Beverly Crossen
North Mississippi Medical Center
Tupelo, Mississippi

Beverly “Bev” Crossen believes that little things make a difference, and everyone can help. So when 11-year-old Lee Weston Reed died on a Tupelo soccer field of sudden cardiac death in 2007, Bev decided to help make Tupelo a better educated place, where if such a tragedy happened again, the community would be better prepared. On a mission to teach others how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED), Bev helped launch the first Weston Reed Cardiovascular Conference, only three months after the tragedy, as a way to remember Weston and to provide the education and the tools needed to save lives. Now in its third year, the conference raises not only heart-health awareness, but funds to purchase AEDs for public venues, and also provides local Heartsaver CPR & AED training. Bev also spearheaded efforts to place AEDs in local area schools, churches, soccer fields, and even police cars, and assumed responsibility for getting individuals in these locations trained to use them. Bev passionately believes that by teaching area residents these lifesaving skills and making lifesaving AEDs readily available, she is making a difference in their lives, and their future.