Medical Students Honored for Saving Jogger’s Life

CHICAGO --- Five first-year Feinberg School of Medicine students, who saved the life of a jogger in Lake Shore Park, were honored for their actions Monday night by the Lake Shore Park Association Council, 2^nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s office and community groups.

Students Jessica Quaggin-Smith, Carla Berkowitz, Max Kazer, Sneha Goswami and Krish Suresh performed CPR on a jogger in cardiac distress in Lake Shore Park on April 25. They attributed their quick actions -- the first time they performed CPR in a real-life situation -- to a basic life support course they took during the first week of medical school at Feinberg. 

David Kostelansky, president of the park council who arranged the event, commended the students for their actions and recognized the great partnership between the students, the University and the community.

Hopkins said he introduced a congratulatory resolution to the Chicago City Council in recognition of the students’ acts, which will be adopted on Wednesday.

“You are students at one of the finest teaching hospitals anywhere in the country, but what they can’t teach you is to have that instantaneous reaction that you had on this day,” Hopkins said. “It’s innate. You guys clearly had that. You’re in the right profession.  I commend you for that.”

Hopkins then quipped, “I had the opportunity to practice CPR on a mannequin (in a program sponsored by the Chicago Fire Department), and my mannequin died.” He vowed to learn CPR at Northwestern in case he has to help someone in distress.

The students also received recognition from SOAR (Streeterville Organization of Active Residents), The Magnificent Mile Association and community businesses.