COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – An individual from Texas A&M University engaged in a life-saving act by administering CPR to a patient at St. Joseph’s Health College Station Hospital.
Richard Monks, a Texas A&M student and a Certified CPR volunteer at St. hospital, dedicates his Friday afternoons to this noble cause.
In an interview with KBTX, Monks recounted the events that led to his heroic intervention.
The incident unfolded with a sudden code blue alarm blaring through the ER speakers, prompting a swift response from the medical staff. Monks vividly described the chaotic scene, stating, “A code blue alarm went off, which in the ER, it’s on the speakers, it’s a loud voice that says code blue. You know when it happens because everyone jumps up in the ER and goes wherever the code blue is happening. I stepped up, I got in on the rotation, it came to me, it was my turn to do CPR, and I was giving compressions. Their pulse eventually came back and they started breathing, and I could stop doing CPR.”
Reflecting on the experience, Monks expressed the profound impact it had on him, fueling his desire to effect positive change in the world. He shared, “It was quite an adrenaline rush, and afterward, you really do feel good about yourself and you think ‘A person gets to walk around another day on this planet because of something that I helped with.’”
This transformative experience further solidified Monks’ aspiration to pursue a career as a surgeon. He highlighted the value of gaining firsthand exposure to the medical field by working in a hospital setting, stating, “I thought it would be good for me to go work in a hospital, get experience, see what the doctors do on a day-to-day basis.”
William Shaw, the Volunteer Services Manager at St. Joseph, emphasized the inclusive nature of the volunteer program, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the hospital’s mission. Shaw underscored the range of opportunities available to volunteers, from assisting in critical care units to providing companionship and support to patients.
With over 600 active volunteers, predominantly comprising students, St. Joseph Hospital offers a platform for individuals to engage in meaningful interactions with patients and gain valuable insights into healthcare professions. Shaw highlighted the profound impact of volunteering on aspiring healthcare professionals, noting, “Every semester or every year, I have students who will email me or text message me and say ‘Hey I got accepted into medical school, thank you for the opportunity to be able to be a volunteer with St. Joseph Health.’”
St. Joseph Health encourages aspiring volunteers to explore the diverse opportunities within the program, emphasizing the transformative power of service and patient interaction in shaping future healthcare leaders.
For more information on volunteering opportunities, interested individuals can visit St. Joseph Health’s website.
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