When Max Richardson collapsed while preparing to introduce a new judge at the Gwinnett County Justice Center, he had no idea how close he was to losing his life.
On July 2, 2025, first responders rushed Max to Northside Hospital Gwinnett after he suffered a massive heart attack.
Moments before approaching the podium, he began seeing stars and lost consciousness. When he opened his eyes in the emergency department, his family and colleagues were standing nearby, tearful and silent.
“I truly felt like I was knocking on death’s door,” Max said. “I thought it was my time.”
Medical teams worked quickly to stabilize him. He later learned his heart had to be defibrillated six times to keep it beating. Dr. J. Alan Wolfe, one of his physicians, told him that if he had arrived at the hospital just 10 minutes later, he would not have survived.
The coordinated response of first responders and emergency personnel at the Justice Center played a critical role. “They moved like a well-trained machine,” he said.
The timing and location of the heart attack proved lifesaving. He had planned to spend the Fourth of July week at his family’s lake home on Lake Oconee, but stayed in Atlanta an extra day to attend the court event.
“If this had happened at the lake, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “That was another blessing.”
He credits his survival to the care he received from his physicians, including Dr. Manfred Sandler, and the dedicated teams at Northside Hospital Gwinnett.
“The nurses and staff carried me over the goal line,” he said. “I may not have liked being woken up multiple times a night, but I know they were the reason I made it.”
Max says that recovery was demanding. Cardiac rehabilitation began just weeks after his discharge and even simple walking initially caused dizziness and pain. Sneezing and coughing brought intense chest discomfort.
“The rehab was harder than any three-a-day football practice I ever had,” he said.
With guidance and encouragement from the Northside cardiac rehabilitation team, he gradually rebuilt his strength. Today, he is walking, light jogging, swimming and lifting weights.
“I’m about 90% recovered,” he said. “I’ll take 90% over 0% any day.”
Max has a family history of heart disease on his father’s side and now manages his condition with medication and blood thinners.
Support from his community has been overwhelming, he said, offering a renewed appreciation for the people surrounding his family.
At home, he credits his wife and children with helping him through recovery. His wife was by his side throughout the experience, while his oldest daughter, a physician, provided constant medical guidance. His son maintains the family law practice after recently passing the bar exam, and his middle daughter manages the office.
“I couldn’t be more blessed,” he said.
Since the heart attack, he has embraced a slower pace of life — spending less time at work and more time resting at home with his wife.
“My heart approves,” he said.
Every time he drives past Northside Hospital, he offers a quiet prayer of gratitude.
“I’m alive because of the people who were in the right place at the right time,” he said.
He extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Manfred Sandler, Dr. J. Alan Wolfe, first responders Michael Nerroth, Devin Smith, Alex Armstrong, Phillip Franklin and Kenny Wilson, the Northside Hospital ICU team, Northside Cardio Rehab staff — and, he said, above all, his faith.
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*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
