Chad Herndon
March 2026
Chad
Herndon
,
BSN, RN, CNOR
OR
Northside Hospital Forsyth
Cumming
,
GA
United States
Without hesitation, S and Chad pulled over to help. They immediately began life-saving measures.
S and Chad happened to ride to work together. What seemed like an ordinary circumstance — one experiencing car trouble and the other offering a ride — turned into something far more significant. On their way in, they came upon a motorcyclist who had been pulled over on the side of the road and was tragically struck by another vehicle.
Without hesitation, S and Chad pulled over to help. They immediately began life-saving measures and contacted the appropriate emergency response teams, doing everything within their power to give the motorcyclist a chance at survival. It may seem coincidental that they were together that morning and happened upon the scene, but in that moment, it felt as though they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Although the motorcyclist ultimately succumbed to their injuries, S and Chad did not waver. They stepped forward without regard for their own safety, demonstrating courage, compassion, and professionalism in the face of tragedy. What stands out just as much is what happened next. When they arrived at work, they checked in with me as they always do — asking how the day was shaping up and whether I needed anything. It was a particularly heavy day in the Vascular department, and they carried on without drawing attention to themselves or the traumatic experience they had just endured.
Later that morning, I spoke with each of them at different times, and they informed me of what happened. My immediate reaction was disbelief — I asked if they were okay and told them I never would have known something so traumatic had just occurred. Both responded simply: “That’s my job.” And they were right — but not in the sense of clocking in and working a shift. Even when they were not officially on duty, they stepped into the responsibility that defines who they are: serving others, taking action when it matters most, and making a difference when every second counts. Their actions that day reflect the very best of our profession and the very best of who they are as individuals. I am incredibly proud to work alongside them!
Without hesitation, S and Chad pulled over to help. They immediately began life-saving measures and contacted the appropriate emergency response teams, doing everything within their power to give the motorcyclist a chance at survival. It may seem coincidental that they were together that morning and happened upon the scene, but in that moment, it felt as though they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Although the motorcyclist ultimately succumbed to their injuries, S and Chad did not waver. They stepped forward without regard for their own safety, demonstrating courage, compassion, and professionalism in the face of tragedy. What stands out just as much is what happened next. When they arrived at work, they checked in with me as they always do — asking how the day was shaping up and whether I needed anything. It was a particularly heavy day in the Vascular department, and they carried on without drawing attention to themselves or the traumatic experience they had just endured.
Later that morning, I spoke with each of them at different times, and they informed me of what happened. My immediate reaction was disbelief — I asked if they were okay and told them I never would have known something so traumatic had just occurred. Both responded simply: “That’s my job.” And they were right — but not in the sense of clocking in and working a shift. Even when they were not officially on duty, they stepped into the responsibility that defines who they are: serving others, taking action when it matters most, and making a difference when every second counts. Their actions that day reflect the very best of our profession and the very best of who they are as individuals. I am incredibly proud to work alongside them!