In the spring of 2024, Maryland passed a groundbreaking law known as the Bailey Bullock Act.
This legislation, signed by Governor Wes Moore, mandates that all schools—public and private—implement cardiac emergency response programs. These programs include the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), regular CPR training, and emergency response drills.
This represented a monumental public health improvement for Maryland students, but for Patrice Bullock, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, this achievement was a deeply personal one.
Her son, Bailey, was a vibrant and ambitious young athlete at John Carroll School in Bel Air, Maryland. A natural talent, he excelled in basketball, football, and track, with dreams of going pro. Patrice recalls Bailey’s drive and determination with pride. “He wanted to play professional sports, and I have no doubt he would have achieved his dreams if his life hadn’t been cut short.”
Bailey tragically passed away after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest following a track and field event on May 12, 2021. He was only 16.
It was a moment that changed Patrice’s life forever.
Bailey was diagnosed early in life with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome, a condition where an extra electrical pathway in the heart triggers rapid heartbeats, which can cause symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, and fainting.
She recalls that due to a lack of care and necessary resources, her son “didn’t receive CPR for over eight minutes…That’s just unacceptable.”
Turning Grief Into Action
In the aftermath of Bailey’s passing, Patrice channeled her pain into purpose. She founded Bailey’s Heart and Soul Foundation with a clear mission: to raise awareness about heart health and equip communities to respond effectively to sudden cardiac emergencies. “The foundation focuses on screening for cardiac risk factors that could potentially lead to sudden cardiac arrest, such as cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic conditions.”
She emphasizes the importance of immediate action during cardiac emergencies, and being prepared for the worst in any foreseeable situation. “We provide training on CPR, how to use an AED, and we also stress the importance of the response time factor when someone collapses. Treat every collapse as a cardiac emergency and start CPR right away. CPR can double and sometimes triple the chances of survival in sudden cardiac arrests.”
One of the foundation’s core missions is to educate parents about monitoring their children’s heart health, particularly those involved in sports. “Parents need to ensure their kids are getting comprehensive physicals, especially if there’s a family history of cardiac issues,” Patrice advises.
She also highlights the critical role of coaches in safeguarding young athletes. Parents should ask essential questions: “Are the coaches CPR-certified? Do they have an AED on hand? Do they know the steps in responding to a cardiac emergency?”
Patrice urges parents to teach their children to advocate for their own health, and for teachers and coaches to be more receptive as children may not know exactly how to articulate how they’re feeling. “If a child says, ‘I don’t want to participate in sports today,’ it might not be laziness—it could be a health concern. Coaches need to listen to these signs and communicate with parents to ensure timely follow-up.”
How The Bailey Bullock Act Represents a New Era of Preparedness
The American Heart Association’s 2022 report revealed that cardiac arrest is a major public health crisis, with over 356,000 out-of-hospital cases annually in the U.S., nearly 90 percent of which are fatal.
The passage of the Bailey Bullock Act marked a major milestone in Patrice’s advocacy journey. “As a community, how do we respond to emergencies? Are we prepared? This act helps ensure we are,” she explained. “The act requires schools to have cardiac emergency response programs, conduct drills, and review their effectiveness afterward.” These measures ensure that schools are better prepared to handle emergencies, providing a layer of protection for Maryland students.
Sen. Ben Brooks of Baltimore County and Del. Jessica Feldmark of Howard County sponsored the legislation, which was approved unanimously by both chambers of the General Assembly.
Beyond legislative changes, Bailey’s Heart and Soul Foundation encourages community involvement. Patrice advocates for participation in cardiac screenings, CPR and AED marathons, and certification programs. “Knowing the survival chain can save a life,” she said.
The chain of survival outlines crucial steps to improve cardiac arrest outcomes: recognize the emergency, call for help, perform CPR, use an AED, and provide advanced and post-cardiac arrest care.
Prompt action can be vital, as survival chances drop with every minute of delay, and anyone can help, even without medical training. She also reminds the public of the Good Samaritan Act, which protects individuals who step in to help during emergencies. “It’s better to start CPR than not to start at all. The brain only has about four minutes before irreversible damage occurs, so responding timely can make all the difference.”
Contributing to the Broader Conversation on Heart Health
While her foundation focuses on young athletes, Patrice is quick to point out that heart health is a universal concern. “Heart issues not only impact adolescents and young athletes but also older adults and minority communities, who are at higher risk for heart attacks, high blood pressure, and other cardiac-related diseases.”
She urges people of all ages to be proactive about their heart health. “Stay active, follow the DASH diet, limit nicotine intake, and prioritize regular screenings,” she advises. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet promotes heart health by emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
Bailey Bullock would have been 20 years old today at time of writing, and his mother’s work ensures that his legacy lives on—not just in the hearts of those who knew him, but in the lives that her advocacy is saving.
Bailey’s Heart and Soul Foundation stands as a beacon of hope, reminding communities that preparation, education, and swift action can make all the difference. To learn more about Bailey’s Heart and Soul Foundation and how you can get involved, visit their website.
