Ann Arbor, MI — October 22, 2011 — Dr. Marvin Sonne, who saved the life of a Bay City, Michigan man during the Michigan-Notre Dame football game at the Big House last month, was honored today by the American Heart Association during its gala in Ann Arbor.  Sonne received the Lifesaver Award as did a nursing supervisor at the Bay Regional Medical Center who was in the stands, Jan Tardiff.

Recalling what happened, Sonne, who received his dental degree from the U-M School of Dentistry in 1973, said, "It happened so quickly that I just reacted and did what needed to be done to save the man's life."  The man, Leo Staudacher, 69, was among the 114,808 fans who were in the Big House. 

Sonne said it was a twist of fate that he sat where he did.  "I used to sit in Section 18," he said, "but this year I changed seats and was in Section 6, Row 59," he said.  During the game, Sonne and his 29-year-old son, Jeff, said they heard fans several rows behind them rooting for Notre Dame and cheering loudly when the Fighting Irish made a big play.  "They were razzing Michigan fans and saying how Notre Dame was going to beat Michigan by 40 or 50 points.  Then, all of a sudden, the guy fell forward onto my son and me," Sonne said.  Staudacher was among the fans rooting for Notre Dame.

"It Didn't Look Good"

When Staudacher collapsed during the second quarter, "he had no pulse, was clammy, his skin was cold, and his eyes were rolling backward.  It didn't look good," Sonne said.  "I didn't really think about it, I just knew what had to be done.  I immediately gave him rescue breaths and chest compressions."  Ushers at the stadium were summoned.  They, in turn, called a medical crew who used a portable defibrillator to restore Staudacher's heart to its normal rhythm.

It was only the second time in Sonne's career that he used CPR.  "It was ironic this happened when it did  because I and others in my office were CPR re-certified just recently by the Trenton Fire Department," he said.  Sonne's dental office is in Trenton.

"I talked to Leo yesterday, and we plan to meet, although I'm not yet sure of a date, time, or location," Sonne said.  "Looking back, this incident shows that human life is much more important than a football game.  I was glad my son and I were in the right place at the right time to help and that others from the University of Michigan were able to help."

In addition to being extensively involved in organized dentistry at national, state, and local levels, Sonne is also a member of the Russell W. Bunting Periodontal Society and the Francis B. Vedder Crown and Bridge Prosthodontic Society at the School of Dentistry.