Newsmakers 2015: Debbie Leoni

Debbie Leoni's job title is director of cardiovascular outreach services at SoutheastHEALTH, but reaching out is something she does on and off the job.

At Southeast, Leoni directs the telemedicine program, coordinates health screenings and leads community education courses, such as in smoking cessation and hands-only CPR.

"I love that I'm able to get out in the community and have a significant impact on the health of the community," she says.

She's especially passionate about teaching CPR, including to children. If you teach this skill to kids when they're young, she says, it will become part of their life -- and might save a life someday.

"I don't like the idea of people standing around not knowing what to do. There are things you can do, and standing around is not one of them," she says. "If you respond quickly and keep the blood circulating, the potential for a good outcome is a hundred times better because (the victim is) not losing oxygen to the brain or heart for as long a period of time."

Darren Burgfeld (Glenn Landberg)

Outside the hospital, Leoni is active in the Cape Girardeau Road Runners and Run for God, and started the state's first and only My Team Triumph chapter in 2013. The team pairs "captains," or people with disabilities, with "angels," or able-bodied runners who race with them, ultimately escorting them across the finish line. In its first year, My Team Triumph participated in more than 20 events, including two triathlons, a half marathon and many 5Ks and 10Ks.

"We've never had a race where we didn't have enough angels," Leoni says. She adds that her favorite part of My Team Triumph events is seeing athletes give up their own moment of glory to help another person cross the finish line who wouldn't have been able to do it on their own.

As a Christian, Leoni says she's "been blessed left, right and backwards," and her faith motivates her every day.

"You can be busy, and that's great, but to be busy with a purpose is even better," she says. "I told my kids from day one, God has given you a lot, so you'd better use it."