Two medical students are being praised by the president of Louisiana State University and the mayor of New Orleans for giving emergency aid to a fellow passenger while on a flight to New York.
The students, Lauren Bagneris and Heather Duplessis, stepped up when it counted on a flight in June. The pair was bound for Greece to celebrate the end of their first year at LSU Health, NOLA.com reported.
"Greece has been like a bucket list thing," Duplessis said.
"I was really just excited to relax with my sisters and with Heather, of course, so we could have a great time and see a beautiful country," Bagneris said.
The first part of their trip took them to New York, where they were catching a connecting flight. It was on the first leg of their journey where a passenger overheated and fell.
The flight crew called for help, but when no one answered, Duplessis and Bagneris answered the call after realizing no medical professionals were on board the flight.
"I can't say it was an adrenaline rush," Duplessis said. "We both were level-headed and calm in the situation."
"You go into 'fight or flight,' and you're jumping into action," Bagneris said. "We were called to do this. We assessed the situation to make sure we had the scope of knowledge in the situation."
Others took a photo of the two as they were helping the passenger having the medical emergency, and it has now gone viral online with more than 6 million views.
It has also captured the attention of the school, city, and state officials, who all recognized Bagneris and Duplessis.
"I want to thank you for stepping up and doing what you did," William Tate IV, LSU's new president, said.
"On behalf of New Orleans, let me tell you something," Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. "You've made us so proud. You are truly an inspiration."
Bagneris and Duplessis said that this was what they were called to do.
"I learned you can't take your education for granted no matter what you're doing," Bagneris said.
"It gave me appreciation for those late nights and early mornings that I experienced throughout the year," Duplessis said. "And just knowing it's all for a reason."
If the opportunity were to arise again, the two said they would react the same again.
Federal privacy laws do not allow for the students to reach out to the passenger, but they hope she is okay and want to thank her for trusting them to help care for her.
When it comes to those who want to go into the medical field, they have a message: It can be difficult at times, but never give up because the work will pay off.