| Recipient: | Tracy Mauro, RN, BSN |
|---|---|
| Job Title: | Staff Development Coordinator |
| Employer: | Medical Center of Plano, Plano, Texas |
| Nominated by: | Barbara Swierenga, RN |
|---|---|
| Title: | Staff Nurse, Emergency Department |
| Employer: | Medical Center of Plano, Plano, Texas |
Tracy was on her way home after working late the night of April 12, 2006. Suddenly she encountered a traumatic two-car accident on a busy north Dallas freeway and noticed a man had tumbled out of his vehicle unto the highway. She immediately pulled her jeep over and ran to him. She was just about to lean over to check his pulse when another car zoomed past, nearly hitting Tracy and running over the victim on the road. This car then slammed into the back of a semi parked at the scene.
Tracy ran to get her first aid kit and gloves out of her jeep and rushed to administer aid to the latest victims. By that time the police had arrived. Looking at the traumatic scene, they assumed no one had survived. Undaunted, Tracy checked each person in the second vehicle. The front seat passenger was obviously not a survivor, as he had been partially decapitated. The back seat passenger had no pulse and was slumped over. She was beginning to think the officer was right and there were no survivors, but there was still the driver to check for signs of life. His door was jammed shut and he was slumped over. She shook him and called out, "Are you all right?" Miraculously he opened his eyes. Even though she couldn't reach him, Tracy was there to comfort him, to tell him he was OK. She kept him looking at her to shield him from the terrible sight of his friends. Meanwhile she called to the EMS crew, which had just arrived, that there was someone alive. This victim may not have survived either if it had not been for Tracy's actions. The next morning the news stated his condition was stable.
I would like to recognize Tracy's heroic and dedicated actions that early April morning and nominate her for the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award.
