worked to stabilize the patient before transported to a local hospital for advanced care.

"If we wouldn't have done CPR, he would have passed away," Jellison said.

Recognized for lifesaving efforts

In recognition of their coordinated response, Jellison and the responding deputy were honored with the Life Saving Award at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Exceptional Service Awards, held on April 9, 2026. They were recognized for their quick, decisive actions in providing aid during the critical first minutes of cardiac arrest-efforts that directly contributed to the patient's survival.

Despite the recognition, Dr. Jellison was quick to credit the broader team. "We just got it started. They took it to the finish line," he said, referring to the first responders and hospital teams who continued care.

Why CPR matters

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that helps maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain and vital organs during cardiac arrest. In the first few minutes after the heart stops, immediate chest compressions can significantly increase the chances of survival - especially before emergency responders arrive.

For Jellison, the experience reinforced just how critical those early moments are. "The key thing is acting," he said, noting that bystanders had already begun CPR before he arrived, helping sustain the individual in those early minutes.

Prepared to act

Although CPR is not a routine part of Jellison's urology practice, his training prepared him to respond without hesitation. "The last time I'd done CPR in the hospital was as a resident, probably about 20 years ago," he said.

Through ongoing certification in basic life support (BLS), physicians at Loma Linda University Health regularly revisit and reinforce these lifesaving skills - training that proved critical in this real-world moment. Even after years without performing CPR in a clinical setting, the fundamentals remained.

"There was a need, and I did something that anybody else would do," Jellison said.

His experience highlights an important takeaway: preparation builds confidence, and confidence leads to action. In a cardiac emergency, properly performed chest compressions in those first critical minutes can sustain a life until emergency responders arrive.

"You're going to do what you can do to help," he said - an approach that, in this case, made all the difference.