August 13, 2018 – Rita Warren, R.N., doesn’t really think of
herself as a hero--but Kelly Davis will always think of Warren as one
of her personal heroes. And as a result of Warren’s swift action
to assist Davis during a cardiac arrest incident, the American Red Cross
recently honored her as a Hometown Hero.
The life-saving incident took place during a trip to visit her family in
Macon, Georgia. Warren and her family were dining at the Metro Diner when
she realized Davis was in distress. Rachel Applegate, also a nurse, had
already realized the serious situation unfolding and began CPR. Warren
identified herself as a nurse and offered to help, taking over and providing
a break for Applegate. Working together, Warren and Applegate alternated
applying chest compressions for almost nine minutes, keeping Davis alive
until the EMTs arrived on scene.
“Staying up to date with my CPR has always been one of my priorities,”
says Warren, practice manager at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Gastroenterology
in Brunswick. “I was just in the right place at the right time.”
As a community leader in emergency preparedness, prevention and response,
the American Red Cross honors individuals and organizations whose extraordinary
acts of courage and kindness make them Real Heroes. This year, although
Warren and Applegate don’t consider themselves heroes, they were
two of 14 Central Midwest Georgia community members who received the “Hometown
Heroes Award.” The annual award acknowledges men and women who exemplified
the ideals of the American Red Cross by serving those around them and
their profession above and beyond the call of duty.
Thankfully, because of two strangers’ quick actions, Davis is alive
and doing well.