At the Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital Family Birthing Center in our Cincinnati market, two long-time colleagues recently showed the importance of being there for each other in times of need.
Cherie Melzer, a unit secretary at the birthing center, wasn’t feeling well when she arrived at work.
“I was by myself that morning at my desk by the triage area,” Cherie recalls. “I got up to go to the restroom because I felt like something was wrong. I turned the corner and grabbed ahold of one of the carts in the hallway. I felt like I was going to pass out.”
As Cherie felt herself losing consciousness, David Wise, a security officer at the hospital, entered the scene.
“I was working on a lock issue and something told me to go over to the birthing center registration since I was waiting on maintenance to come up,” David explains. “When I got over to where Cherie sits, I noticed she was staggering away from the door. I asked if she was OK, and she looked back at me and said, ‘Please help me.’”
David’s quick thinking and immediate response were crucial.
“I quickly ran over to her and as she was falling, I caught her and gently laid her down on the floor and called a rapid response,” David recounts. “Staff then showed up and evaluated her and took her to the emergency department, where she was admitted.”
It turned out Cherie had pneumonia and she stayed at Anderson Hospital overnight to recover.
Cherie is deeply grateful for David’s intervention.
“I have known David for 10 years,” she says. “He is a wonderful person and security guard. I feel like God puts people in our lives for a reason, and I am so happy he put David in my life.”
“Cherie and I go way back to when we both worked in the dietary department,” David adds. “Cherie is always upbeat and willing to help anyone. I’m glad I was there to help Cherie when she needed it the most.”
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