On Tuesday, when we were in the Lucas building, we heard a commotion across the street. We immediately crossed and encountered a woman frantically screaming for help. On reaching her, we found a man collapsed on the ground.

Upon assessment, it was clear this man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. I started chest compressions, seeing my anxiety, Christian positioned themself beside me and helped me ground myself in the moment. He calmly reassured me that what I was doing was right, letting me know that when I was ready to switch out, he was ready to take over.

Knowing this calm, experienced nurse was by my side, supporting me, gave me the confidence to continue. Christian has extensive experience responding to different codes in the hospital setting, but this situation was entirely different; we were on a sidewalk without a crash cart or any hospital resources. Despite these challenges, he did not hesitate; they immediately took over the compressions when needed, prepared the AED, opened the individual’s airway calmly and systematically, doing everything possible to give this person the best chance of survival.

His quick thinking and decisive action significantly increased this individual’s chance of survival. What stood out the most was Christian's ability to remain focused and calm under immense pressure. His actions reflected not only their years of clinical experience but also their passion for nursing and education. Throughout the event, their guidance and reassurance exemplified the qualities of an exceptional nurse and teacher.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a great nurse and role model working here with us at PIH Health