Emergency responders from Narberth Ambulance honored staff members from Bala Cynwyd Middle School whose quick actions saved the life of an 11-year-old student who suffered a cardiac arrest in February while playing basketball in the gym before school. 

The student, Steven G., and his grateful family also attended the recognition ceremony, which was held May 9, 2023, at the Narberth Ambulance Headquarters in Ardmore. Steven is back in school and has recently been cleared to return to participation in PE classes. 

Chief of Operations Christopher Flanagan praised the school team's preparedness and expertise, including CPR training and the availability of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), along with their coordination and calm during the 11-year-old student's medical emergency.

PE and Health teachers, who were supervising the game, saw the student collapse, quickly alerted the school nurse, began CPR and called 9-1-1, all while keeping other students calm and out of the way. Chief Flanagan noted that by the time emergency responders, including Lower Merion Township Police, arrived, the school team had administered four shocks with the AED.

The emergency responders were able to administer advanced life support while transporting the student to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The CHOP emergency doctor who treated Steven is an LMSD parent and also praised the staff response. 

The BCMS staff members honored were: 

• Christine O’Connell (Nurse)
• Harry Mobley (Campus Aide)
• Noelle Samulewicz (6th grade teacher) 
• Donna Price (Gym Teacher)  
• Mike Isackman (Custodian)
• John Alison (Custodian)
• Adam Miller (Gym Teacher)
• Matthew Stinson (Gym Teacher)
• Mary Clary (School Nurse)
• Craig Martin (6th grade teacher) 
• Collin Whiteside (Gym Teacher)
• Nick Allen (Assistant Principal)

Click though the slide show below for photos from the recognition event.