Honors Student Awarded Medal as First Responder Hero 2015

Kerry Phelan is member of the Honors Program and the track team at Merrimack College. On Sunday, July 13th, a regular morning run added hero to her list of accomplishments. That day, she encountered an unconscious man on the ground. Mark Tarmey, Athletic Director of the Marblehead High School, had suffered a heart attack while running, and Phelan quickly took action.

Immediately after her arrival, Tarmey’s neighbor Chuck Becker rushed over to help. Kerry recalled, “I began to dial 911 and tried to coach Chuck in as much CPR as I knew, neither of us were certified.” They flagged down another individual for help and the three of them performed CPR until the EMTs arrived to take over. Phelan stated, “As someone who has worked as a secretary on an inpatient unit at MGH for the past 3 years, I was fortunately trained and had experience in being the point person of floor crisis' or "codes," where everyone is running around trying to save the patient.” This experience helped Phelan stay calm during the incident, and direct the two other individuals. Fortunately, with the help of the EMTs, the two other individuals, and Kerry, Tarmey’s life was saved.

In celebration for Phelan’s heroic act, she was recognized as a 2015 First Responder Hero at a Red Cross Banquet. At the banquet, Phelan met Tarmey and his family, and she stated that, “When his wife came up and thanked me with a hug for ‘saving her family’ I realized how much just being there really mattered. As I shook Mark's hand for the very first time, I was truly at a loss for words. I just couldn't believe three ordinary people could have impacted one family that much.” She realized that the day could have had a heartbreaking ending, and she declared that, “We all agreed God was truly with us that day, giving the three of us and Mark strength, that turned one tragic day into something none of us will ever forget.”