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On Friday, May 5th the Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized nurse Bethany Simmons-Little from Community Health of South Florida, Inc. with Lifesaving Awards for using lifesaving skills to save a life.
Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress—wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.
On February 18, 2021, Bethany Simmons-Little was called into a classroom where she found a teacher unresponsive with her eyes opened and no pulse. “It is very hard to find yourself in a situation like that,” said Simmons-Little. “The school was counting on me to save this woman’s life.” She rapidly began chest compressions as a police officer utilized the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). When paramedics arrived, they determined the teacher had a massive heart attack and was admitted to the ICU at Jackson South Hospital and is slowly recovering. After a successful surgery, she remains stable and alert. “I am so thankful that I can be of help for those at Leisure City K-8 School to keep our next generations well and healthy,” said Simmons-Little.
Due to the quick actions of this school-based nurse, she was able to save a life.
For her incredible act of service and quick actions, Bethany Simmons-Little has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This award is bestowed upon individuals who step up during a time of emergency to alleviate suffering and save or sustain a life.
The recipient was awarded the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action during a celebration held at the Leisure City K-8 School attended by colleagues, family and Red Cross staff.
“We are proud to honor Bethany for her heroic actions. Her quick response and training prepared her for this moment, and we hope others will be inspired to learn the same lifesaving skills,” said Deborah Koch, executive director for the Chapter. “Our community is stronger when we have more people who are trained and ready to act.”
Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed.
A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
Nominate Someone
If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/
