From the left stand Joseph Giaccio from Cranford, Nicholas Garguilo from Smithtown, New York, and Shannen Moore from Long Beach, NY, who recently utilized their life-saving expertise to assist in saving a man’s life.
In Hempstead, New York, Joseph Giaccio from Cranford, Nicholas Garguilo from Smithtown, NY, and Shannen Moore from Long Beach, NY, who are all graduate students enrolled in the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Hofstra University, decided to put their life-saving abilities to the test during a break between classes.
While on their way to a coffee shop, the students opted to take a detour down a residential street where they noticed an adorable dog. To their surprise, they spotted a man lying motionless on the sidewalk next to the dog.
“Our instincts immediately kicked in, and fortunately, our background in training and medicine allowed us to provide assistance,” remarked Garguilo.
Upon quick assessment, Garguilo and Moore discovered the elderly man to be conscious but disoriented and bleeding from a fall.
“I believe that having fundamental first aid knowledge is crucial in situations like this where life-saving actions may be necessary,” Garguilo expressed.
Moore added, “Apart from CPR or applying pressure if needed, our abilities are somewhat limited, but our presence alone helped alleviate some of the trauma of the situation.”
The man was able to communicate his residence to the students, which happened to be nearby. Giaccio took the initiative to fetch the man’s wife after alerting emergency services.
“While visibly distressed by her husband’s condition, we were able to offer her solace and support,” shared Moore.
The trio remained with the couple until the arrival of the ambulance, ensuring their safety.
“The training we received through the Hofstra program and at Northwell truly equipped us for such scenarios,” acknowledged Giaccio.
“We managed to stay composed, communicate effectively, and fulfill necessary roles as we assessed the situation,” added Garguilo.
Sabrina Petrillo, interim director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program and assistant professor of nursing, commended the actions of Nick, Joe, and Shannen, stating, “They exemplify the core values of the nurse anesthesia profession as advocated by the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to care have not only left a positive impact on the faculty and their peers but also on the Hofstra community at large. I take immense pride in recognizing them for their invaluable contributions.”
A simple coffee errand led these three students to be at the right place at the right time.