Lower Merion School Staff, First Responders Honored For Saving Student

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Back in February, a Lower Merion School District student had a terrifying medical emergency, but quick thinking by school staff and first responders led the child to make a full recovery.

Bala Cynwyd Middle School student Steven G. suffered cardiac arrest while playing in the school's gym.

School staff who were supervising saw the student collapse and leaped into action.

CPR was administered while the nurse and emergency responders were hailed, according to the district.

Before police and EMTs arrived, school staff had acted so quickly that the student had already been administered four shocks from an automated defibrillator device.

The district said emergency responders gave the student advanced life support while he was taken Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The CHOP emergency doctor who treated the student is an LMSD parent and also praised the staff response, the district said.

Below are Bala Cynwyd Middle School staffers who were commended for their actions at a May 9 ceremony at Narberth Ambulance:

• 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

Lower Merion Police officers who were also honored at the ceremony are Officers Chris Kubik, Officer Mike Theiss, and Officer Mike Rosales.

And lastly, Narberth Ambulance crew members who helped in the incident were Sam Barriskell, Weena Doyle, Pat Glynn, Nick Iezzi, Dan Shaw, and Mark Urbon.

Thanks to the actions of all, the district said Steven is back in school and has recently been cleared to return to participation in physical education classes.

"The collaborative effort by the school's staff members, Lower Merion Police Department and Narberth staff saved this child's life," Narberth Ambulance said.