A doctor from the UK saved a stranger's life after he collapsed and his heart stopped beating at a busy airport in Florida. Elena Sumanariu, who works at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, had just arrived in Miami for a holiday when she found herself at the centre of a life-or-death situation.
Immediate response
The registrar rushed to help, realised the man had no pulse, and immediately began CPR while the airport's emergency team were called to the scene. His heart was restarted with the aid of a defibrillator.
Doctor's account
Elena has now received a letter of thanks from American Airlines' corporate medical director. “Although the situation was unexpected and naturally stressful, my medical training took over, and my response felt almost instinctive,” she said.
“I recognised the emergency, assessed the situation quickly and immediately stepped forward to provide medical assistance while the airport emergency team was mobilised. Being away from my usual clinical environment made the situation quite different from responding to an emergency in hospital, but the fundamental principles of resuscitation remain the same. In that moment, there was very little time to think about anything other than what needed to be done.
“I was very grateful to be in a position to help, and particularly grateful that the outcome was positive.”
Hospital praise
Clinical leader Dr Saba Mahmood, who works for East Kent Hospitals (EKH), says Elena's “quick-thinking, medical expertise and calm response” made a “significant difference”.
“We are incredibly proud that she is a member of the EKH team,” she said. “Her actions are a wonderful example of the compassion, professionalism and dedication that our colleagues demonstrate every day - both inside and outside of the workplace.
“We are extremely proud to work alongside her and delighted to have her as part of our EKH family. Her actions in Miami are a fantastic reminder that the skills and values of our NHS colleagues can make a difference wherever they are needed.”
