Ronkonkoma Middle School recently hosted a free Teen Cardiac Screening program titled “Beats for Liam,” in honor of Liam Regensburg, a Connetquot High School junior who passed away suddenly from sudden cardiac arrest in October 2012.

During the event, registered nurses, members of the Lakeland Fire Department, community volunteers and cardiologists Dr. Bench and Dr. Varma were on hand to assess 48 attending students’ blood pressure and heart rate. They also analyzed their family history and performed EKG tests, a highly informative screening test that is not a normal part of a teenager’s annual well-child exam.

The event was coordinated by Liam’s mother and other local families in order to help prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the community again.