A quick-thinking Penn Medicine cardiovascular technician recently stepped into action during a medical emergency on her way home from work, helping a man in his hour of need.
Nilda Prensa, of Pennsylvania Hospital, was on the phone with her husband, walking back home after working at PAH’s Heart Station. Among the people walking nearby, she noticed an older man who was moving slower than those around him. Moments later, he collapsed onto the sidewalk.
Prensa, still in her scrubs, rushed to the man’s side, ending her call and quickly dialing 911. He had hit his head and was bleeding from the impact. His eyes were open, but he was unresponsive.
She searched his belongings to find his name, shouting it until he responded. When he answered, he asked Prensa to call his wife to let her know what had happened. While waiting for the ambulance, Prensa took an extra shirt out of her bag – typically worn to the gym, but she decided not to go that day – and placed it under his head for comfort. Prensa stayed with him until he was transported to a hospital, making sure that he was safe and could be further treated for his fall.
“In my nearly 19 years at PAH, I’ve never experienced an incident like this outside of the hospital,” said Prensa. “I feel incredibly thankful that I could be there for him. I was in the right place at the right time.”
Danielle Heffner, MHA, BBA, director of Program Development and Service Line Integration for Heart & Vascular Services at PAH, said that even though it happened off-the-clock, the incident is an example of the kindness that Prensa brings to her work. “Nilda displayed such compassion to this gentleman and put her clinical training to good use. We’re very proud that she was there to help him.”
At Penn Medicine, we all aspire to be Difference Makers who represent the Penn Medicine Experience (PMX) in action.
PMX sets a consistent standard across all of our entities and work locations to make every touchpoint an opportunity to build enduring connections with patients, families, visitors and colleagues, which is a foundational part of the UPHS Success Share program.