Dr. Chris Solaro, Chief Medical Officer, received a Who’s Your Angel nomination from fellow employee Michelle Zech, Administration. Brian Canfield, President-CEO, presented the Who’s Your Angel award on August 9.
Michelle stated, “Normal day in Administration - I was in my office working and decided to have a little meat stick for a snack. While I was chewing I happened to breathe in and a piece of the meat stick lodged in my esophagus, closing off my ability to take a breath in order to get it out. Without being able to breathe, I made my way to the Executive Assistant's desk and using hand gestures showed her that I was choking. She finally understood and tried to give me the Heimlich maneuver, it didn't work. At that point, Dr. Solaro, who just happened by chance to be in Brian Canfield's office, overheard my coworker and came rushing out to see what was going on. Dr. Solaro immediately took charge and had to perform the Heimlich maneuver three times in order to dislodge the particle. There was no hesitation on his part, he could see the panic on my face. If he would not have been there and jumped to action, I can only think of the outcome that would have occurred and I may not be here to place this nomination! I can't thank Dr. Solaro enough for being there for me that day! He is truly My Angel! The importance of us all knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver or give CPR is so important - not just in the clinical setting but in settings at home where these stories play out, and if there are not trained individuals to step in, the outcomes may not be positive. I can't stress that enough!”
The “Who’s Your Angel” program is an opportunity for patients and their families to express their appreciation to anyone in the Health System who had a positive influence in their healthcare experience. When the donor makes a financial gift of any size in the name of the employee and writes up a story sharing the experience, the Foundation deposits the gift to the patient care area or restricted fund that most closely matches the employee(s) being honored or the reason for the patient’s time with the Health System. This donation was deposited to the Emergency Center Fund. One hundred percent of Foundation gifts are designated to caring for patients in need.
Any staff member can be nominated for a Who’s Your Angel award, and nomination forms can be found in a surplus of Health System departments from Palmyra to Hannibal, Pittsfield, to Golden and more! For more information regarding the “Who’s Your Angel” program, or giving of any kind to Blessing Health System, contact the Blessing Foundation at 217-223-8400, Ext. 4800, or go online to blessinghealth.org/angel