Showcasing the critical role of collaboration in emergency care, MetroWest Medical Center held a special recognition event today to honor three Medway Fire Department EMTs whose quick actions helped save the life of a 74-year-old Bellingham man.
The “Call of the Quarter” award presentation reunited the patient, Steve Smith, with the paramedics and hospital staff who worked together to keep him alive after he suffered a sudden heart attack in June.
Smith collapsed at home, and his partner immediately dialed 911. Under the guidance of a trained dispatcher, she began performing CPR until Medway Fire paramedics arrived on the scene. Smith had no pulse and was in full cardiac arrest.
Medway Firefighter Paramedics Nicholas Volz and Patrick Weaver, along with Firefighter EMT Kevin Moreau, worked on Smith for over 20 minutes, ultimately resuscitating him before transporting him to MetroWest Medical Center. There, cardiologist Dr. Christopher Gange performed life-saving surgery to insert two stents into a blocked artery.
“It’s so great to get the chance to thank these people because they deserve recognition.” said a grateful Smith. “I got a chance to tell my kids how much I love them and how proud of them I am and that was something special. This experience at this hospital has been phenomenal, from the doctors to the nurses to the rehab I’m doing now.”
For the EMTs, the reunion was just as meaningful.
“Being able to meet Steve and his family afterwards is pretty incredible,” said Weaver.
Volz also gave credit to Bellingham Fire Department first responders. “We were responding mutual aid, and they had a whole engine company there… they are a big reason why he’s up and talking to us today too,” said Volz. “It’s nice to get this sort of recognition. It’s obviously amazing to get to talk face-to-face after the fact,” he said.
Hospital leaders praised the seamless coordination between first responders and medical staff.
“The Call of the Quarter is an opportunity for us to bring this group back together,” said Metrowest Medical Center CEO Greg McFarland. “It celebrates our partnership with fire and EMS in the region and reminds us how critical that collaboration is in saving lives.”
MetroWest Medical Center formally recognized Weaver, Volz and Moreau for their outstanding service and dedication to the community. The Call of the Quarter award honors first responders for heroic, life-saving measures they take in communities surrounding MetroWest Medical Center.
Find out more about MetroWest Medical Center here: MetroWest Medical Center | Framingham MA | Natick MA
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