Katrina Stefanik shown here running the Rehoboth half marathon and in scrubs at LGH
When Katrina Stefanik, RN, BSN, a cardiac and vascular nurse at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital (LGH) set out to run the Rehoboth, Delaware half-marathon, she had no idea she would be putting her life-saving skills and knowledge into practice.
Stefanik, who celebrated her third anniversary at LGH in March 2022, ran the Rehoboth half marathon on Dec. 4, 2021. This was the second half-marathon that she completed, but this race was special since she was running it on her 28th birthday. She is an avid runner and knows the benefits of cardio, specifically for heart health.
About four miles into the 13-mile race, Stefanik rounded a corner to see people hovering around a fellow runner lying unconscious on the pavement. She immediately burst into action as the surrounding runners and crowd seemed frazzled, not knowing how to help.
Stefanik and another nurse began chest compressions on the runner. As Stefanik prepared to begin mouth-to-mouth, EMS arrived with a defibrillator and safety equipment to continue CPR.
“I was holding his head in my hands and thought, ‘He looks so young.’ He reminded me of my dad,” said Stefanik.
As the EMS team continued care and the man slowly awakened, she asked: “Can you hear me? Can you see me?” He answered “yes.”
After they determined the runner was in stable condition, the EMS workers guided the man off the race track to continue his care while Stefanik carried on – finishing the last eight miles of her half marathon.
“When working in cardiovascular care and the operating room, there are so many variables that can change on a dime. You have to be prepared for whatever that patient may need,” said Stefanik. “Our jobs prepare us for the unexpected.”
In the weeks following the race, Stefanik connected with the man she helped save on race day – a police officer from New Jersey. “My job is to keep others safe,” he said. “I never thought I would be the one in need of help.”
The two plan to see each other the next time they are both back at Rehoboth Beach.
Stefanik credits her parents for inspiring her to pursue a career in health care. Her mother, Deborah Stefanik, also works at LGH and has been a respiratory therapist for 35 years.