Jennifer Hutchinson was in Williamstown, KY, for the weekend. Jennifer and her sister take a trip every year with their mother to celebrate Mother's Day. They planned a peaceful and calm weekend, complete with grilling out and kayaking on the lake. Little did they know that the peace and quiet of this lake community would be shattered by a terrible accident.
 
Jennifer and her family were inside their cottage when they heard what they thought were children playing down the street. Their windows were open. When the screams from down the street became clearer, they realized that someone was frantically calling for help.

They discovered M, who had fallen from the roof of their home onto a concrete pad, and he was in serious condition. Jennifer is a former trauma nurse of nearly 20 years and she sprung into action. She asked her sister to call 911 while she went around to the back of the house to assess M. What she found was horrifying. M must have lost his balance on the roof and fell head-first. He was bleeding badly from a wound on his head, and he was in a state of semi-consciousness. Jennifer knew from her years of experience that she needed to stabilize his neck and torso to prevent further injury, and she calmly attended to M while more help arrived.

Jennifer took control of the scene, and her sister was on the phone with 911, relaying information on M's condition based on Jennifer's medical assessment. I quickly asked Jennifer what I could do to help, and she calmly gave me directions on how to help keep M's torso and legs stable until the life squad arrived. Jennifer did not leave his side and maintained a firm hold of his neck while I tried to prevent him from trying to get up. Jennifer was asking M questions (his name, birthday, etc) to try to assess his mental status. She was an absolute rock in a time of chaos.

Even when the life squad arrived, Jennifer maintained control of the scene. She was directing the life squad personnel on how to properly install the neck brace and how to best move M to a backboard. She absolutely took charge of the situation and ensured M's safety while he was moved to a stretcher and taken by life flight to a trauma center. She offered to drive us to the hospital and made sure that my wife and I were not too shaken to make the drive ourselves.

I am 100% certain that had it not been for Jennifer's quick action, skill, and intervention M would not be here with us today. M suffered a traumatic brain injury and has a long road to recovery, but doctors have shared that he was very close to passing that evening. M damaged a vertebral artery in the back of his head, and if it had not been stabilized by Jennifer's actions, it would have burst, and the pressure from the bleeding would have ended his life.

What are the odds of her being there that weekend, having her windows open, hearing the screams for help, rushing to provide aid, and having the skills needed to save M's life?

We are truly blessed to know Jennifer. She is a shining example of what I believe the medical industry strives for. This unfortunate accident has changed our lives, but it has also given us renewed faith in the kindness of people. Jennifer has been unselfish in giving of herself and her experience as a health care professional. I have called her M's "Angel on Earth" and continue to be amazed at how important she has become in M's life, given that she was a complete stranger just a month ago.

I have felt completely helpless during the last month, contemplating what more we can do to help M and his family. However, I have complete faith in knowing that Jennifer and her contributions to our lives have been irreplaceable. I vowed to the family that I would do everything I could to recognize her efforts, so I would love to honor her with a nomination for the DAISY Award. I am hopeful that will provide a fraction of the payback for what she has selflessly done for us.