On a recent overseas flight when a passenger needed medical attention, and a professional did not answer the call, two LSU Health New Orleans medical students jumped into action. Associate Dean for Student Affairs Dr. Cathy Lazarus said she is extremely proud of the first-year students, Heather Duplessis and Lauren Bagneris.
“I’m glad they were on the flight and that they stepped up to help. They do learn some basic clinical skills in their first year so they would have known how to do vital signs and how to at least initially assess the patient,” says Lazarus.
The two were on an overseas flight to Greece when a female passenger became lightheaded and fell on the flight due to low blood sugar and being overheated.
Duplessis and Bagneris were able to stabilize the passenger and communicate with a physician on the ground. Lazarus said they are a fine example of the quality of students they have at the school.
“We have amazing students. They’re excellent students academically, they all work very hard helping the community in a number of ways,” said Lazarus.
The two calmed the passenger and she reportedly felt much better due to the skills and training of the students. Lazarus said Duplessis and Bagneris also just happened to be wearing LSU Health New Orleans sweatshirts on the plane.
“I doubt that was planned; it must have been cold on the plane. I’m glad they pulled those sweatshirts,” said Lazarus.