2026 B.E. F.A.S.T. Hero:
Nasheel Joules
“I am so honored to be chosen for this award. Although I have handled many emergency situations as a physician, all of that knowledge seemed to fade when my husband began having difficulty speaking. In that moment, the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym came to mind and helped me assess the situation, giving me the clarity to call 911.” – Nasheel Joules
By acting immediately on B.E. F.A.S.T. medical guidance to recognize stroke symptoms — Balance loss, Eyes (vision) changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911 — Nasheel Joules saved her husband’s life. Nasheel, a heart disease survivor herself, and her husband, Mark, are passionate community advocates who raise funds for the American Heart Association through their annual Christmas light display at their home in McKinney, Texas. They also work with local officials to ensure calls about medical emergencies like strokes get help within four minutes.
Nasheel, a longtime American Heart Association supporter, immediately knew something was wrong in November 2025 when Mark started mispronouncing some words and couldn’t repeat a sentence correctly when asked. In a powerful example of the lifesaving B.E. F.A.S.T. steps, Nasheel immediately called 911. Hospital doctors diagnosed Mark’s episode as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), which is a critical warning sign of a potential stroke.
Together, Nasheel and Mark pour their energy into advocating for heart health. Every holiday season, their festive holiday light display transforms their home into a yuletide joy while visitors make donations. Over the past 3 years, the lights raised more than $20,000 for the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission. In 2025, they partnered with the McKinney Fire Department to promote the Neighborhood Heroes initiative, which aims to speed responses to major medical emergencies. By promoting community awareness, Nasheel and Mark help people understand how even seconds can determine life or death when someone has a heart attack or stroke.
Nasheel not only saved her husband’s life, but she educated others on responding to cardiovascular emergencies, potentially saving more lives.
