Polysomnography Students Earn Albany Medical Center Safety Hero Awards

December 2, 2024

Two Hudson Valley Community College Polysomnography students came to the aid of a recently discharged Albany Medical Center patient who had fallen out of his wheelchair, and their good deed and empathy has earned them an Albany Medical Center Patient Safety Hero Award.

Chloe Myers and Kayden Craft were leaving a clinical rotation at Albany Medical Center in late October when they noticed a man near New Scotland Avenue who was lying on the ground and unable to move.

“We were leaving together and saw a woman standing there next to this man, and his wheelchair was on top of him. He was clearly a patient and may have checked himself out. He still had his medical bracelet on,” Craft said.

Both students assessed the situation and the patient’s condition to the best of their ability and stayed with the man until help arrived, even while other bystanders came and went.

A supervisor from the hospital’s ultrasound department was driving home and stopped to inquire about the situation. She called 911 and later nominated the pair for the Patient Safety Hero Award, which is usually given to AMC employees who embody the medical center’s focus on patient safety.

“They asked him a few questions to ensure he was able to communicate and didn’t suffer from a head injury. Both of these young ladies stayed with the gentleman the entire time until help arrived,” the supervisor wrote in her nomination for the honor. Eventually, a City of Albany Fire/EMS crew arrived to assess the situation and transport the patient.

“We didn’t expect any kind of recognition for this because I don’t think either of us would just walk away from a situation like that,” Myers said. “It was just human nature, trying to help.”

Both Myers and Craft are in their second year of the Polysomnography program and will graduate in May. Each said they hope to continue their education in either the Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography certificate programs offered by the college.

“We are very proud of Chloe and Kayden for the compassion and professionalism they demonstrated that day,” said Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine Department Chair Patricia Hyland. “Chloe knew that she would be late for her part-time job if she stayed, but she chose to do the right thing. Our students know that patients always come first. We are thrilled that Albany Med has recognized them with the Safety Hero Award.”

The pair were recognized at a ceremony on Monday, Nov. 25 at the Albany Medical Center.